Kim Burrell Albums (4)
What The Critics Say
Dubbed by some as "this generation's Ella Fitzgerald" for her uncanny brilliance at blending vocal jazz and gospel sensibilities, the veteran singer was hardly inactive during her years between her last Tommy Boy date in 2001 and this brilliant re-emergence on Shanachie in 2009. Craftily balancing secular and religious recording and performing endeavors, she's continued to be the toast of the gospel world while working with everyone from Chaka Khan and Stevie Wonder to R. Kelly and, in 2009, George Clinton on the funkster's George Clinton and His Gangsters of Love, also on Shanachie. She reminds listeners of her secular and jazz vibes in a single swoop on the "Prelude" to this disc, scatting her way through a Wonder riff. Then she launches her full-on praise report with the vibrant, uptempo declaration "Happy," composed with her co-producer, Chris "Big Dog" Davis. Working with a colorful palette of arrangements, styles, and tempos, she follows a bold and brassy choir singalong like the title track and a thoughtful and contemplative "I Surrender All" with a lovely, passionate rendering of "Someone to Watch Over Me" -- a secular song she reinterprets as an expression of worship. From there, it's a mix of infectious renditions of well-known church tunes and beautiful originals (which could easily become standards of their own) like "Jesus" and the choir-enhanced "Yes to Your Will." In her liner notes, the powerhouse singer writes: "What an amazing life to live...music." Longtime fans waiting impatiently for this emotionally and spiritually compelling album to come along will be glad that she's making her own music again after years of applying her talents to the works of others. ~ Jonathan Widran, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
One of the few top female gospel performers who writes her own material, Burrell shines in this all too short but very intense nine song performance in front of 5,000 at the Church of God in Christ Convocation in Memphis. The explosive "I'll Keep Holding On" is fire-starting Holy Ghost musical energy at its most dynamic, and even her "yeah yeahs" at the beginning could make believers out of an agnostic! It's a totally convincing appeal to trust the Lord during hard times. She lets loose there, but hits closer to home in guttural excitement on the ballads "Since Jesus" and "Holy Ghost." Her five backup singers convey the power of a whole choir. Released also as a video, Live in Concert balances the simple power of the slower tunes with knee-slappers like "Anything" which feature inspired interaction with her singers on the chorus sections. She also shows a little jazz influence on this tune and "I'll Keep Holding On," as well as on the moody, Rhodes-driven ballad "Try Me Again." The full power of gospel is best achieved and received in the live setting, and Burrell makes the most of this opportunity to share the power of her faith. ~ Jonathan Widran, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Try Me Again shows how fully formed Burrell's unique gospel style was even at the beginning of her career. Beginning with its soulful opener, "Prayer Changes Things," which has the jazzy, mellow feel of an early Roberta Flack side, Try Me Again is that rarity, a gospel album more dependent on gentle understatement than revival tent fervor. Even on the most impassioned tracks, like the choir-supported "Home," Burrell sings with easy grace, never over-souling her songs with unnecessary melisma or other grating vocal tics, and her production emphasizes rootsy, old-school instrumentation instead of the glossy synths that have crept into so many CCM albums. All in all, Try Me Again is a sensational debut that matches Kim Burrell's better-known later albums and deserves a wider profile. ~ Stewart Mason, All Music Guide
