Product Details

• Actors: Yolanda Adams, Pastor Shirley Ceasar, Coko, Fantasia, Kirk Franklin
• Format: Color, Compilation, Dolby, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Paramount
• DVD Release Date: May 8, 2007
• Run Time: 62 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000OONQAI
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #22,672 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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  Movies & TV > Music Video & Concerts > Other Music > Christian & Gospel

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Staged under the auspices of the BET Network, the 2007 edition of the "annual musical praise-fest" known as Celebration of Gospel: Taking You Higher! has all trappings of a big-time pop event: a fancy venue (the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles) with a tony crowd, slick production values (lights, sets, costumes, and so on), a big, powerful backing band… even an American Idol connection. But although you can take the music out of the church, you can't take the church out of the music, and this hour-long show, which brings together some of contemporary gospel's biggest names, is a joyous, inspired, and unrestrained display of worship and soul. Aside from the individuals involved (Yolanda Adams, Kirk Franklin, Fred Hampton, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Kelly Price, Tye Tribbett, and former Idol champ Fantasia are among them), what's perhaps most striking is the incredible energy level, both onstage and in the audience, from start (a fiery performance by Caesar and Adams, who comes on like a sanctified Tina Turner) to finish. While there are traditional elements in evidence, like Loretta Devine's straightforward delivery of "The Lord's Prayer," a certain pop/R&B sensibility permeates much of the music: Hampton tears it up with one of his patented "old skool jams," rapping and rocking through a number that evokes Luther Vandross and Earth, Wind & Fire; a quartet of older (and unidentified) ladies wail on what could easily pass for a lowdown, foot-stomping blues; and Fantasia, joined by three other young performers (Lil' Mo, Coko, and Kiki Sheard), indulges in the kind of vocal acrobatics heard every week on the world's most popular TV show. Yet there's something else going on here, a level of commitment reflected both in the constant Hallelujahs and the inimitable backbeat, alternately rocking and swinging, that takes gospel music both higher and deeper. The DVD includes a brief behind-the-scenes featurette and a couple of extra performances. --Sam Graham

Product Description

BET takes you higher with Celebration of Gospel. This annual star-studded musical event features appearances and performances by Grammy Award winners Kirk Franklin and Yolanda Adams, Fantasia (of American Idol fame), Pastor Shirley Caesar, Fred Hammond and more, with a special tribute to actor/writer/director Tyler Perry (Madea’s Family Reunion).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST have for everyone!, April 30, 2007

By	R. Allen (California) - See all my reviews

A Great show, very inspiring! I watch this show every year on BET and so glad this is now available. I love the mix of contemporary and down-home gospel music. The reunion on stage with Shirley Ceasar and the Caravans is classic and you won't see them anywhere else. My kids even enjoyed watching with me! Of course Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams and Tye Tribbett never disappoint with their energy and God-given talent! I highly recommend this one.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great gospel music!, July 19, 2007

By	Cynthia A. Mims - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'm so happy a DVD of the Celebration of Gospel 2007 was made available. I can now enjoy the event over and over again!

4.0 out of 5 stars who wrote the amazon review?, May 20, 2009

By	Kheru Djhuti "Kheru Djhuti" (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews

How does the person who wrote the amazon review not know that the "quartet of older (and unidentified) ladies wail[ing] on what could easily pass for a lowdown, foot-stomping blues" is Caravan? Did this person not recognize Shirley Ceasar? Please let people qualified in the various genres review them so that the customer might get accurate information with which to make an informed decision. How many more people may purchase this DVD knowing that Caravan makes an appearance?