Pastor Christopher Chappell & Grace Community Christian Church – Blessing Me

Pastor Christopher Chappell & Grace Community Christian Church
Blessing Me
Sho’Nuff Gospel Records 2009
www.gracecommunity1.org

Grace Community Christian Church is touted as one of the fastest growing churches in Atlanta and having one of the top choirs in the region. Blessing Me is an opportunity for the rest of the country to check out the sounds emanating from the Anointed Voices of Grace and the angel of the house, Pastor Christopher Chappell.

Like many of today’s gospel ensemble albums, Blessing Me provides the listener with a passing parade of styles, from praise and worship to traditional and contemporary. Wanda Faye Shaw and Steven Hickerson direct the mainly female Anointed Voices of Grace, a solid, full-throated, capable and vocally muscular group. They bounce along with the funky bass groove and horn-driven title track and current single, and do the “Grace Shuffle” on the mid-tempo hand-clapper “Thank You Lord.”

The songs focus on praise, worship and encouragement, with the choir’s rendition of JJ Hairston’s “In Your Favor” promising that He will take care of all your problems, including finances and bad marriages.

During the traditional section, vocalist Latonya Jones leads the classic “Jesus, I’ll Never Forget” through an uptempo arrangement that has what Pastor Chappell calls “that Pentecostal Church of God in Christ, foot-stomping…old girl from Mississippi” feel. Another talented female songster, Willette Gatlin, soars on the slower “Jesus Never Fails.”

The album’s finest moment is when tough-singing lead Wanda Faye Shaw blueses up “I Believe,” declaring “God will do what He says He will do” with the declarative authority of a disciple. The CD concludes with a fine rap version of “I Believe,” courtesy of Rev. Thomas Beavers and witty support from the choir.

As Pastor Chappell announces towards the end, Blessing Me is a “praise celebration,” and that sums it up. There are no home runs on the CD, no aisle-dancing praise breaks, no spectacular turns or runs, no unforgettable songs, but there are certainly plenty of base hits which make for an enjoyable listening experience.

Incidentally, Pastor Chappell secured distribution with Professor James Roberson’s JDI imprint, and thus reaped the professional polish of JDI product. The Grammy nominated duo of Roberson and Michael Bereal produced, and it shows in the crisp attention to vocal detail throughout.

Three of Five Stars