Reviewed by Paul Poulton

Who better than Michael Tate's sister Lynda to offer a tribute to the best known gospel singer of all time. Lynda's deep contralto voice reaches the parts other singers could never reach. Mahalia's music may be formulaic in this day and age - it's easy to tell where the next chord is going, it even hints at modern country rather than what we think of as gospel music with it's frantic snare hitting every beat. No, this is much more laid back but grooves nonetheless. Mahalia was an important link in the merging of black music into white culture: people who couldn't eat in the same restaurant would go to hear her in the same concert hall. Similarly, Lynda welcomes her vanilla and chocolate coloured friends to this show. The music is executed perfectly by accomplished muzo's, big girl backing singers add width, in more ways than one. Barry "Slow Train Coming" Beckett produced the show - though strangely, doesn't get a mention on the credits - so it has to be a quality performance, which it is. Interesting interviews take place between songs; famous people aplenty appear saying their bit, TobyMac being one of them.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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