Reviewed by Paul Poulton

Shirley Caesar was born in 1938, so that means she's what some people consider of little musical value because music is a young person's game. Well some people should listen to 'Still Sweeping Through The City' because that's what Shirley is still doing, she's still sweeping through the city like a diminutive whirlwind. "Hold My Mute" is 9:30 minutes long and what a track! A story about a church who didn't believe in dancing, hee hee, what a laugh, it moves along with some grit and after the story has been told it erupts into a compelling groove. Some of the rhythms remind me of Mighty Clouds Of Joy, not surprising either as Joe Ligon, the 'Clouds' lead vocalist, is helping with this well rehearsed and well performed set of live songs. A trip down memory lane this album may be but it's bristling with energy and Shirley is a long way from being the archetypical old lady with a walking stick. Life in the new millennium has changed of course, and many old folks are not what they used to be, they are fitter, sharper and on the ball; Shirley is all of those things on this recording. The whole CD is rippling with wave after wave of vitality. 12 songs to challenge and encourage those young people who are struggling to keep up.

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