Jennifer Mekel and Friends“Destiny” Live
Power of Word and Music Ministries (2012)
By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog
Jennifer Mekel duets with skilled producer H. Doobie Powell on Powell’s “It Won’t Work.” The single is the energetic and joyful opening number for Mekel’s “Destiny” Live.
A singer since her toddler days, Mekel is a licensed and ordained minister whose church home is the Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Akron, Ohio, where she serves in pastoral care, worship, and administration. “Destiny” Live, which appears to be her solo debut album, covers eight songs—all but two written by Mekel herself—and several instrumental preludes and postludes.
An electrifying version of the gospel hymn “Pass Me Not” finds Mekel in a duet with Pastor Melford Elliott, a powerful traditional singer in his own right. The old-fashioned church wrecker with a dash of contemporary gospel flavoring at the end had the desired emotional effect on the live recording audience.
Despite her almost effortless singing on “Pass Me Not,” Mekel’s sweet spot appears to be jazz-inflected praise songs. Her strongest performances are heard on the smooth and peaceful “You Are Good,” “Debt of Gratitude”—a Kurt Carr, Walter Hawkins, and Hezekiah Walker composition—and the concluding “Sometimes Speechless.” “You Are Good” demonstrates just how close musically gospel and jazz are to one another (saxophonist Harold Rayford calls them first cousins).
On his piano solo to close out “Psalm 34,” Eddie Brown has the keys all but preaching to the audience. Kevin Powell’s B3 prelude to “Pass Me Not” is muscular and acrobatic. In-demand guitarist Jonathan Dubose, Jr. is also present in the band.
Mekel demonstrates decent vocal range and successfully navigates all but a few of the musical passages. Sometimes she veers into uncertain territory, a casualty of the physical demands of a live performance. Also, the loping “Pass Me Not” would have worked best had it been positioned as the next to last song on the album, instead of the second, because of the energy it generated. Still, on “Destiny” Live, one hears a fine female singer with the capacity to get even better with her next solo album.
Three of Five Stars
Picks: “It Won’t Work,” “Pass Me Not.”
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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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My favorite was the Gratitude medley with Hawkins, Carr & Walker compositions. I will have to check the other highlights you had listed.
I love that I can play the entire CD and enjoy every song! This is an amazing project!
I love that I can listen to the entire CD, every song is great! This is an amazing project!
I have heard her sing live and it truly was a blessing, I can’t wait for a concert!
I absolutely love Jennifer Mekel’s CD. I do not get tired of listening to it. I love the variety of the songs and the lyrics. This CD truely blesses my soul!
Jennifer Mekel is a exceptionally artistic psalmist. I heard her in Hartford Connecticut. She took us straight into His presence. This sister is anointed and Destiny Live has delivered healing to my body and soul as I listened to it. To God be the glory! This CD is a HIT!!! Get it TODAY!
Great CD! I love it. Thank you Mekel!
Thank you for your music and ministry. I heard you in tenn this year. Where have you been hiding? The world needs to hear you.
Your music is wonderful!
Awesome CD!! I LOVE IT!!!!