Marian Elaine Blair – Songs of Deliverance

Marian Elaine Blair
Songs of Deliverance
Marian Elaine Blair 2011
http://www.marianelaineblair.com/

By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog.

Songs of Deliverance – part live, part studio-produced – is the third release from Marian Elaine Blair, a psalmist whose ministry began on the streets of Washington DC, feeding the homeless.

A flatfooted singer, Blair doesn’t possess a pretty voice – hers is a raspy, aggressive sound – but what she has, she uses to get her message across. And in gospel, as in pop, rock and folk, aggressive is often more effective.

Blair is supported on her project by three background vocalists whose strong harmonies and sheer volume give the impression there are more than three in the ensemble. Likewise, the three musicians have a density of performance style that suggest a full band.

The songs are melodic, Scripture-based, and musically exploratory. If pressed, however, I would say they are rooted in a contemporary pop sound. For example, “Choose Ye This Day,” led by Kimberly Blair-Jones, is dramatic and orchestral, with a high tin whistle that gives the arrangement a Celtic feeling. The lead single, “He’s Got to Have His Way” finds Blair and company employing urban R&B electronica with a contrapuntal choral arrangement. “God’s Got Good Love” has a pre-Beatles girl group vibe, as if the Supremes decided to do a pop-gospel number (they did, but not until 1968).

“Under the Blue” is another selection on Songs of Deliverance that, like the single, possesses a fine melody, though the vibe here is more contemplative and prayerful. It’s the simple praise and worship ballad, “Praise the Lord,” that tugs at the small-but-mighty live audience. The accompanying DVD, a live performance of five of the album’s songs, confirms this, as singers and audience are caught in emotional spiritual bliss.

The most lyrically inventive of the project is the concluding piece, “The Rapture.” Interpolating the spiritual “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” at the beginning, the song chronicles the Rapture both from its Biblical origins and from its impact on contemporary life.

One thing’s sure: while Marian Elaine Blair’s message is consistent, she isn’t afraid to mix it up musically.

Three of Five Stars

Picks: “Under the Blue,” “He’s Got to Have His Way.”