“Mercy”
James Ingram
From the CD Stand (In the Light)
Music One/WEA 2008
www.jamesingramsmusic.com
“Mercy” is a blues-soaked song with inspirational lyrics rendered by smooth-as-silk balladeer James Ingram. That’s it. Ingram doesn’t attempt whatsoever to change his style to sound more “gospel” in his delivery. It’s the warm sound you have come to know and love from the man with the million dollar voice.
And that’s precisely what makes “Mercy” work. It’s a song with a spiritual message, and you can (slow) dance to it.
Mind you, Ingram does add just a dash of downhome soulfulness, because after all, the song is a plea to Jesus to show mercy on a sorrowful sinner. And it sounds as if that sinner’s done something big time wrong and needs forgiveness yesterday. Other than that, singer, melody and arrangement are all straight out of the Ingram library.
Ingram has added yet another music chart to his collection, since as of this writing, “Mercy,” from his brand new inspirational album called Stand (In the Light), has just entered the Radio & Records Gospel Singles chart.
What else does this guy have in the way of gospel music? If I didn’t know better I would think I was in the mid 60s listening to many of the lush vocals of many Motown stars as they did their best gospel. This cut is truly anointed and blessed!
Hi — I believe this is James Ingram’s first major inspirational/gospel recording, although his PR reps said it is something he has wanted to do for a long time.