Would You Be Ready? – Jimmy & Debora Rouse

Jimmy & Debora Rouse
Would You Be Ready?
www.jimmyanddeborarouse.com

Husband and wife singing teams have been de rigueur in gospel music for as far back as the memory can travel. When it comes to black gospel, the Consolers of Miami, Florida (Sullivan and Iola Pugh) are the archetypes of the form, but the concept goes back even further. For example, William and Versey Smith, and A.C. and Mamie Forehand were couples who sang sanctified for the recording microphone in the 1920s.

Married for nearly a quarter-century, Jimmy & Debora Rouse continue this tradition. Like the Pugh’s, the Rouse’s call Florida home (Jacksonville), and although they have been singing for quite some time – Jimmy debuted as a pre-teen in the Atlantic Beach-based Gospel Imperials – Would You Be Ready? is the couple’s debut CD.

Released last October, Would You Be Ready? layers contemporary gospel over southern soul stylings, with ample Carlos Santana-esque guitar licks, courtesy of Kris Joslyn. Beau Brown’s production is thick and gritty throughout.

The first four tracks are the album’s strongest, and complement one another in rapid-fire succession. The title track (#2) is the finest. It is power-packed retro southern soul, full of body-grooving energy, and led by the Rouse’s enthusiastic duetting. “Praising the Lord” interpolates Curtis Mayfield’s “People Get Ready” at the start, further strengthening the album’s link between contemporary and old school.

After the first four tracks, however, the fire cools and Would You Be Ready? becomes hit and miss. The enthusiasm and genuineness of the Rouse’s message and ministry is ever-present, and their pre-performance rapport hearkens to their live shows, but some performances are better organized and delivered than others.

If all tracks were as powerful as “Would You Be Ready?,” the album would be outstanding. Nevertheless, I hope the Rouse’s get radio play on this song. It wraps a stimulating mix of contemporary cool and saucy southern soul around the Big Question.

Two and a Half of Four Stars