Customer Reviews

Worship and Praise: Live at Foxwoods

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Reading some of these reviews made me laugh out loud for real. And I understand where many of them are coming from. Long time James Hall and WAP fans know that this set could have been better. I agree 'Live At Foxwoods' does not match up to their previous efforts. But I just want to point out a couple things:

* Remember Foxwood's is a casino, not a church or concert hall. Don't look for the 2006 Voices Of Citadel sound here (and that set is excellent so you know James still has it). I think Minister Hall was going for a more experimental sound here, and even the album cover hints at that. Sometimes it worked. Sometimes it didn't work as well. But I would not say that there are any horrible tracks. Just subpar for James and the crew ... which still puts them in front of many gospel releases today.

* The sound quality on my CD did not match what we've heard by WAP in the past, but again: it's not horrible. Maybe there are variances from pressing to pressing. It's happened before.

My opinion is that you will like this album IF you know going in that it is not going to live up to the previous stuff like 'King Of Glory' and 'Chapter III'. Think about Stevie Wonder's early 70's work compared to his later work in the 80's and 90's. But Stevie is Stevie is Stevie, and ya still love his music even if the creative spark may not burn as brightly as it once did in the early years.

I think the same thing is going on here with James Hall and WAP. I'm just hoping that this creative lull is a temporary one. Meanwhile, enjoy the strong songs from 'Foxwoods' and allow the not-so-strong ones to grow on you. You may be surprised to find out how much you may end up liking them.

Like some of the other reviewers, I too am an AVID Jams Hall & WAP fan! I would (and still will) buy ANYTHING that James Hall puts out because I am just that much of a fan. That being said, I was somewhat disappointed with this project overall. I think it is missing some of the elements we have come to expect and love from James Hall. Perhaps one element that is missing is Melvin Crispell's writing. He only wrote one track on this project and I am used to hearing more of his writing on a James Hall & WAP project. After all, how can you have a James Hall & WAP with no Melvin Crispell "bump" song like "Caught Up", or "Too Close"? Or no Melvin Crispell smooth, jazzy number like "He Is Sweet I Know", or "Hide Me"?

Also, there is no real stand out song or anthem on this CD (I.e. "The Blood" or "Great Is Our God".), although "Great Is the Mystery of Godliness" is OK. The sound quality on much of this recording leaves much to be desired, and it is hard to excuse a veteren artists like James Hall for something like poor sound quality. The choir also lacks the crisp, clear sound they exhibited on "We Are At War". The opening track "Perfect Peace" had such potential with it's nice, jazzy intro, but the song is too simple and repetitive, and lacks the punch and musical genius of "God Is In Control" and "We Are At War".

Don't get me wrong, I still think the CD is OK, and it is a lot better than some of the other, more disappointing projects that artists have released this year (like Byron Cage), and the CD provides pretty good listening material, but this project overall does not live up to James Hall & WAP's previous recordings. I do hope his next CD is a return to the music that church choirs and community choirs across the nation add to their repetoire to raise their standards. Like another reviewer said, if you are new to James Hall & WAP, check out one of their older projects or the "Best Of" CD. Also, I think Ricky Dillard's CD "7th Episode" is far superior this time around.

Straight up - you will be hard-pressed to find a bigger James Hall/W&P supporter than myself, and when I head this album was coming out I pre-ordered it the same MINUTE, cause if it's James Hall, I'M BUYING IT - no questions asked....

Having said that, this is BY FAR his worst album!!!......BY FAR!! It does not have that.....SPICE that James Hall fans will be used to - (you know what I'm talking about - think of songs like 'Oh the Blood', 'Real', 'I've Come to Praise', 'No Joy, No Strength'....)

I will always be a James Hall/W&P supporter for life - for other fans out there that don't have the cd yet - prepare to be disappointed. For people that don't really know much about James Hall/W&P, skip this joint, and purchase some of their older albums....("King of Glory", "God is in Control", "We are at War" just to name a few.....)

As an avid supporter of James and WAP, I was so excited when I heard about this project. When I finally found it in stores I couldnt wait to get to my car. Well, I must say had I known then what I know now.... I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS TO ANYONE! This is the worst of all of their cds. There are points that the recording quality sounds as if it was done in someones bathroom! If you must have this, purchase a used copy!

James Hall is still the same. Good music and some odd risks. I didnt like some of the risks, but half of the gospel garbage thats out there doesnt come close.

The biggest downfall is the sound. It sounds like Satan was running the sound board, and that really upset me. The sound makes the music less enjoyable. I like the direction James is headed, and if he continues in this direction his next project will far surpass this one. James is still the "Duke Of Gospel".

If u check the reviews Ive written on James they all have 5 starts...that's because his music is the best...However on this cd he kinda left me wanting more...I luv the cd but I still wanted someting more... neway James is evolving music wise and people may not understand his music, like a friend of mine said,James is big on music theory...neway despite the sound quality not being stellar i still find most of the songs enjoyable...

1. That Shall He Reap

2. Nothing Shall Separate me

3. Praise

4. Deep down in My Heart(despite of James squalling...lol)

5.Help Me 2 follow

6. He'll Make things better

I am truly a James Hall & W&P fan. This double cd is a little different than his other projects, but never the less, it is done in the James Hall style.

I play this double cd just about everyday, and I have my favorite picks. Please go out and purchase this awesome cd, if you're a James Hall fan, you will love it.

I've listened to the new James Hall - Worship and Praise project and I am really enjoying it. I have been a James Hall fan since the "God is in Control" project, and I am still amazed that Professor Hall has been able to be a little edgy musically, but still stick to his Gospel Roots. Music, in any way shape or form is going to be a little different, but one of the creative things about being an artist is understanding the approach of incorporating a new and interesting sound, but not forgetting the message. James Hall will never become a traditional gospel artist and I am glad that he uses the Gift that God has given him to create a new sound, but deliver the same message, that Jesus Christ is Lord and He will do exactly what He said he would do.

I got this CD. I waited so long for it. You have to respect an artist that is willing to experiment. They are still giving what they normally give...the unexpected and highly skilled. "Great is the Mystery of Godliness" is very complex. I love "Perfect Peace" because it is simple. I think people are expecting this to be the killer songs that they normally do. Just like 'Peace Brotha' said, this was recorded at the Foxwoods Casino. Also, this is WAP choir not the church choir, Voices of Citadel. WAP is a performance choir. "Praise" is what I expected...shouting music (because that is what they do @ The Citadel in BK). I also like "That Shall He Reap". There are no very strong songs in my opinion, but, you gotta let it be what it is. James Hall has set such high standards for himself and everyone else, even, he has to take a break from it at some time.

Nice follow-up album for the maestro James Hall and Worship & Praise, however not as impressed with the sound quality (especially in comparison to past projects). Nonetheless, this project is another tool to show this innovative music ministry's level of uniqueness and ability to stand out from the rest! Would love to see a live DVD accompaniment!