Customer Reviews

Church - Songs of Soul and Inspiration

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

What an incredible CD.
From the opening words of Dr. Maya Angelou through the performances of some of our most talented working female vocalists, "Church" is unique, uplifting and incredibly powerful. There isn't a bad performance on the disc, and most of these women raise the rafters with their powerful vocals turned over to sing praise music.
A few of the major highlights include a reworking of Chaka Khan's classic "Love Me Still (from the "Clockers" soundtrack) - here, Chaka's vocals are both more pensive and pleading, and Bruce Hornsby's piano work sounds even more reflective, fitting perfectly with the song. Patti LaBelle's "Way Up There" takes things up a notch like only Patti can do, and her use of power in her vocals is only rivaled by Ann Nesby (from The Sounds Of Blackness) who turns in an outstanding cover of LEon Russell's "A Song For You".
On the mellower side, (but still excellent) be sure to check out Patti Austin's version of "You Gotta Be" - it is a reworked version of the song made famous by Des'ree, and PAtti makes it work beautifully. And relative newcomer Nnenna Freelon does great work on the classic "Ooh Child" (note - if you find you like Nnenna, be sure to check out her album of covers of Stevie Wonder songs). It's also great hearing Stephanie Mills again, and she does a solid job on "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand).
Be sure not to miss Denyce Graves' "Ave Maria", which is goosebump inducing.
This is just a collection of truly stellar performances, guaranteed not to disappoint fans of spiritual music, r&b, or even classic pop tunes. While the song selection might not look like a spiritual Top 40 list, the performances clearly hit that mark.

When you bring together some of the best singers in the business you get one incredible album. What Church contains is an amazing group of singers who all have their roots in gospel music. Many of them grew up singing in their local gospel choirs and this album is a nod back to those days that taught them much about their own musical talent and showed them their path for the future. Where this album diverges from the typical gospel stuff is in the song selection. Who would've thought we would hear EnVogue covering the BeeGee's hit "How Deep Is Your Love"? Or how about Nnenna Freelon covering "Ooh Child". Along with these pop covers are a great selection of songs that follow a more religious and spiritual approach such as "Ave Maria" sung by Denyce Graves or Shirley Caesar's "His Eye is on the Sparrow". Whatever the song, each one is an amazingly beautiful piece of work that shows the devotion and love of each singer to their craft and history. This is such a great album and let's hope that it does well so we can get more installments in the future because great talent shouldn't be wasted. This is an album that I would recommend to every one of my friends and after listening to it you will agree too.

My soul looks back and wonder how what took so long for a musical offering of this caliber to reach the shelves. These gifted ladies have truly blessed us with their glorious voices. Each song stands out and has been given a very personal and timeless performance. Maya Angelou starts things off with a poignant spoken piece. Patti Labelle and Jennifer Holiday then take us to church with their soulful powerhouse vocals. Stephanie Mills follows with a beautiful cover of Reach Out And Touch Somebody's Hand. Other highlights include: Ann Nesby, Chaka Khan, Patti Austin.....I could go on and on. Just rush out and get this one.....you'll be delighted.

Are you looking for an album that will allow you to dip your toe into the world of gospel music? Have you nervously picked up album in the past... only to find people screaming, shouting and trying to out-do each other... and come away thinking "there really really must be better gospel music out there?" Do you simply love spiritual music? Well, if you don't know the names on this album, go find a belt, a seatbelt, some superglue, a big handful of heart medication -- something! -- because from the opening by Dr Maya Angelou to the last seconds of the Ann Nesby closing track, this album will move all but the most hardened soul.

Whether you are "Jew and Gentile", "curious" or the seasoned church goer, "Church -- Songs of Soul & Inspiration" promises an rich experience marked by the high production values, a showing of talent and polish that hitherto has been sadly absent from too many gospel recordings.

