Mass choir in Christian & Gospel Music

"Calling on You: Live" (04/17/2001) Gospel Chicago Mass Choir, New HavenChicago Mass Choir includes: Lemmie Battles, Patricia Clifton, Robert Blair, Fred Dubose, Reverend Thomas Adams, David Holmes, Donyelle Henderson, Feranda Williamson, Felicia Welch, Bruce Ford, Lewis Clark, Jr. (vocals); Percy Gray, Jr. (spoken vocals); Jeral Gray, Sr. (arranger, keyboards); Joey Woolfalk (guitar); Eric Troy, Phillip Feaster, Lennard Razor (keyboards); Erron Williams (synthesizer, sequencing); Eugene Harris (bass); Terrance Williams (drums, programming); Natasha Cowan, Joe Cutts (tambourine). Recorded live at Christ Unity Evangelistic Church, Chicago, Illinois. CALLING ON YOU was nominated for the 2002 Grammy Award for Best Gospel Choir Or Chorus Album. Personnel: David Holmes, Patricia Clifton, Lewis Warrick, Bruce Ford, Lemmie Battles, Percy Gray, Jr., Robert Blair (vocals); Joey Woolfalk (guitar); Jeral Gray, SR., Eric Troy (keyboards); Eugene "Bud" Harris (bass guitar). Recording information: Christ Unity Evangelistic Church, Chicago, IL. Directors: William Hamilton; Percy Gray, Jr. Photographer: Paul Wharton. No matter the title of the song, gospel music always seems to be saying the same thing, and it is always joyous, whether the choir is offering a mass "Prayer" (the opening track) or realizing that "You Can't Hurry God." The true unrestrained spirit of a huge gospel choir is best communicated on that latter song, which features the intense lead vocals of Robert Blair, who goes solo on the verses and is joined resoundingly by the choir as the Hammond B-3 stirs up a fire down below. Crowd sounds complete the picture. And there's no resisting the simple, bouncy clapalong "If God Said It." Almost as interesting is "I'm Blessed," which features lead singer Fred Dubose sermonizing and commenting ? la Kirk Franklin. On the other hand, "Calling on You" comes across almost like a David Foster studio ballad, a pretty enough song but a little generic compared to all the unrestrained emotion on the rest of this disc. The label owner's liner notes talk about God's favor being upon this group, and that would extend to the listener who can't help but be blessed by all the joy. ~ Jonathan Widran

"The Power of Worship" (09/23/2003) Gospel VIP Mass Choir, VerityPersonnel includes: Rev. John P. Kee (vocals, strings, horns, programming); Shelia Lakin, Shawn McLemore (vocals); Tim Mole, Erick Brice (guitar); Garland Waller (piano, brass); Regi Miner, Kevin Wylie (organ); Al Kee (bass); Chris Kee (drums). Recorded live at The New Life Sound Stage, Charlotte, North Carolina. Personnel: VIP Mass Choir (vocals); John P. Kee (vocals, strings, horns, piano, organ, marimba, percussion, drum programming); Curtis Lewis, VIP Youth Choir, New Life, VIP Praise Team, Senior Ministry, Shelia Lakin, Partakrew, Victory In Praise Choral Ensemble, John Henry Shannon, Shawn McLemore (vocals); Tredell Kee (guitar, organ); Tim Mole, Eric Brice (guitar); John P. Kee III (strings, piano); Justin Kee (strings); Garland Waller (brass, piano); Ivan Powell (piano); Kevin Wylie, Reggie Miner (organ); Calvin Rodgers, Chris Kee (drums). Audio Mixer: Jake Hunter. Recording information: Phat Haus, Charlotte, NC; The Loft, Matthews, NC; The New Life Sound Stage, Charlotte, NC. Director: Alonzo Atkins. Unknown Contributor Roles: Stuart Talton; Calvin Young; David Smith . Arranger: John P. Kee.

"Right Now God" (12/11/2001) Gospel Alaska Mass Choir, JDIPersonnel: Dorinda Clark-Cole, Michael Bereal (vocals); Charile "CSUN" Bereal, Darrell Crooks (guitar); Jason White (organ, percussion); Dion Neuble (drums, percussion). Audio Mixers: Don Williams; Jason White ; Michael Bereal. Liner Note Author: Don Williams. Recording information: Anchorage, AK. Arrangers: Don Williams; Dorinda Clark-Cole.

"Live in Nashville" (02/18/2003) Gospel Chicago Mass Choir, New HavenChicago Mass Choir includes: Lemmie Battles, Felicia Welch, Percy Gray, Jr., Patricia Clifton, Dr. Feranda Williamson, Tammy Smith, Pamela R. Crawford, Deanna Walcott (vocals). Recorded live at Pentecostal Tabernacle Church, Nashville, Tennessee. Personnel: Derrick Buckingham, Rodney Jones, Sharay Reed (guitar); Philip Feaster (strings, horns, piano, organ); Mario Vaughn (organ); Calvin Rodgers (drums); Diante Johnson (drum programming). Liner Note Author: Percy Gray, Jr. Recording information: ARS Studio; Pente Costal Tabernacle Church, Inc; Performance Recording; Performance, Studio City, CA. Directors: William Hamilton; Percy Gray, Jr.; Felica Welch. Editors: Marty Bilecki; Barry Rose.

