Hans Christian PresentsOpstand Gospel Choir feat. Fred Hammond
You Are
The Gospel Company (2009)
By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog
Ever since Mahalia Jackson and Chicago’s First Church of Deliverance Choir introduced Northern Europe and Scandinavia to gospel music in the 1950s and 1960s, home-grown gospel choirs have taken root.
The Oslo Gospel Choir, the Stavanger Gospel Company, and Hans Christian Jochimsen’s Opstand Gospel Choir are three of a plethora of performing groups that have adapted American gospel music to the strictures of formal European liturgical worship.
The Oslo Gospel Choir, the Stavanger Gospel Company, and Hans Christian Jochimsen’s Opstand Gospel Choir are three of a plethora of performing groups that have adapted American gospel music to the strictures of formal European liturgical worship.
Hans Christian and the Opstand Gospel Choir scored a major coup recently when they landed Fred Hammond as a guest soloist on its latest recording, You Are. The multicultural collaboration arguably sounds less unusual than it might have years ago, largely because of the tremendous influence that CCM praise and worship has exerted on gospel music, especially among church choirs.
This touch of gritty gospel comes not only through Hammond’s meaty vocals, but through featured soloists Priscilla Jones and Mark Taylor, and the prowess of organist Bobby Sparks and rest of the crack musicians. Horns and strings add the icing to the musical cake. “I Have Just Heard a Song,” the bluesy “There Is No Place,” I’ve Been Changed,” “Do You Know,” and the title track, the latter two featuring Hammond, all have this deep groove. Indeed, Hans Christian’s songwriting sounds influenced by Hammond in its blend of melody, rhythm, and praise lyrics.
At the same time, the choir does deliver CCM-style ballads. “Thank You,” “You Are My Friend,” and “Just My Hands,” with Maren Flotve Reme on lead, are lilting waves of sound.
As well respected as Hans Christian Jochimsen is in Europe, his music is difficult to get in the States. A copy of You Are is best secured through his website: www.hanschristianpresents.com.
Note: Check out TBGB’s interview with Hans Christian here.
Four of Five Stars
Pick: “You Are.”
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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.
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His music is extremely difficult to find also in Europe, even in Scandinavia. I hope this thing will change in the future! So far his website is almost the only way to get these great records.