Customer Reviews

20/85 The Experience

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Hezikiah Walker and the Love Fellowship Choir has done it again after keeping us waiting for 3 long years. There are songs on here for everybody and the message is good. However there are some negative comments that I do have.
1. The lead vocalist are not as strong as on previous albums. To me personally, after family affair 1, his lead vocal selection went down. He already lost monique so a lot of the anoiting in the slow power ballads went with her. I know ya are divorce but can she please be a guest soloist, she is truly missed.
2. Is that the best Donald Lawrence could do? The song Jehovah Reigns is nice but Heather is not the right person to lead it. It sounds so dry and tiring.
3 The repeating of the lyrics are a little to much as it is displayed on songs like Do You Know Jesus, Lift Him Up, More Than That, and well actually it is displayed on all the songs. He done it previous years but songs like Clean inside and Victory were good so he could have gotten away with it.
4. The last negative thing is we are missing the signature modulation song like Jesus is My Help, Anyway You Bless Me, and Power Belongs to God. He tried to do it with no defeat but it does not have that same flavor.

Now The Positive
Compared to Love is Live and Family Affair 2, the album is a big improvement. The songs were writtin with a little more feeling and a greater connection with God. No matter what type of Choir you have, there is a song on there just for you. It seems like choirs are loosing the flavor they use to have and are trying to go more mainstream. Where are the Rev. Milton Brunson's and the Tommies? Where are the O'landa Draper's? Maybe one will come up soon.

First let me state that, I really loved this album. You will not regret purchasing this album.

Now, the reasons why I did not give it five stars:

1. Lift Him Up - 5 star song
-This is a song that will get you moving. Fast paced and sets off the album in the right way. Straight up Praise song!

2. Do You Know Jesus - 5 star song
- Flows well. This song mellows the tempo. Real good spot for this song. This song reminds me of an early Kirk Franklin song. Good song!

3.It's More Than That - 5 star song
- Great song. This is classic Hezekiah! Nuff said!

4. Hold Out - 4 star song
- Great lyrics, but why are the same lyrics repeated throughout the whole song? too repetitive. Great beat, song.. but add more lyrics, more depth.. instead of the hook being the entire song.

5. No Defeat - 4.5/5 star song
-I am torn over this song. This is one of the best songs on the whole album. Same thing.. the hook is repeated throughout the song too much.. no depth.. How about have the altos, sopranos, tenors, mix it up? Every time I hear this song, I can hear the different voices in the choir break it down..
Please make a remix and do that. But it is such a good song.

6. Jehovah Reigns - 3.5 stars
- This sounds like a Fred Hammond type song. This song does not belong on this album or if it does, maybe at the end. I skip this one all of the time. It doesn't fit right with the album.

7. He's Able - 4 stars
- This one, has variety.. good song. It doesn't seem to fit right there. This one sounds like every other contemporary gospel song. It really doesn't have any complexity to make me really like this one. I skip this one sometimes.

8. Celebrate - 4 stars
- I like this one. Again too repetitive on the hook. Give me more lyrics. Good song although.

9.Faithful Is Our Goal - 5 stars
Classic! A masterpiece! Absolute favorite.Nuff said.

10. On Tyme God - 5 stars.
- I really feel this song. Excellent spot. Lyrics are great and the beat is awesome. I love it.

11. 12. Grateful - 5 stars
Classic. The best songs on the album.

I didn't hear the growth on this album, because of the simplified lyrics and arrangements of the vocals. But, regardless it is so worth it to buy this album. I don't regret any penny. I just expected a little more. But Hez, with all of the stuff you went through, I give you props.

I just want to say to Hezekiah, "Welcome home." I am in agreement with another reviewer on this site that alluded to the fact that Gospel music has run hard after establishing an R & B sound.

This CD, however, returns us to the concept of Gospel music as different. I understand the reviews of those who thought that they liked Gospel until they actually heard it. Most of what we hear is R & B with Gospel-ish words. This CD is mostly Gospel.

First I will say, the chords, the changes, the instruments are on point and in some songs amazing. (Listen real close in Hold Out and Lift Him Up) I am not a big fan of On Tyme God. It's a little too (forgive me) worldly for my tastes. My favorite songs on the CD are Lift Him Up, Hold Out, and Grateful.

If you are looking for a CD that will minister to you, this is it. If you are a lover of Gospel music, this is the one. If you want R & B with Gospel-ish lyrics, don't waste your time and money.

