David Frazier: Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs, Vol. III
Gospel songwriter and occasional pitcher for Hezekiah Walker reveals decent hymnbook of worship offerings and some contemporary choir spice
Gospel songwriter David Frazier has enjoyed much success pumping out the choir magic for artists like Hezekiah Walker and T.D. Jakes, but he’s growing impatient of being a background guy. While his songs are consistently gaining radio play like “I Need You to Survive” and “Power Belongs to God,” he’s been putting out independent projects exposing even more of his behind-the-scene developments. Already three albums in, the former New York inhabitant uncovers his latest Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs Volume III (not to be confused with Donnie McClurkin’s album).
One would expect Frazier to focus heavy on his recurring role of gospel choir psalmist, but he stretches beyond those limitations to cover congregation-suited worship hymns (“Lord We Need Your Spirit Now,” “Be a Worship”) and pop-tinged soul (“God Has a Plan”).“This Joy” and the funky East Coast thumps of “Beauty of Holiness” gives appreciative fans of the Hezekiah Walker catalog something to nibble on. Even better, “Favor” unravels like a glorious Jonathan Nelson track, even all the way down to its zesty horn arrangement. Frazier jumps out to add his vocal two cents to some of the offerings, but much of the attention surrounds the hearty musician legwork and background harmonies. He’s definitely in good company: Jonathan Dubose, Jr., Candy West, Robert Searight and guitarist/vocalist John Murray are all a part of the festivities. The piano solo “Holy Thou Art Holy” allows Jamar Jones to revisit Frazier’s beloved Karen Clark-Sheard composition in what stands out as the album’s most important benchmark. From beginning to end, the songs go in and out of standard worship offerings and contemporary gospel selections. The presentation is nicely assembled, even if the studio affair chisels away any recurring thoughts of a treading Hezekiah Walker session.
It’s a bit of a scuffle in trying to find his previous projects, even though I can recall they walked heavily on praise and worship gems and one in particular also included a remake of T.D. Jakes’s “His Presence Is Here to Heal.” So comparing previous works are pretty much out of the question, but Frazier does a decent job in assembling an album’s worth of diverse tunes. Nothing present here really matches the glory and performance of songs like “He’s On Your Side”or “Second Chance,” but he’s probably saving his best leftovers for the next superstar. Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs is just an introductory songbook of Frazier’s capabilities and proved artistry.
J MATTHEW COBB
HIFI DETAILS
- Release Date: 15 Dec 2009
- Label: God’s Music/Li’l Dave;s Music
- Producers: David Frazier, Robert “Sput” Searight
- Track Favs: Beauty of Holiness, Totally, Favor, Holy Thou Art Holy
