Jesus Is Alive – Karen Washington & the New Singing Stars

Karen Washington & the New Singing Stars
Jesus is Alive
Dream Reality Records (2008)
http://www.klwashington.com/

Turn your car radio to the AM band while riding in the south or southeast portions of the U.S., and you’re likely to hear gospel music, quartet in particular. It’s the kind in which Karen Washington and the New Singing Stars specialize: traditional quartet with a contemporary flair.

Song after song, your car radio will deliver male quartets and female quartets, but on Washington and the New Singing Stars’ Jesus Is Alive, you have what is essentially a male quartet fronted by a female vocalist. The album contains plenty of meat and potatoes singing and lyricism – the running theme is that no matter what, everything is going to be all right if you trust in Jesus – with Washington’s trebly-sweet Diana Ross-like soprano front and center.

The album’s overall vibe is upbeat and pleasant, with “Time to Pray” the high-spirited church-wrecker. Washington’s rendition of “Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross” tees up her follow-up CD, Singing the Hymns, which was released last year. “Mama Song,” a bonus track, is a Mother’s Day programmer’s blessing because it gives mothers their props: “I give you your flowers while you live.”

Karen Washington and the New Singing Stars have been nominated for three 2011 Rhythm of Gospel Awards: Quartet CD of the Year (for Singing the Hymns), Female Quartet Group of the Year and Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year.

Three of Five Stars

Pick: “Time to Pray.”