Bobby Jones - The Ambassador

Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

For years Bobby Jones' TV show has been a showcase for America's gospel artists and there are quite a few people who owe him their career for his support. But somehow us Brits have never got quite so excited about his music. Recent internet controversy and suggestions that he supports homosexuality as a lifestyle probably haven't helped. As for this album, it's rare that Jones releases his own albums and in this case, even when he has it's the huge talent of the supporting cast that stands out rather than Jones himself. With contributions from Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Karen Clark Sheard, J Moss, Shirley Murdock, Darwin Hobbs, even I would sound cool in such company. This album gets off to a terrible start with Jones doing a horrible sickly voice over thanking God for his career and even songs like "Can't Nobody" and "Thank You Lord" which both hit an effective groove and contain fab vocal performances fail to redeem the opening. If you enjoy your gospel predictable, well performed but nothing special, you'll find something here to enjoy but too often to these ears it sounds dated and ordinary.