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Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir - I'm Amazed....Live
Ino Records, 2005
By Jamin Tuttle
October 17, 2005
Credentials, the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir has them—30 years of making music; 22 albums with some $4 million in sales; 6, count ‘em 6, Grammy awards on the shelf, and now a new album. Carol Cymbala calls this “the most eclectic project we’ve ever done.” She should know, she’s the founder and director of the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Started to support the ministry of her husband, the pastor at Brooklyn Tabernacle, it’s now one of the most recognized choirs in the world.
The album is filled with many different styles, which is not surprising since the choir ministers to one of the most diverse congregations in the United States. From the Latin and bi-lingual flair of “Gloria” to the soul of “Heaven On My Mind” we are taken on a musical journey.
I’m Amazed….Live opens with the moving and inspirational “Thou O Lord.” It’s a beautifully arranged piece that calls God “my glory and the lifter of my head.”
Jason Crabb (The Crabb Family) solos on the title track “I’m Amazed.” Cymbala says she wrote the song after speaking to a group of choir directors and sharing with them the story of a homeless man who came to hear the choir sing on Easter Sunday and ended up turning his life around. From that came the fitting lyrics, “I’m amazed that you love me, I’m amazed how you care.”
Luther Barnes (The Barnes Family) and Donnie McClurkin also guest on the album. McClurkin lends his voice to “Song of Moses” which closes the album. A stirring, theatrical piece it builds to a fitting end to the musical journey that showcases just how powerful a voice McClurkin has.
The choir, of course, is also a highlight throughout the album. The mix is done to highlight their voices and it does so. Every song is a top-notch performance musically. The songs are well written and lyrically compelling pieces, yet even with that I still found myself wanting something more. The album is a “live” recording, but many times that just means what was good in concert is kept and the rest is fixed in the studio. (That’s a common practice in all genres of music.) For me, the performances on this are at times just that, performances. A few times I longed for more stripped down arrangements on some songs, which sounded overwhelmed by the orchestra.
Overall, it is a strong outing from the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, but it is a Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir album—they’re the gold standard for choirs. Fans will love this one, as will anyone who likes inspirational music. However if your idea of a “church choir” involves lots of dancing, sweating, crying, and shouting, then this one won’t get it done. (Though I would recommend it for anyone looking for music for an Easter or Christmas drama. Many of the songs are very theatrical in style and would fit in very well.)
One additional note: Proceeds from album sales fund many of the Brooklyn Tabernacle’s outreach programs. Among them is a literacy program for adults that has helped hundreds of people learn to read and get their GED. Many other community initiatives are helped out by their sales.
ninetyandnine.com
© 2005, Jamin Tuttle
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Jamin Tuttle is the Youth Pastor at Point of Grace Family Praise Fellowship in Madison, IN. He enjoys spending time with his wife Sarah and little girl Lauryn. He is also trying to get his reviews to ninetyandnine.com quicker.