Reviewed by Trevor Kirk

As mega-value CDs go, this is one of the best I’ve seen lately, over 75 minutes from Mr Williams, well known to gospel music anoraks as one of the Williams Brothers singing group from years gone by with his siblings Melvin and Henry, who crop up at regular intervals throughout this album as songwriters and singers. There’s a good mix of gospel styles here: some traditional stuff, which Doug dedicates to the memory of his late father Frank, founder of the legendary Mississippi Mass Choir; there’s also some smooth soulful stuff, thankfully free of the exaggerated vocal histrionics that spoil things so often for me; and given the playing time, this is a good one to get hold of. Production quality is excellent, which is not surprising, as a lot of it was recorded and mixed at Terminal Studios, one of the top facilities in Jackson, Mississippi, and everyone’s on the note, singers and players alike. Standout track on first playing is “Mary Did You Know”, not the Buddy Greene and Mark Lowry Yuletide opus, but a Melvin Williams composition which nevertheless nods lyrically in that direction. Very enjoyable.

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