::ALBUM REVIEW::

Call him a very busy man. On the heels of the success of best-selling book Woman, Thou Art Loosed!, Bishop T.D. Jakes, pastor of mega-church The Potter’s House, decided to record gospel project. His first, based on the best-selling book, was taped at a Atlanta convention and released in 1997. It also yielded a gold-certified companion video. For his sophomore project, Jakes summoned his Dallas-based church choir to accompany him on Live from the Potter’s House. With Steven Ford back in the production seat, Live from the Potter’s House surrounds the evangelistic flow of Jakes’ popular sermons and is accompanied in most places with his gritty spoken word narrations. But it is the brilliant cast of guest singers and triumphant soundtrack that solidifies the great wonder of the album’s excellence. The ten track collection is seamed together with Jakes’ opening remarks and flows like one long concert. And though the songs are stretched out over lengthy periods - mostly with big encores and reprises - the dynamics are always changing and captures the interest of listeners.

After a splendid introduction, done in the taste of a dramatic Steven Spielberg action film, Jakes naarates over “Majesty;” an upbeat contemporary gospel jam that would fit in any urban worship service. “High In All The Earth” is a splendid work of calm calypso and rocking gospel that allows the Potter’s House Mass Choir’s harmonies to shine at their finest. The album’s big radio single, “Let’s Just Praise the Lord,” is a wise remake of an Edwin Hawkins Music and Arts Seminar contribution that finds Jakes out front providing necessary and inspiring spoken word ad-libs.

The ballads are also quite interesting - dipped in sweeping strings and powerful solo performances. Guy Robinson’s “Lord My God” is a lovely worship piece that climaxes with a big Mississippi Mass Choir delivery. “Let’s Give Him Praise” features the mind-blowing tenor of Jesse Campbell. Campbell had a short-lived stint singing R&B after being picked up by the filmmaking duo The Hughes Brothers on their subsidiary label for Capitol Records, but on “Let’s Give Him Praise,” he is truly singing in his element and proves why he is has since been no stranger on gospel records. His passionate and convicting vocals drives the song into a much-needed reprise that carries the song to a lengthy nine minutes. “This Test Is Your Storm,” penned by Ford, is also well received, along with the following ballads of Carol Antrom’s touching “He’ll Meet My Need” and David Frazier’s “His Presence Is Here.”

Closing the album, “It Shall Be Done” is a funky Gap Band-esque prophetic workout that gives clearance to Brenda Whitfield-Ellis’ soaring lead vocals. The jam goes on for eight great minutes and finally fades out with Jakes’ serving as concert host.

It is no surprise to find out that the wise selection of songwriters, whom submit some of their most exquisite material, are highly responsible for the album’s glorious enjoyment. Call them veterans if you want, Carol Antrom, Eric McDaniel, Guy Robinson and David Frazier are all familiar names when conjuring thoughts of great gospel choir music. At one of Jakes’ towering peaks in his career, Live from the Potter’s House showcases just how he managed to bring in some of the wealthiest gospel music to his side. He’s not an accomplished singer and barely sings a note on the project. Closest you can get would be on “He’ll Meet My Need;” which reveals a gritty, deep baritone vocal that isn’t bad at all. But Jakes is known for his excellent preaching style and his poetic way of making the gospel tangible to his audience. He does just that on the album’s narrations and it works. With great music and Jakes’ considerable presence, you simply can’t go wrong.