Pastor Rudolph McKissick Jr.The Word and Worship Mass Choir
What a Time!
(2004)
Reviewed by Shawn Dickinson
Pastor Rudolph McKissick Jr. and his congregation know how to 'have church'. Growing up in the conservative Midwest, I'm jealous of the excitement and joy the congregation of Florida's Bethel Baptist Institutional Church display on What a Time! Stylistically this live CD is described as "capturing the 'Bethel Experience,' an exuberant worship experience that is part of the life of the church." From the synth-driven opener "I Want to Say Thank You" to the closing hymn "How Great Thou Art", the disc balances multiple emotional highs and lows. Bethel prides themselves (and succeeds) on diverse song selection, as well as mixing various genres (R&B, urban, contemporary) into each service, to "provide something for everybody."
The only fault I find with What a Time! is that it never fully captured my attention. In terms of the musical aspects, this CD lacks nothing. Pastor McKissick Jr. leads a 200-voice choir and band that can lay low during ballads or take the spotlight on upbeat jams. Gospel veterans, who have worked with the Georgia Mass Choir, Kirk Franklin, and Yolanda Adams, fill production and songwriting credits. All elements are so well mixed that nothing stands out as a highlight on the disc. Fans of gospel music will enjoy adding What a Time! to their collection, while gospel newcomers may try more accessible artists, such as Kirk Franklin, as an introduction to the genre.
3 tocks
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1996Alvin SlaughterGod Can!
1993BeBe & CeCeFirst Christmas
2000Gary OliverMore Than Enough
