Muyiwa & RiversongzLive at the Apollo
By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog.
For their new project, Live at the Apollo, Muyiwa & Riversongz spirit the audience on a world tour of praise and worship.
One clarification: the Apollo where the group performed was not the NYC landmark but the Hammersmith Apollo Theater in London
The live program opened with Pandit Dinesh’s Indian drone and chant on “The Name of the Lord.” Michele Chueng sung in Mandarin Chinese on “Holy Holy Holy.” Muyiwa sang in French during the “African Medley,” which in its vibrant repetition was the most rhythmic piece on a generally rhythmic project. On the other hand, the pop-rock “Hey Ya” and “Glory to God” fell more squarely within Riversongz’ multi-genre style, as did their arrangement of “The Lord’s Prayer.”
Throughout the program, the group performed spirited songs from their Declaring His Name All Around the World project, including the contemporary “Here and Real,” and the rock steady “Jehovah Jireh.” Unlike many live albums these days, some mikes were trained on the more than 5,000 in attendance, whose enjoyment and appreciation contributed greatly to the project’s overall ambiance.
Although not as well known in the U.S. , Muyiwa, from Africa, is popular throughout his home continent, as well as in Europe and the UK. He i s the host of award-winning programs Gospel Tonight and Worship Tonight on UK
Three of Five Stars
Picks: “Here and Real,” “African Medley.”
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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