Pastor Debra B. Morton – My Better Half

Bishop Paul S. Morton presents Pastor Debra B. Morton
My Better Half
Tehillah Music Group/Light Records 2008
www.lightrecords.com

“Come on church — let’s rock this house tonight!”

So exhorts soloist Pastor Nancy Wilson during the opening track of Pastor Debra B. Morton’s new CD, My Better Half, after what is essentially a Praise & Worship CD has raced off into seven minutes of pulse-pounding, hand-clapping, traditional down home gospel singing on Pastor Jerry Q. Parries’ composition, “Victory in Praise.” Vocal powerhouse Beverly Crawford follows on the bluesy, mellifluous “Breakthrough,” and the Daughters of the Promise Mass Choir back both singers like the Chicago Mass Choir in overdrive. These two tracks set a high bar for the remainder of the project.

A live recording made at Morton’s women’s conference, My Better Half was released in June and is advertised as a “church service to go.” It lives up to its promise, as a coterie of female clergy, including Pastor Morton, Pastor Nancy Wilson and Dr. Aretha Wilson and Evangelist Sandra Riley deliver inspirational messages in between the music performances. The producer’s keen ear for capturing the audience’s reaction to the program gives the project a real-time feel.

“Where There’s a Will There’s a Way” is a lovely inspirational song and arrangement, and “Too Far to Turn Around” has definite gospel radio possibilities because of its catchy melody, relevant message and bright vocal delivery and vamp. “Trust in the Lord” is a return to the old school sound that opened the project, prefaced by Morton as her tribute to the old time Nawlins church music with which she grew up.

My Better Half is an excellent example of how today’s gospel projects include a buffet of sacred music styles to appeal to as wide an audience as possible. On Pastor Morton’s album, one can find traditional, contemporary, inspirational, and Praise & Worship songs and arrangements, though again the project strikes me as more firmly rooted in P&W, likely in keeping with the tenor of the conference from which it came. It has a comfortable sound, one that needs to be experienced in its entirety to appreciate fully the producer’s vision.

Pastor Debra S. Morton has had her hands full for some time as minister, mother, musician, wife (of Bishop Paul S.), grandmother, philanthropist and civic leader. Now she has a new recording to market and the vestiges of the New Orleans church fire and the concomitant insurance and replacement hassles with which to deal. She needs a “Breakthrough,” a “Victory,” a “Way,” and – I’m certain – a very long vacation.

Three of Four Stars