Various Artists – WOW Gospel 2010

Various Artists
WOW Gospel 2010
Verity Records
www.wowgospelonline.com

I have been an ardent follower of the WOW Gospel series since its debut in February, 1998.

Back then, I was not as heavily involved in the gospel music industry as I am now, so the collection was a way to keep current on who was hip and what songs were popular. So eager was I every year to secure a copy of the latest edition that if my local music store hadn’t yet stocked its shelves with the project on the Tuesday of its release, I had the clerk go into the storeroom and pull one out.

More than a decade and thousands of CD previews later, I still regard the annual release of the WOW Gospel compilation as something of a special event. The event is the opening of an audio yearbook and a chance to reflect on the gospel hits of the previous twelve months.

It is also a chance to catch up on songs I hadn’t previewed the first time. Like Whitney Houston’s “I Look To You,” which is exquisite, delivered by Whitney with confidence, poise and dignity. It demonstrates that the beleaguered member of the storied Drinkard/Warrick family has so much more to offer.

Familiar, but no less compelling, tracks include Mary Mary’s “I Worship You,” James Fortune & FIYA’s “I Trust You,” and one of the biggest gospel hits of the year, Hezekiah Walker and LFC’s “Souled Out.”

Some years ago, the series began spotlighting a different city with each release. This year’s edition is dedicated to Detroit, and – surprise – plenty of Detroiters are included in the collection to represent their hometown, such as CeCe Winans, Donnie McClurkin, J Moss, Kierra Sheard, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Maurette Brown Clark, Deitrick Haddon and Byron Cage. Of course, these artists would be part of the project anyway. Nevertheless, their presence illustrates what an influence Detroit has had on the gospel scene, thanks in large part to the groundwork of legendary D-Town COGIC families the Winans and Moss/Clarks.

The project concludes with Rev. Timothy Wright and the New York Fellowship Mass Choir’s 2007 “Enter His Gates.” It is a fitting if bittersweet tribute to the late Rev. Timothy Wright, whose passing last April continues to resound throughout the gospel music community.

Listening to the new WOW Gospel release is an eagerly-awaited annual tradition, now in its thirteenth year. And in a world that paves over traditions at will, every special moment, no matter what the occasion, needs protecting and cherishing. Can I get an amen…or a WOW?

Five of Five Stars