Tri-City Singers - Donald Lawrence Presents The Tri-City Singers Finale Act I

Reviewed by Peter Dilley

Finding two double-disc sets from this farewell performance, I thought I was in for a concert of truly epic proportions, bringing down the curtain on the 15-year partnership between Donald Lawrence and the Tri-City Singers. I was wrong on two counts: firstly, each "Act" is packaged on both CD and DVD, offering identical content in the two formats; secondly, the choir have been touring earlier in 2006, and again in October and November, 12 months after they first said their 'goodbyes'. "The Blessing of Abraham" is used as the opener on both CDs/DVDs, after becoming a huge hit when released as a single in January, and it's probably also the key to why their departure has been anything but abrupt. Next up is the mellower "You Are An Heir" - it's new too and so are the three songs that follow. I start to wonder why they decided to call it a day in the first place. But appropriately for a set of this kind, there's also a run through their back catalogue - an eight-song medley concludes 'Act One' with "When Sunday Comes", a track that features a guest appearance by Daryl Coley. To describe the performance as 'impressive' or 'polished' would be an understatement - they seem to be quitting when they're at the very peak of their ability.