Live by Richard Smallwood Singers

Reviewed by George Luke

Recently, a friend complained to me about the habit some gospel choirs have of adding pre-recorded applause to their studio recordings, to make them sound 'live'. I can see his point; it is misleading, but this album would certainly benefit from being doctored like that. Whether the audience was mixed too low, or were too busy thinking about exams to care (it was recorded at Howard University in April) I don't know, but you simply don't get as much audience participation as is the norm at this type of concert. The album suffers as a result. Musically, it can't be faulted; Richard's piano playing is excellent and the singers are in top form, but you get the impression that both artists and audience were being too polite to each other and not really interacting. During the 23 minute long medley, which takes up a third of the album's playing time, things DO begin to warm up. But then it's back to dull competence.