Carlene Davis - Alive For Jesus: Live Praise Vol 1
STYLE: Reggae RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 13812-13569 LABEL: VP GSPTCD0914 FORMAT: CD Album ITEMS: 1 RRP: £12.99
Reviewed by Tony Cummings
When this album was released in 2002 there was a big push by Carlene and her producer and songwriter husband Tommy Cowan to establish the lovely lady not only as the unquestioned queen of reggae gospel but as an internationally acclaimed gospel star out there with the Yolanda Adamses and the Winans clan. This live set recorded probably at Jamaica's Fun In The Sun event (the uninformative sleeve doesn't tell us the recording location) with the Kencoth SDA Youth Choir and some hand-picked accompanying musicians. Alongside plenty of JA sounds there are also lots of non-reggae R&B rhythms behind Davis' and the choir's powerful vocals. Carlene is certainly in good voice, her rich contralto soaring effortlessly on some unexpected covers like Hillsong's "Lord I Give You My Heart" and a predictable run through of "Precious Lord". But in truth despite all the acrobatic note bending and enthusiastic mini sermons from the good lady, it is reggae numbers like "Walk The Walk" and a reggae-fication of Charlie Landsborough's "My Forever Friend" which work best. And the toasting by Tamara Jones on "Wish I Knew Then" is wonderful.
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