The album hangs together well even if some songs are not overtly "religious" - they are not meant to be. You may be disappointed if you are expecting the more evangelic / enthusiastic hand-clapping / "spirited" renditions some might expect. But, this is where "Church" shines. "Church" is an all-round offering. With stalwarts Ann Nesby, Shirley Caesar, Dionne Warwick along side Jennifer Holliday, Patti LaBelle, Stephanie Mills and an equally impressive cast -- there are few collections that come looking so good from so many sides.

I can think of spiritual collections in the genre that shine as brightly as "Church". I recommend the album wholeheartedly and with few reservations.

This cd and cd rom package is a gem. Most of the songs work and most of the artist work the songs. When you buy this package, you wil find that Stephanie Mills shines on "Reach Out and Touch" and the divine Ms. Dionne Warwick sounds down-right heavenly on "What the World Needs Now". By far, these are the highlights of the cd. Patti Labelle, Ann Nesby and Patti Austin all belt out their tunes in good order. En Vogue sings smoothly and Maya Angelou speaks the spoken word only like she can!!!

This is mature music and should be listened to with a mature ear. If you are looking for a pop-oriented, anti climatic over-rated cd with overexposed and over-rated singers, this ain't the cd for you. BUY It with the expectation of good music from first class, first rate singers who are re-visiting their spiritual roots. Great cd!!

For the guy who said that his second CD was blank, try inserting it into the CD-ROM drive of your computer. It's a data-only CD (it won't play in a regular CD player), containing special interviews and videos, etc. They are especially good, adding to the soul-stirring experience you already receive from listening to the disc. Each singer discusses their background in the church, their musical influences, etc., and what spirituality has meant to them later as adults.

All the tracks are amazing, but Patti LaBelle and Ann Nesby (had never heard of Ann before) steal the show as soloists. Collectively, however, the Fire Choir's powerhouse vocals (and the gospel instrumentation of course) are the common threads that give all tracks their distinctive gospel flair. Seriously, if their rendition of "As" doesn't light your fire, your wood must be wet!

This is a tour de force! Every artist on this remarkable piece of work does a splendid job. I was especially moved by Patti LaBelle's reprisal of Way Up There and Shirley Caesar's rendition of His Eye is on the Sparrow was simply inspired. You must have this in your collection. It's a once in a lifetime compilation. EXCELLENT!!!

This is a cd to inspire, achieve, dream, and take you back to church. It is a good compilation of extraordinary soul sisters
doing what they do best--bringing out the best in all of us through poetry and song. The opening cut by Maya Angelou "It's Sacred" really sets the spirit for the entire cd. My favorites are - the remake of Stevie Wonders "As" by The Fire Choir, "Way up there" by Pattie Labelle (of course), Pattie Austin's version of "You Gotta Be" and Mrs. Shirly Ceaser "His eye is on the Sparrow"
There are other really good songs on the cd and they are sung very well. If you want to hear something positive - this is the cd for you.

The entire CD is an excellent compilation of some of the most well respected talent in the entertainment industry. Dr. Maya Angelou proves once again that her eloquently poetic words of wisdom can still seize the heart and empower the soul with strength and virtue. As I listened to the first track, and continued with the subsequent renditions of memorable songs I remember as a child, I actually felt my spirit singing to the words of each song. This incredible CD I highly recommend to anyone who appreciates superior refinement through the art of music.

Now and then an album comes along that is soooo amazing that you have to pinch yourself and tell yourself that this is for real and not a fantasy album you always dreamed of. To start there is an opening address by Maya Angelou who has a voice like a chocolate waterfall follow this with the voices of Patti Labelle, Ann Nesby, Dionne Warwick, Chaka Khan & Jennifer Holliday to name but a few and all sounding the best they ever have . Is that what inspiration does for you? This sounds like a collaboration that satisfied all involved. The arrangements of these classic songs are faultless and it would be impossible to bring out a best track but just for shere music tingles check out Ann Nesby's A Song For You. It really does not come any better than this