Mighty Wind

Description

Mighty Wind is the ninth solo album by the American contemporary gospel singer and songwriter Andraé Crouch, released on Verity in 2006, distributed by Sony BMG Music Entertainment. The album was produced by Andraé Crouch and Luther “Mano” Hanes. Mighty Wind was released to celebrate Crouch’s 40th year of recording gospel music and features a myriad of guest vocalists. In 2007, the album won a Dove Award for Traditional Gospel Album of the Year at the 38th GMA Dove Awards.

Celebrating 40 years in the business and a complete legend, Andrae Crouch returns with ‘Mighty Wind’ which continues to demonstrate what has always made him a class act. Everything you’ve ever loved about Crouch is here on this album. There are fine vocal performances from an array of vocal talent helping out. There are fine instrumentalists helping create a funky blend of ’70s funk and gospel, there are beautiful slow slinky worshipful ballads and throughout, Crouch’s talents as a gospel writer are firmly illustrated. He invented this style of contemporary gospel and now he shows why he’s the world’s best! Highlights include the opening «I Was Glad» with a fine vocal performance from longtime Crouch collaborator Tata Vega and some fine guitar work from Errol Cooney. Talking of old sidekicks, there are appearances from sidekicks like Abraham Laboriel, Chester Thompson and Greg Phillinganes on three tracks so perhaps it’s not surprising that this sounds like Crouch at his late ’70s peak. Artists who were hugely influenced by Crouch turn up here and there as Marvin Winans pops in for «All Because Of Jesus» and Fred Hammond introduces his unique vocalising for «O Give Thanks». Some of the smooth ballads are a complete delight so you get Crystal Lewis singing the majestic «We Give You Glory» quickly followed by the superb «Come Home» where the mix between lead vocals and backing vocal group is pure classic Crouch. Long time Crouch fans will love this and it’s fresh enough to introduce a whole new generation to a master musician and songwriter. Only one thing grates and that is the fake intro and crowd added into the start of a couple of songs. Not sure what this is meant to achieve since this is clearly a studio effort. Only a minor quibble though since this is such a superb effort. [Mike Rimmer, Cross Rhythms, July 2006]

Mighty Wind marks the 40th anniversary of Andraé Crouch in gospel music, a milestone that bears witness to a trailblazing run that took church-friendly choir music beyond the walls of the church. It’s been more than eight years since Crouch released an album of original material, but Mighty Wind is not just another recorded product from the legendary artist, it’s an event, which explains why he pulled all the stops to make it as grand and memorable as possible. As an architect of early contemporary gospel music, Crouch is a consummate choirmaster, songwriter, and arranger – he leaves no stone unturned in this reverent extravaganza, a gala so elegant and well put together it’s hard to reconcile what was recorded live and what was a studio concoction. In the hands of less skillful practitioners, an album the scope of Mighty Wind would’ve fallen apart under its own weight, but Crouch keep all participants in check – guests Marvin Winans, Fred Hammond, Karen Clark-Sheard, Crystal Lewis, Marcus Cole, and the various backing choirs and singers all stick to the program with finesse and comportment, only getting festive («Thank You for Everything») or dramatic («We Give You Glory») when the songs call for it. Oh, the songs: they’re the main reason for Crouch’s stature in the contemporary gospel pantheon, and here they’re still as classy and delicately constructed as ever – melodic treats with a timelessness and restraint that are trademark Crouch. It’s a graceful, pop-sensitive sound, occasionally anchored in the classic R&B that characterized some of his solo work («Yes Lord», «Come Home»). This stylishness is interrupted ever so slightly by the forced salsa recasting of the Crouch classic «Jesus Is Lord», which didn’t really need the added Latin syncopation – the tune is a classic as is. But that’s a minor qualm: Mighty Wind is mighty fine, a fitting capstone to four decades of some the most enduring repertoire contemporary gospel has seen, as well as a great introduction for those who are yet to hear an album from this founding father of contemporary church music. [Andree Farias, AMG]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/mighty-wind/304824734)

CD tracklist:

01. I Was Glad – 5:12
02. I Was Glad (Reprise) – 1:51
03. All Because Of Jesus – 5:30
04. All Because Of Jesus (Reprise) – 1:28
05. Jesus Is Lord – 6:06
06. Bless The Lord – 5:44
07. Bless The Lord (Chant) – 2:43
08. O Give Thanks – 5:16
09. We Give You Glory – 5:28
10. Come Home – 5:23
11. Holy – 5:13
12. Thank You For Everything – 5:04
13. Yes Lord – 5:02
14. Mighty Wind – 8:33