Hear My Prayer (2011)
By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog.
The contemporary gospel sensibility found on the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir’s self-released Hear My Prayer bears witness to the work of another Bay Area contemporary ensemble, the Hawkins Family.
In fact, it’s difficult to listen to the choir’s version of “I Can Change,” or fellow Californian Margaret Pleasant Douroux’s “Give Me a Clean Heart,” and not hear echoes of the majestic sweep of Edwin Hawkins’ Northern California State Youth Choir.
But as meaty, polished and well-trained as the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir is, the CD belongs just as much to its talented lead singers. In particular, Carmen Jones on “Give Me a Clean Heart” and Keziah Buggs on the Gaithers’ “There’s Something About That Name” pepper their solos with blue notes and gospel runs that provide marvelous counterpoint to the smooth, booming tones of the choir.
Terrance Kelly, who directs the multi-cultural, multi-denominational chorus, pulls a roomful of sound out of the ensemble, especially on the rolling “All That I Need.”
Not a one-trick pony, the OIGC just as easily launches into a cappella arrangements of “Ev’rytime I Feel the Spirit and the late Moses Hogan’s hymnic “Hear My Prayer.” Upon hearing Hogan’s dynamically stunning track, one can only wonder what other greatness he would have produced had he lived to a ripe old age. Meanwhile, on the standard “Great is Thy Faithfulness,” Kelly channels J. Robert Bradley in his muscular operatic lead.
The Benediction, sung by the choir and led in spoken word by Pastor George Cummings, could easily be subtitled “Funky Benediction,” with the wah-wah guitars in the background.
Hear My Prayer is a capably-produced, superbly-wrought work and no doubt captures the live spirit of the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir with fidelity.
Four of Five Stars
Picks: “Give Me a Clean Heart,” “Hear My Prayer.”
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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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The OIGC is at the peak of it’s evolution personified in this new cd!
It is a pleasure for me to listen to this CD in the morning when I rise and in evening before I go to sleep. The overall recording quality and sound of the choir along with soloists is absolutely wonderful. I will be giving the CD as a gift to friends — it’s just that wonderful.