TBGB Reviews…Desmond Pringle

Be Still
Desmond Pringle
Magnum Opus Entertainment 2006
www.magnumopusent.com

Desmond Pringle brings James Cleveland back!

Well, not physically, but on his latest CD Be Still, the Chicago-based gospel crooner manipulates the mixing board to sing a duet with the late King James, just as Natalie sang “Unforgettable” with her father Nat, and Hank Williams, Jr. duetted with his father Hank, Sr. on one of the latter’s unreleased acetates.

The song Pringle selects for his otherworldly duet is James’ “Jesus is the Best Thing,” a reading of the Jim Weatherly composition originally recorded by Gladys Knight as “Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me” but with more sacred covers than secular by this point. The scratchy vinyl backdrop provides the appropriate context to the interpolation of James’ shout-inducing singing and Desmond’s smoky baritone.

Although this track is the apex of Be Still, there are other high points on the CD, including the single “Let There Be Praise,” which is propelled by a motive that sounds inspired by The Wiz dance sequence. “Jesus is All” mixes the old standard “Jesus is All the World to Me” into an updated arrangement, and “Holiness is Right” is a bluesy lesson on living the clean life.

Pringle also duets (in real time) with Pastor Shirley Caesar on Kenneth Morris’ prize find, “Just a Closer Walk with Thee,” making her the second former Caravan to be featured on this CD (yes, Cleveland sang with the Caravans – check your history!).

Most of the songs on Be Still are penned by Pringle, and feature his melodic, emotional singing (very Luther V.) over an adroit group of background vocalists that includes Felicia Coleman-Evans. I especially enjoyed the “praise break” at the conclusion of “Your Praise,” on which the band kicks into Pentecostal overdrive. An instrumental reprise would have made this moment on the project even stronger.

Overall, Be Still is a pleasant project with a “gospel at sunset” vibe.

Three of Four Stars