God Did That Thing
Bishop Bobby Hilton & Word of Deliverance Mass Choir
BVHilton Records 2009
www.goddidthatthing.com

If his new live project, God Did That Thing, is any indication, Forest Park, Ohio’s Bishop Bobby Hilton is no one-hit wonder.

Hilton and the Word of Deliverance Mass Choir’s single, “God Did That Thing,” is just one example of a project brimming with powerful choir performances, fueled further with prominent guest appearances by Dorothy Norwood (on the title track) and Twinkie Clark, among others.

The mass choir is traditional-leaning, complete with shouting leads and fortissimo harmonizing backed by walking electric bass lines, snarling bluesy guitars and booming drums. They deliver dramatic anthems with slow, simmering energy like Shekinah Glory Ministry. Listen to “Holy,” which reverberates with silent power right up to Wendi Henderson-Wyatt’s final high note as the song goes from a minor to major key. Then they make Henderson-Wyatt hit that stratospheric note once again during the reprise. Similarly, “Lord, You Deserve the Glory” has the flavor of a Hawkins Family performance.

For those who prefer uptempo choir songs, Word of Deliverance Mass Choir offers up a “Church Medley” that includes congregational favorites such as “What He’s Done for Me,” Calvin White’s “Long as I Got King Jesus,” and the special section of Ricky Dillard’s choir workout “More Abundantly.” Hilton and the group pay tribute to Charles Fold by reprising the latter’s “Never Will I Turn Back.” Their force-of-nature energy throughout this tambourine-pounder made me think I was listening to Chicago’s Dr. Charles G. Hayes and the Warriors.

Bishop Hilton and Twinkie Clark trade hard-shouting leads on the cleverly-titled “Lord, Help Me Keep My Yes,” which by the end is the clear congregation pleaser. In fact, a couple of times during the project, the spirit was so high and the drums rolling with such anticipation that I expected the live recording to erupt into a Holy Ghost praise free-for-all. But if it happened, it wasn’t caught on mic.

This is a spectacular CD with one brilliant performance after another. Those who enjoyed the 1970s and 1980s mass choir LPs presented by James Cleveland, you’ll enjoy God Did That Thing.

Four of Four Stars

2 Comments

  1. Anonymous March 1, 2009 at 1:29 am - Reply

    This CD Project is a wonder and a testament to the Glory of God. It is the idea worship CD for all of you who enjoy entering into the Presences of the Lord early in the morning (5:00 a.m.). Just try to get away from track #3 Holy as you spend time adoring God. Try not to think about everything that God has brought you through as you listen to ‘Lord, Help Me Keep My Yes’. This will truly bless you.

    Dr. Edwards

  2. Anonymous May 21, 2010 at 2:09 am - Reply

    I wish you could come and sing at temple church in nashville.

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Written by : Bob Marovich

Bob Marovich is a gospel music historian, author, and radio host. Founder of Journal of Gospel Music blog (formally The Black Gospel Blog) and producer of the Gospel Memories Radio Show.