"God Gets the Glory" (09/04/1991) Gospel Mississippi Mass Choir, MalacoPersonnel includes: Huey Williams, Melvin Williams, Doug Williams, Rev. James Moore, Rev. Milton Biggham, Jerry Smith, Dr. Thurston Cox, Frank Williams, Lillian Lilly, Rev. Benjamin Cone, Jr. Producers: Frank Williams, David Curry, Jerry Smith. Recorded live at Mississippi Coliseum, Mississippi on December 8, 1990. Personnel: Dennis Bonds, Keith Brown (guitar); David Curry (strings, organ); Jerry Smith (piano); Jimmy Wyatt (organ); Brian Wilke (drums, percussion); Sam Scott (percussion). Audio Mixers: Jerry Masters; Norman Williams. Recording information: Mississippi State Coliseum, Jackson, MS. Directors: David Curry; Dorcus Curry Thigpen; Jerry Smith. Photographer: Errol Dillon. Unknown Contributor Role: Jerry Mannery. This album is a guaranteed ear-pleaser from the first cut to the last. Whether you're in the mood for rocking, rhythmic praises or meditative, reflective worship, the music contained in this live recording will bless you as well as entertain you. ~ Edwin Smith

"The Mississippi Mass Choir" (03/28/1990) Gospel Mississippi Mass Choir, MalacoThe Mississippi Mass Choir includes: Jerry Smith, Sister Desarie Johnson, Lillian Lilly, Reverend Ben Cone, Franklin Williams, Angela Curry, David R. Curry, Verona Brown, Barbara Harper, Larry Terrell, Pricilla Daniels, John Franklin, Reverend Ben Cone (vocals). Additional personnel includes: Keith Brown, Tony Harris (guitar); Ralph Lafton (organ); Sam Scott (bass, drums, percussion); Allen Golden (bass); Brian Williamson (drums). The Jackson Southernaires include: Reverend Milton Biggham, Reverend James Moore, Brother Huey Williams (vocals). Producers: Franklin Williams, David R. Curry, Jr. Recorded live at Jackson Municipal Auditorium, Jackson, Mississippi on October 29, 1988. All tracks have been digitally remastered. THE MISSISSIPPI MASS CHOIR received 4 Stellar Awards in 1989: Choir Of The Year, Album Of The Year, Best New Artist, Best Gospel Video. Personnel includes: Rev. James Moore, Rev. Milton Biggham, Bro. Huey Williams, Jerry Smith, Sis. Desarie Johnson, Lillian Lilly, Rev. Ben Cone, Franklin Williams, Angela Curry, David R. Curry. Recorded live at Jackson Municipal Auditorium, Jackson, Mississippi on October 29, 1988. Personnel: Agee Joseph, Huey Williams, Rev. James Moore , Milton Biggham (vocals); Cyntia Smith, Maggie Stanton, Azel Smith, Leah Curry, Keesha Brown, Annie Kidd, Priscilla Daniels, Alicia Taylor, Melissa Dean, Michelle Bennette, Connie Williams, Earnestine Bailey, Cheryl Brown, Dorothy Huddleston, Althea Morris, Barbara Harper, Stacy Atkins, Katrina Williams, Judy McCullum, Dorothy Thornton, Christine McCurtis, Mary Ratliff, Linda Brown, Kevin Weatherspoon, Kate Price, Lillian Lilly, Mark Griffin, Rhonda Smith (soprano); Min. Willie Thornton, Darryl Otis Smith, J.C. Beene, Larry Tyrrell, Curtis Shears, Roy Caston, Johnnie Clay, Willie Key, Jimmy Cotton, David Woods, Chris Wheatley, Barry Bolden, Reggie Stewart, Cedric Cole, Danny R. Huddleston, Perthea Brown, Willie Carey, Luther Williams, Delace White, John Swanigan, Henry Clark, Jeffery Theodore, Glenn Stamps, Stevie J. Jordan, Van Whittley, Reginald C. Stewart, Michael Rogers, Jimmy Lewis , Michael Cox , Thomas Richardson, William Bell, Demetrius Smith (tenor); Keith Brown, Tony Harris (guitar); Allen Golden (strings, horns, bass guitar); David Curry, Norman Williams (strings, horns); Jerry Lee Smith, Jerry Smith (keyboards); Sam Scott (bass guitar, drums, percussion); Brian Wilke (drums). Audio Mixer: Jerry Masters. Recording information: Jackson City Auditorium, Jackson, MS. Photographer: Errol Dillon. Unknown Contributor Role: Jackson Southernaires. Recorded live in front of an enthusiastic congregation at Jackson, Mississippi's Jackson City Auditorium, this disc gives a roof-raising sampling of the vocal and musical machine that is the Mississippi Mass Choir. The album also provided the blueprint for a string of commercially successful albums subsequently released by the Grammy-nominated choir. The opening track features inspired vocal work from guest vocalists Rev. Milton Biggham, Huey Williams, and Rev. James Moore and from choir member Desarie Johnson. Whenever the 100-plus-member Mississippi Mass Choir adds a blast of backing vocals, the results are positively earthshaking. An extremely talented backing band lays down thick layers of bass-busy funk, further bolstering these tracks. Highlights include the nine-minute "Near the Cross" and the rousing "Having You There." If you're looking for a can't-miss gospel album, this is the place to go.