Print: Praise Collection Signature Series Volume 1 (Various Artists) - Gospel Music Review on BlackGospel.com - Your Music Ministry Source (February, 2006)

Review Of
Praise Collection
Signature Series: Vol 1
Various Artists

February, 2006 on BlackGospel.com, Review by Jennifer Belot

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Besides flat tops, teased bangs and bright oversized sweaters, the 80’s and 90’s can be remembered by many as a time of legend-making in gospel music. The mega-gospel-stars of today were then simply biding their collective time, from the wings of obscurity into the glorious light of fame that would allow many artists to minister to masses that were previously thought unreachable by traditional gospel. It was a time when gospel music was setting itself up to go mainstream and Praise Collection’s Signature Series captures the gospel icons of today before they became household names in God-fearing homes.

Emmy-award producer Teresa Hannah is the visionary behind this series which spans nearly 20 years in the career of gospel music. She is shouldered by Dr. Bobby Jones with whom she previously collaborated with on “Nashville Gospel” from whence came the “Bobby Jones Gospel Show”. Jones acts as ambassador and historian on the DVD, injecting the series with his insiders’ knowledge of the industry and the genre he holds so near and dear to his heart. In his introduction of the series, he affectionately says “… Gospel music is inspiring, encouraging, uplifting and better than that, it’ll save your soul.”

Commissioned, headed by Fred Hammond leads the DVD with So Good To Know followed by Bebe & Cece Winans in Lost Without You. Once the viewer gets past the fact that the 90’s left us all victims to some ghoulish fashion statements, we recognize the budding talent of those we today call our best and brightest.

Donnie McClurkin and Yolanda Adams, who perhaps are the most recognizable names in gospel music today, show a graceful vigor in their musicality that’s timeless and mature beyond its years. Donnie, with his moving rendition of Speak To My Heart, possessed, even then, a regal stance and talented ability to translate music into a language that surpasses lyrical content. Yolanda, performing a cut from her More Than A Melody album in a voice that was just acquiring its signature color, even then possessed an evocative candor in her delivery that moves one to tears.

The more traditional roundup on this volume of the Signature Series includes Reverend James Moore riffing on his piano; The Fairfield Four looking dapper in their tuxedos and bow ties, laying down the testament of the enduring quality of quartet music; The undisputed First Lady of gospel Shirley Caesar bopping her sanctified head in God’s Got it All in Control; and Tramaine Hawkins’ fluid soprano in a sweetly stirring rendition of Amazing Grace.

Bishop Kenneth C Ulmer of the Faithful Central Bible Church culminates Volume I of the Praise Collection with a moving message entitled In His Image wherein he lays down the Word in a hermeneutical style that would have one wondering if Bishop Eddie L Long was not once the apprentice of this Biblical scholar (their styles are uncannily similar).

Each of the twelve DVDs in the Teresa Hannah Series similarly contain nine gospel performances by some of the biggest names in gospel music, an excerpt by Dr. Bobby Jones on the history of gospel music, an inspirational sermon from one of today’s leading ministers as well as bonus features such as interviews and testimonials from Hannah’s “Nashville Gospel” and “In the Spotlight” television shows.

Thus Praise Collection, without unnecessary pomp takes us back a decade or so in time and reminds us of the roots of our contemporary gospel music while educating us on the history of our church music and giving us a Word to keep in our hearts. The inspirational insight of Dr. Bobby Jones and the talented musicians who have grown to be the cantors of our lives each gives us a reason to lift up our voices and sing our own song of praise.