If you really like HEZ you would like this album. To all of the people that think this album isn"t good, I"d like to hear what you consider good. This album is awesome to say the least. This is another major step into the right direction for Pastor Walker and his church, choir and ministry. I bid him God"s speed and only the best. I also challenge all the critics to either support GOSPEL music entirely or buy r&b if that's what suits you. When are we going to not only support financially but also speak positively about what we claim we are apart of or just not be apart. I pray this album reaches all of those unchurched people wandering the streets, in your families that you aren't reaching. perhaps they will listen to track ten and realize that God is an "on time God," that he was on time enough to reach them through this CD and go to church and give their lives over to the LORD, AMEN

All I can say is......Hezekiah has done it again. This is Classic Hezekiah and it is Awesome!!!!! HEZEZKIAH IS BACK!!!!!!

THANK YOU PASTOR HEZ FOR MAKING THIS CD. YES IT IS THE BEST I FEEL. HELEN BENNETTE, I'M GLAD YOU TOOK ENOUGH TIME TO READ MY REVIEW. YES, IT SOUNDS PERSONAL, BUT I CONSIDER WHAT I LIVE, PREACH, AND SING ABOUT PERSONAL. SO, IF YOU DON'T, I'M SORRY. IT'S SO PERSONAL THIS RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD BECAUSE HE ORDERS MY STEPS AND GULIDES ME SPIRITUALLY DAY IN AND DAY OUT. WHAT I'M AFRAID OF IS ALL OF THE OTHER SOUNDS OF GOSPEL MUSIC THAT HAVE CREPT INTO THE AIRWAVES OF R&B THAT ULTIMATELY DON'T REPRESENT WHAT MOST CHURCHES OR CHOIRS ARE ABLE TO PRODUCE IN MOST LOCAL ASSEMBLIES. SO I WILL SAY THAT I INTEND TO DO MY BEST WHEN REACHING OTHERS BUT I MUST MAKE SURE THAT MY MESSAGE IS HEARD AND THE LISTENER WILL KNOW IN WHOM I'M TALKING ABOUT AFTER THEY LISTEN. GOSPEL MUSIC IS FILLED WITH SUBSTITUTIONS FOR THE WHO. WHAT OR WHO IS THE WHO? COULD HIS NAME BE JESUS? AS CHRISTIANS TODAY, WE MUST BE VERY CAREFUL OF WHAT WE ALLOW OUR SPIRIT TO BECOME APART OF. THIS CD REPRESENTS WHAT THE WORLD SAVED AND UNSAVED NEED TO HEAR. GOSPEL MUSIC WITH THE WORD GOD AND JESUS IN THE LYRICS. I BELIEVE THE FIRST SONG THAT WENT MAINSTREAM WAS A SONG RECORDED BY EDWIN HAWKINS BACK IN THE 70'S CALLED, OH HAPPY DAY. WEREN'T THE LYRICS SAYING, WHEN JESUS WASHED MY SINS AWAY. LET'S NOT GET CAUGHT UP IN THE HYPE AND FORGET WHO WILL KEEP IT HYPE, HIS NAME IS JESUS. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING, BEFORE YOU CRITIQUE ME, HEAR ME.

I am one of the biggest Hezekiah Walker listeners out there, and for me to say anything negative would be wrong. First if anyboudy thinks that they can do any better then where is your CD??

I love gospel music, but it has lost its anointing, because artists have forgotten the reason for making music, NOT TO GO PLATINUM, OR MAKE MONEY OR TO CROSS OVER!!!! Gospel artists are conforming into the image of secular artists, and NOT into the image of God!

visit

http://www.exministries.com/watch30.html

But we are to reach the lost, to minister to the saved, and to praise and worship our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! I am a church musician, and I play because:
1. God Loves Me
2. I love the Lord
3. He changed my life, but "it's more than that!"

I would do it for free, heck I would even pay t do it!

I miss Monique on the CD, which is a significant reason what some of you would say is lacking from the project. I had high expectations from the CD as I do with every CD. I like it nonetheless, I give it 3 stars because Monique is MIA. I know we MUST NOT be as the world but we must transform the world into what God is calling for a chirch without spot or blemish!!!
Be Blessed

Grace and Peace:

A few people are not too happy with this CD. I can only say that "seasons change". What I find different about this CD is the sound of the choir. What is different is that LFC is no longer a YOUTH choir. They are mostly in their early 30's and mid to late 40's with the exception of a few.

