Bishop Andrew Merritt & the Straight Gate Mass Choir - Faith In The House

Published Monday 19th February 2007
Bishop Andrew Merritt & the Straight Gate Mass Choir - Faith In The House
Bishop Andrew Merritt & the Straight Gate Mass Choir - Faith In The House

STYLE: Gospel
RATING 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 16675-12197
LABEL: Integrity 14482
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 1
RRP: £4.99

Reviewed by Lins Honeyman

This live gospel release from 2000 sees the mighty choir from Detroit's Straight Gate Church in action. Proceedings kick off with the uplifting soul funk of "Come Into His Presence" and it is evident that they mean business as they set about praising God and lifting his name with typical gospel fervour. Straight Gate's founder Bishop Andrew Merritt is listed as the album's creative consultant but, in truth, this is very much a team effort. Vocals duties are shared Zetta Chapman, Bruce Parham, Dana Powell and Vanessa Williams (not sure if this is the famous one) and this adds a welcome variety to the proceedings. Add to mix the awesome power of the choir and a top notch band and this is a polished piece of work that maintains the spontaneity of a live gospel experience whilst avoiding the tendency of some gospel releases to become mechanical in delivery. There is a healthy number of original songs mixed with more familiar numbers by other writers - "Thy Word" by Amy Grant and Michael W Smith and Lenny LeBlanc's standard "There Is None Like You" to name but a few - but it is Joseph Vogel's "Victory Chant" that stands out with Dana Powell effortlessly handling the song's numerous key changes. After the lively nature of the first few tracks, the majority of the album has a slower, more soulful feel - including a great rendition of Ron Kenoly's "Hallowed Be Your Name" - before cranking up the pace with the grinding funk of "Mustard Seed Faith" nearer the end. The album closes with the joyful "I Live By Faith" and this typifies the main theme of this release that faith is key to a fruitful relationship with God.

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