Moses Tyson Jr. World Class Gospel Music Jubilee [CD/DVD]

Recording information: St. Mark Baptist Church, Little Rock, AR.
Producer, executive producer, singer, organist, and "rearranger" Moses Tyson, Jr. assembles a varied live show of gospel music on his World Class Gospel Jubilee. There is traditional gospel, notably in the form of Ruby Terry's raucous rendition of "He's More Than Enough," and Bishop Brandon B. Porter's "Bless the Name of Jesus" (on which Porter throws in some preaching for good measure). But Tyson justifies his rearranging credit early on with a hip-hop, contemporary R&B arrangement of "Oh Happy Day" for Dita Jackson. It's one of several covers of pop hits from the late '60s and early `70s, and the only one that actually has an overtly religious theme. Tyson contributes his own cover of Johnny Nash's "I Can See Clearly Now," perhaps rationalizing its inclusion because of the lyric "Here is that rainbow I've been praying for," but Sly & the Family Stone's "Thank You Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin" is an even more ponderous selection. Here, Tyson restricts himself to singing the title in his husky tenor and throwing in the occasional "Lord." "Many Things (He Lives)," performed by Donté Everheart, is set to a synth pop arrangement, while Barbara Jean Davis' "Standing in the Need" features a screaming electric blues guitar solo. Tyson returns to cap things off with "Pray for Me," a bluesy organ instrumental. So, this is an eclectic collection reaching well beyond the confines of traditional gospel to incorporate secular songs and styles into Tyson's musical vision. ~ William Ruhlmann