Reviewed by Andy Charalambous

Whether or not you believe this to be a live album will depend wholly on your perception of the type of audience who just happen to be fading in and out rather too efficiently whilst whistling and a whooping, hollering and a clapping. Nothing unusual about that perhaps - especially if you happen to be watching WCW Wrestling or indeed American Football as their presence would seem to indicate that they were somewhere else other than a gospel concert. Anyway that's beside the point, as generally this is a good album which has been cast very heavily within the traditional mould. In credible terms, this means that it would be more suited for you mum and dad as the whole production possesses that feel of the 60s rather than the up to the minute vibrancy of 80s black gospel. Pearson it would seem has gone to great lengths to create a sound of pure culture and definitive quality as there are lots of strings and plenty of horns to accompany a melodic choir whose average age must be at least 45. Even when the illustrious John P Kee makes a couple of appearances on the tracks, "Hallelujah is The Highest Praise" and "Have A Little Talk With Jesus" does the album barely get heated above the tepid level.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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