Shirley Caesar and Friends
Various Artists
(GALLO)
A record of greats: great songs, spearheaded by one of the gospel industry's greatest songbirds in collaboration with some of the greatest singers known not only to gospel, but to other genres as well.
If you're wondering what the fuss is about, then go out and sample Shirley Caesar's latest release, Shirley Caesar and Friends.
The gospel mogul has returned with a refreshing compilation of tracks performed with some of the music industry's top artists.
Kirk Franklin, Oleta Adams, Faith Evans and Desmond Pringle are among the featured artists on Pastor Shirley Caesar's new release.
And what would a Shirley Caesar album be without a dash of old school gospel flavour - long-time music mavericks Patti Labelle, Dotti Peoples and Gladys Knight together with Caesar take care of this aspect of the record. I Know It Was The Blood is just one of the powerful old-school-type tracks that touches the spirit in ways that no words can truly describe.
Tracks like I'm Ready (with Kirk Franklin performing in true Franklin style) and Hurting Women (with Faith Evans) prove that the generation gap in the industry is one easily narrowed when the two come together on common ground - in this case to celebrate Jesus Christ.
The album truly proves to be one for all seasons, with tracks of praise, worship and testimony.
The album is a must for any gospel collection. And with Valentine's Day here, the record makes for a special blessing for that special someone in your life, all you'd really have to stress over is the colour of the bow (decisions, decisions). -