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Back Issues
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CD Review
The Gospel
Collection
James Morrison
©2005 Morrison Records
Review by Jo van Leerdam
James Morrison is an icon in the world of jazz music and has gained a
world wide reputation for outstanding musicianship. He has performed
around the world, and has shared a stage with jazz greats such as Dizzy
Gillespie, B.B. King and Ray Charles, who nicknamed him “The Genius”. In
addition to the trumpet, he plays trombone, euphonium, flugelhorn, tuba,
saxophones, and piano.
Although this is the first time James Morrison has made an album of gospel music and hymns, he’s not just one of those guys who records a gospel album because he thinks it will sell. He is a sincere Christian whose passion for the Lord flows through every note on this album, and he gives God the glory as his “ultimate inspiration”.
Morrison’s “Gospel Collection” is a selection of old and new hymns and gospel songs. There is a mix of instrumental and vocal tracks, with vocals being supplied by a group called ‘The Idea of North’. The new tunes on this album were written and arranged by Morrison, who says of his songs that his desire was to “write something theologically sound while making good poetry for the music”.
The musicianship on this album is outstanding. The album is well produced, so that the music is energetic and passionate, and the vocals are rich and vibrant, while the whole package remains well balanced and expertly mixed. The album provides a mix of gospel style, Dixieland jazz, and R&B/soul, so that there is good variety which really showcases not only the talent of the musicians and singers, but also the wide range of expression within the world of jazz music.
The vocal soloists are extremely talented, carrying off quite difficult tunes and arrangements with sensational results. The harmonies are beautiful, and the layering of voices brings out the depth and richness of the message they deliver.
There was one element of this album that caused minor irritations for me. I was frustrated by the degree of difficulty involved in singing along with some songs due to syncopation and changed rhythms. I think this would have been less frustrating for me if there had been more of James Morrison ‘doing his thing’ and less of the vocals, as it’s much easier to get into the ‘swing’ of jazz when you’re not getting annoyed that they’ve changed something about the way you’ve always sung your favourite hymn! Certainly, my favourite tracks on this album are the instrumental ones. It is here that James Morrison really showcases both his talent and his fervour for worshipping the Lord in his music.
This is not an album you’d buy for Oma to sing along
with. but I’d recommend this CD for anyone with wide musical interests
who is looking for music that’s great for playing in the background, or
for something inspiring and refreshing to listen to while driving or
relaxing. Naturally, it’s an ‘absolute must’ if jazz is your ‘thing’.
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