Teddy Cross – Family Healing, Vol. 1

Teddy Cross

Many know Teddy Cross as a member of the iconic Gospel Keynotes. His CD, Family Healing, Vol. 1, showcases the quartet specialist as a solo artist, allowing him room to experiment with styles and songs that might not necessarily fit in the Gospel Keynotes repertory.

Still, much of the CD is rooted firmly in the traditional, soulful style of the Keynotes, and that’s a good thing. Also a good thing: the magnitude of guest vocalists who participate on the project, most notably Cross’s pastor, Bishop Paul S. Morton, Sr. The two duet on “Through Prayer,” a tribute to the power of prayer to bring you out of trouble. The men’s voices are so well suited it’s hard to tell one from another.

In addition to Morton, fellow Keynote Paul Beasley (he of the sky-high falsetto) and quartet maven Bishop Neal Roberson assist Cross on “Heal the Land” and “Lift Jesus” respectively. The emotional tension between the hard-shouting singers sells both songs. “Heal the Land” addresses the album’s premise: troubles such as drugs, prostitution and violence that not only threaten individual families but also the global family. Cross suggests that the wrongdoing has gone on for far too long and it is time for healing to begin.

A Teddy Cross album has to have a couple of drive songs, and “See What the Lord Has Done” and “Battle Ax” fit the bill. The latter sounds like a medley of COGIC congregational songs.

Cross performs American Gospel Quartet Convention founder Rev. George W. Stewart’s “It’s Good,” a simple and melodically compelling conversational song reminiscent of “I Won’t Complain.” The seven-plus minute rendition could have been shortened by two minutes for an even more effective presentation.

Family Healing, Vol. 1 is honest-to-goodness traditional gospel music with quartet-style singing and more than capable musicianship from the band and background vocalists.

Four of Five Stars

gPod Picks: “Lift Jesus,” “Heal the Land.”

Reviewed by Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog.