Gospel According to Jazz - Chapter 3

Kirk Whalum | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 16, 2010)
• Original Release Date: 2010
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Rendezvous
• ASIN: B003626TMC
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #1,741 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Review

This the finest chapter in the series yet.
12 years after saxophonist and composer Kirk Whalum issued the first The Gospel According to Jazz recording comes its third chapter. Recorded live at Reid Temple in Glenn Dale, MD, the set contains a stellar backing band that includes Reginald Veal on upright bass, organist Jerry Peters, percussionist Lenny Castro, trumpeter Aaron Broadus, and additional horns, vocals, and backing vocals. As is customary for these recordings, there are also a number of special guests including George Duke, Lalah Hathaway, Doc Powell, John Stoddart, and a slew of family members including sons, uncles, cousins, and nephews. The double-disc soundtrack contains the entire concert.

Disc one begins with Whalum playing solo on Call to Worship, a Coltrane-esque recitation of hymns in modal fashion. Things get funkier on the New Orleans-inspired funky yet straight-ahead jazz in Whalum's original Fit to Battle, before moving toward Latin-tinged jazz on Ananias and Sapphira. Hathaway and Stoddart do a lovely job on the Nat Adderley-Luther Vandross tune Make Me a Believer they are stellar on He s Been Just That Good, and Stoddardt shines on his original If You Ever Need Me, with inventive and elegant scat singing. Duke s piano is gorgeously lyrical on Because You Loved Me. Disc two contains the funky soul-jazz of Jesus Africa Jesus, with its faux reggae rhythm section underscoring Whalum's soprano before it becomes a rap tune. Hathaway makes a return appearance on his It s What I Do, and on a very contemporary gospel reading of The Thrill Is Gone that keeps B.B. King's blues feel intact. One of the two bonus tracks features Bishop T.D. Jakes and his wife Serita on You Are Everything, that echoes Barry White's amorous recitations -- only quite wholesomely -- to close it out. Ultimately, this is a set that appeals more to Whalum s gospel fans than to his jazz fans, but that has nothing whatsoever to do with the quality of what s here. All the musical performances are top-notch and walk his wonderful trademark line between straight-ahead and contemporary jazz, urban gospel and R&B. This the finest chapter in the series yet. Thom Jurek, All Music Guide --All Music Guide

Product Description

2010 two CD release from the Jazz saxophonist. Kirk Whalum elevates his award winning Gospel According To Jazz series to a new level with a live-recorded double CD set featuring the best in Contemporary Jazz, Gospel and Urban music. This effort, both visually and audibly, demonstrates the deep connections between Gospel and Jazz. Its revised renditions of commonly known tunes socially connect with the listener on a horizontal level that seeks to usher in a vertical spiritual relationship. Features guest appearances from George Duke, Lalah hathaway, Doc Powell and others.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Jazz + Great Gospel = Kirk Whalum, May 6, 2010

By	Arthur S. Leitzke "bookseller" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Gospel According to Jazz - Chapter 3 (Audio CD)

Positives: Great sound overall, you cannot go wrong with Kirk Whalum. Bringing back George Duke from GAJ2 was awesome. Excellent interpretation of popular songs bringing into the Christian realm: "Because You Loved Me" and "Make Me a Believer" fit right into the theme. Kirk's brother Kevin is such a great singer, especially on "Running Away".

Negatives: Missed Jonathan Butler in "Falling in Love with Jesus" from GAJ2, he brought a spirituality to that song and added a touch to the whole CD/DVD in general that is missing from this new work. Also missed Paul Jackson Jr. on guitar, don't get me wrong, love Doc Powell, just personal taste. Don't know what is going on the last song "You are Everything" with the spoken word, very weird, did not fit the CD at all. Also the song "Ananias & Sapphira", don't know what's that about. I wish they had a Blu-Ray version, but I guess its too expensive to make it.

Summary: If you like to hear great musicians at their best playing songs that praise God, this it the CD/DVD. The fact that Kirk includes his family brings a value that Christian music in general is lacking now a days. I could write much more praises to this work, but instead of going on and on I would just Highly Recommend it. If you are familiar with GAJ2 this work is better produced and recorded, not necessarily better in all aspects though.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Eclectic, April 25, 2010

By	Chantel N. Nelson (Arlington, TX United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Gospel According to Jazz - Chapter 3 (Audio CD)

This is a good mixed compilation of old standards with contemporary pieces that have been artistically modified to be more "Christian" in nature. I have been very pleased with the mix of vocals and instrumental works. I listen to it at work and others have enjoyed it and have been complimentary of it as well.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Gospel and Cleverness, March 24, 2010

By	Eric R. Sturms "Prophetwalker" (Dearborn, MI United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Gospel According to Jazz - Chapter 3 (Audio CD)

This is another notable addition to the series but it seems as if the teaching part of the entertaining from earlier works is losing some steam. I hope that Kirk regains it for volume four. His uncle was fine but the rap on "Africa Jesus Africa" was misplaced and disappointing. George Duke continues to shine and the cut with T.D. Jakes should be avoided as mush and contrivance unless one is overly sentimental.