Blessed By Association

John P. Kee & New Life Community Choir, John P. Kee | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 12, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Verity
• ASIN: B00006LLO7
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #31,157 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Personnel includes: Rev. John P. Kee (vocals, director, various instruments); Chris Kee (vocals, drums, programming); Shelia Lakin, Curtis Lewis, Zeb Harrison, Beverly Moore (vocals); Tonex (rap vocals); Tony Russell (guitar, bass); Doan Clark (cello); Garland Waller (piano); Sean Kee (organ); Tim Mole (drums); New Life Praise Band, New Life Community Choir. Recorded live at New Life Sound Stage, Charlotte, North Carolina. BLESSED BY ASSOCIATION was nominated for the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Gospel Choir Or Chorus Album. From the very first few seconds of BLESSED BY ASSOCIATION, wherein Elder Rance Allen's frenetic introduction could give that of KISS ALIVE a run for its money, the high-energy quotient here is quite palpable. The Reverend John P. Kee, backed by his New Life choir, presents a full program of spiritual music that appeals simultaneously to spirit, ear, and feet. "He's the Greatest" kicks things off full-tilt with the gospel/funk/R&B amalgam that is a Kee trademark, while "It's Time for Worship" is given a more traditional choral arrangement. The grooving, mid-tempo R&B jam of "Me Out" wouldn't sound out of place on a latter-day Bill Withers album. And all this stylistic diversity comes just within the first few cuts! Throughout the album, of course, spirituality is the connecting thread, as the listener is treated to a walk through the musical world of Kee and his choir.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars HE'S DONE IT AGAIN, March 6, 2003

By 

Kevin (Brooklyn, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blessed By Association (Audio CD)

Where do I begin? Whatever your gospel musical taste...this CD has it. I am a young minister and choir director who very often listens to gospel music to get my mind (and heart) together in order to minister to God's people. If you're like me, my different moods cry out for different styles of gospel music. Somedays I'm in worship mode, other days I wanna break out with a dance and when I feel overwhelmed by life's pressures...I wanna cry out with a loud voice (Shabach). This album saves me time and money looking for different albums for my different moods. Without exaggeration....Blessed By Association (love that title) has it all...and then some!

If you're a worshipper you will be drawn to "It's Time for Worship", "That's Why I Praise You", "More than Anything" and "Breathe on Me" with it's own added bonus on the end. Just make sure you're not driving when listening to these songs....you may just lose control of your car. A box of Kleenex or some space for you to lay prostrate will also come in handy...listen to them and you'll understand exactly what I mean.

If you wanna get your shout on...."I Won't Let Go" and "He's the Greatest" are a quick fix. As if "I Won't Let Go" wasn't enough for you to pick'em up and put'em down...they had to add a dance mix of this song on the end of the CD with the most anointed tromobonist playing the lead in place of Pastor Kee. Talk about a praisefest going into overtime? Whoa!!!

I've never been to Africa, but if the song "Karamu" is any representation of how they worship in Africa......book my seat on the next plane, I'm outta here. The heavy drum beat along with the African lyrics (and English translation to boot) will have you stomping your feet and breaking out in a praise in no time.

If you want to JAM (and I do mean JAM)..."At the Cross" and "You Blessed Me" will have your youth (and young at heart) raising the praise. "You Blessed Me" is actually a reprise of the same song from an earlier CD of Pastor Kee's with an added reminder message that....Your victory, your deliverance and your blessing is in your praise!!! Watch it...you gonna make me act up in here.

I'm telling you, Pastor Kee and New Life have made an impact on the gospel music community with this CD that will last for generations to come. Like T.D. Jakes says....."Get Ready, Get Ready, Get Ready".

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars GOOD CD! TYPICAL JOHN P KEE, February 10, 2003

By 

L. Jackson "Veracity" (Oak Park,MI) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Blessed By Association (Audio CD)

This was an excellent follow up to Kee's Not Guilty dual CD. There is a good mixture of songs on this album ranging from hand-clapping songs to praise and worship. Also, there is a woman vocalist on the bonus track that sings wonderfully. Kee does it again and gives plenty of songs for the dollar.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The usual, December 29, 2002

By 

C. Pompey "c-nice" (Charlotte, NC United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Blessed By Association (Audio CD)

If you're looking for the usual John Kee sound, this album has it and then some. John does a remarkable job of keeping his music exciting. After "Not Guilty", I didn't think he could get any better than that. "God of Mercy"....Good Lawd!!! Calvin (the drummer on that song) is the man. Chris Kee, John's son, does an excellent job on this project. I don't think you can ever go wrong with a John Kee project. He's going to give you funk. He's going to give you worship and a little bit of everything else in between. I don't know how John stays ahead of the game, but Father Time doesn't seem to be able to keep up with this Gospel legend. I believe that this album will not disappoint current fans or new fans of the "Crown Prince of Gospel". I've followed John ever since "Jesus is Mine" (anybody remember that song?), and he has never released a totally wack project. The only album that I didn't enjoy as much was the "We Walk By Faith" album, because the production work was sub-par, but Isaac and Lowell were the bomb and so was. All the songs on this album are A-1 material, which is characteristic of his immense talent. As I said before, John does not disappoint. Buy this album and you will definitely agree with me. It will truly bless your spirit man. Be Blessed.