Reviewed by Tony Cummings

It was a live album released in 2000 which catapulted Donnie to gospel superstardom. That one was recorded in London (. . . well, Croydon actually) and this new set recorded last September at Straight Gate Church in Detroit shows that McClurkin's ability to soar, growl, shout and make with the smooth jazz sounds has not diminished. Several of McClurkin's best-known songs are here; "Speak To My Heart" is something of a choir classic while the vamp on "Stand" is truly uplifting as Donnie drives it along with his soulful ad libs. McClurkin touches many musical bases here, from trad gospel to funk to reggae (the fun-filled "Caribbean Medley") to the closer, "I Will Follow You" which amazingly has something of a Celtic feel. If you buy only one live gospel album this year, this is probably the one to get.

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