Reviewed by Trevor Kirk

After years spent in the technological wilderness, last Christmas we bought a DVD player, and now we don't know what we ever did without one. Possessing this piece of kit has enabled me to be able to recommend this mega-value, double CD and double DVD release by EMI Gospel of the farewell concert of one of the better US gospel choirs of recent years. Donald Lawrence and the Tri-City Singers first got together in 1991, and their career since then has been littered with hit albums, especially the Grammy-nominated 'A Song-Writer's Point Of View' from 1993, which was my first experience of their distinctive style, part urban, part R&B, part praise and worship. Listening to the audio alone doesn't convey the exuberance of the event; although some of Donald's direction is a tad obtrusive, and the purple shirt and matching tie with huge pink spots that he wears for the first part of the gig would offend the Clothing Taste Police, everyone has a great time, and hats off to the Tri-City guys and gals for endurance - the total playing time of the two audio CDs is over two hours and 20 minutes. Add some inspired soloists, especially LeJuene Thompson, and a guest appearance by gospel veteran Daryl Coley, and you have a audio-visual treat for all aficionados of the genre.

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