That 90's pep is not there because they are no longer a youth choir. I thought the vocals had too many overdubs and voice overs. The choir was recorded but they took the project in the studio and it sounds like they put about 10 professional singers on the tracks and drowned out the choir to simply a faint background echo/reverb. There was not enough reverb to enlarge the sound of the choir. I have heard Lift Him Up live enough times to know what it should sound like, it wasn't bad on the CD but it lacked the rawness-too polished. But that had a lot to do with the final mix down.

As for Monique(for the previous poster) she has not been with LFT for about 5 years or so. But she will always be there in spirit. Hopefully one day she will return. But she is still doing her thing.

Seasons change, people grow and change and I think Pastor Walker's greatest strength is not his music-but his preaching ministry-The man can preach and has brought much growth to my life!!! Perhaps the next album will be more pleasing to folk's ears. You can't win them all...

This has to be the best Gospel CD in some time. The landscape has been lacking strong, melodic, traditional and spirit-filled Gospel songs led by a Gospel choir that can take the songs to another level. This CD does just that for me. Hezekiah Walker's releases have been consistent, for the most part. He is always able to deliver a message in both upbeat songs as well as the slower, inspirational tunes.

LIFT HIM UP--As the lead single, this uptempo praise joint is amazing. It has a very unique, vaudeville, showtune kind of feel to it. The lyrics are repetitive and it does last a little too long, but it's a fun song nevertheless and a good song to kick off the CD. A

DO YOU KNOW JESUS--After the Gospel workout that was Lift Him Up, this slow, inspirational ballad is the perfect song for an altar call. I know a few choirs here in Chicago that have sung this song as an altar call because it speaks to the notion of truly knowing Jesus personally and then showing that relationship. It starts off understated and low and then goes into the stratosphere towards the end. Do you know Jesus? A

IT'S MORE THAN THAT--A nice breather after the tearjerker or the wake-up call of the previous song, this uptempo has a nice, laidback groove with repetitive lyrics but with a message that speaks to the fact that a relationship with God is more than just the "things" He can provide. The choral harmony in this song is good. A-

HOLD OUT-One of those traditional Gospel songs that has a lot of power and umph and it's a solid song that really makes you want to "hold out" until He comes. It's not as strong as the previous song, but it's still a good uplifter nevertheless. A-

NO DEFEAT--One of my favorite songs on the CD--this is one of those powerful songs with a message. It speaks to the fact that with God on one's side, one cannot be defeated because "since God is the greatest power, we cannot be defeated" as the song says. I like the vamps and the key changes in the song. A+

JEHOVAH REIGNS--I like the message of this song. It is traditional. It sounds like something from the late 90s, but it doesn't have enough energy and pizzaz to take it to the next level and following the previous 5 songs, it is not as powerful and edgy. I usually skip over it, and the lead singer is not the strongest. B+

HE'S ABLE--Another traditional song with a pretty strong lead. The message is what the song states that God is more than able to see you through. It doesn't have that same feeling and vibe as the others, so I usually skip over it. It's better than Jehovah Reighns. B+

CELEBRATE--Now moreso than any other song on the CD, this one is one that will put people into an exubernt praise mode. It does as the title says which is to celebrate the name of Jesus. The lyrics are simple, but it's a powerful song. The choir handles this well. I listen to this a lot. A+

FAITHFUL IS OUR GOD--This has to be my second favorite song on the CD. It's currently a single. It has that traditional meets 2005 kind of song. It speaks to the faithful, holy nature of God. The powerful choir's vocals coupled with the key settings of the song and the musical arrangments make this a basic masterpiece. A+

ON TYME GOD--This is a nice song even though it's kind of unique and weird. With some of the things or lyrics the choir says, you can tell that they're traditional, but they're trying to be contemporary. B+

GRATEFUL--This is the 2nd ballad/Inspirational song on the CD. This is worth the CD itself. It talks about the power of God and just being grateful. See, you have to listen to the rest of the songs that talk about the nature of God, the power of God and just having a relationship with Him. When you transcend beyond just appreciating God, you can then be grateful for all that He is about. In the bridge, the choir just repeats "grateful, grateful, grateful." They also modulate while doing it. After that, you just go there. It reminds me of slavery at times and how to just be grateful to God where He's brought African-Americans and many other things.

This is a stellar Gospel CD, and I see why it's received the acclaim it has and the Stellar Award for best traditional Gospel CD.

I had never listened to the CD before and i am very glad that i purchase it. it was worth my money. My favorite song is "Lift Him Up" and "Celebrate". i will totally recommend this CD for persons who like R&B-Gospel.