Mia Paylor weighs in on whether you should Purchase or Pass on the new album from Wess Morgan…
Armed with a powerful testimony (he’s a former addict), the gift to preach, an awesome backing choir (The Celebration of Life Choir), fresh material, and a soulful (cough…black…cough) delivery…even a penchant for bow ties, Wess Morgan is ready to usher you out of your flesh and into the spirit realm!
Released on October 19th, Wess Morgan’s Under an Open Heaven is a must-have for Praise & Worship music lovers who enjoy singing songs full of soul and substance.
“Oh, Great One” opens the project. The music has a big, full sound fitting for an opening number. You hear horns, strings, hits…all of that. The joyful lyrics make it very clear who the “Great One” is (Oh, Great One/Messiah/We bless You). Wess leads the song with skill and vigor, switching seamlessly from singing to speaking. And, the drive at the end makes you want to leap!
“I Will Sing of Your Great Love” is another big song that could’ve also served as the CD opener. The song includes surprising twists with the melody that I really love. I was a little disappointed in the ending. The words, “I don’t know what you’ve come to do/But I’ve come to praise the Lord”, detracted from the songs originality. In fact, let’s all agree to retire that statement right now!
“I Choose to Worship” is the worship ballad posted here at GospelPundit.com. Many agreed that this song was full of power and passion. It’s a testimony, a declaration, and a directive all in one moving song. The build of the song evokes emotion. This is definitely one of my favorites from this collection.
Wess teaches folks how to shine up an old standard with the inclusion of “Welcome Into This Place.” This is my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE VERSION OF THIS SONG! Who knew this song had verses?! It’s so perfect that I don’t know how to describe it other than to say…it’s perfect!
Simple and elegant, “More of You”, with its pleading string arrangement, effectively brings the lyrics, “Lord, I want more/More of You/Less of me/Increase”, to life. Wess leads this song with an artist who sounds like Lakewood’s Cindy Cruse-Ratcliff. Both provide all the adlibs and exhortations one can stand. I do wish the song didn’t end so rapidly.
The title track, “Under an Open Heaven”, is a fresh spin on self-encouraging songs. It explains that we have to do a bit more than believe in order to receive. “The favor of God is reigning on me” after “I’ve prayed” and “I’ve fasted.” Now, “I’m in my season of blessing!” Hallelujah! Somebody gets it! Thanks, Wess, lol.
Wess also includes a few surprising styles on this release: Latin Jazz (“Sing Unto the Lord”), Jazz (“I Cannot Fail the Lord”), and R&B (“You Gave Me Hope”). And, if anyone questions whether or not Wess can really squall, take one listen to the “Something About that Name Medley” or the “Praise Medley (We Enter In)” to get your answer. *snickering*
Woo… I love this project! Purchase!
Thanks for this great review Mia... will definitely be purchasing.....
Mia I love your reviews. I'll give Wess a try too. I trust your judgement.
You're gonna make me actually go pick this one up....great review.
Sincere, general question: do any gospel music websites write critical reviews of gospel CDs to the point where the recommendation would be to PASS on buying the CD? No personal attacks or innuendo to Gospelpundit.com or any other similar website, just a general question. Is there some unspoken agreement to report non-negative reviews to maintain the peace and access to artists? I ask this because I had HIGH expectations for this CD, but after "I Choose to Worship", this CD begins to sound like all the other similarly delivered "soulful (cough…black…cough)" CDs with the condescending style of exhortation, signaled by the repeated phrase "I need some worshippers in here!" or "I need you to worship!" or "Get yo' hands up! (sounding like a stick-up)". This "style" of exhortation is becoming INTOLERABLE to me. Also, I began to wonder about the delivery of some of the latter songs... it sounded THEATRICAL, as if he was trying so hard to capture the soulful. I believe he's sincere. And yes, he's been around some Black folk and he doesn't have to be ashamed or apologetic about that. If it's in you, it's in you, period, and that's how it's going to come out. But I did wonder if he was overselling the "squall" a bit. (Wink!) Mia's first paragraph of this review articulates Wess Morgan very, very well (Kudos!) I also concur with the descriptions of the songs, except the "fresh" part. I'll give the rest of the CD a few more listens.... Good review, Mia!
This project was purchased pre-Mia review. Some highlights are of course the lead single, I Choose Worship, Enter In and Praise Medley. The last song was actually a bonus, You Gave Me Hope, as the production sounds like DLawrence recorded this with his family of BGVs. This song will be featured by Tyler Perry in his next dvd Laughing To Keep From Crying. Mia, great review. I was confused by one of the songs that sounds very similar to Great Is Thy Faithfulness from Bible Central's project. Besides the lowest point of the album the jazzy, mono-level of I Cannot Fail The Lord, it's a decent national release. Congratulations to Wess Morgan on the reverse crossover, not many people can obtain that status and us not be annoyed by their music.
What the "reverse crossover"?
HEY Tam! Now, I know the old reviews aren't on here, but I'm VERY HONEST about what I'm not feeling...or what I consider to be a flaw on a project. I do it with tact & a dash of sugar (something I learned from my Momma), lol. I will NEVER tell anyone not to purchase a CD...not flat out. But my opinion will be very clear...and from there, readers can determine whether or not they'll purchase a project or pass on it. I can think of two projects off the top of my head that I did NOT give glowing reviews to. Maybe I'm too busy worshiping while listening to hear the condescending style of exhortation. I didn't find anything to be condescending at all. Or, maybe I don't buy enough "blue-eyed soul" gospel CDs to draw a comparison, lol. But those phrases weren't present after most of the songs. And, if you can't tell from my review (I actually discussed the songs in the order on the CD), I liked the first portion of the CD more than the latter portion as well. Read beyond the words, Tam. Read beyond the words, lol. But I'm filled with the joy of the Lord with every listen. I'm singing, waving my hands, and playing this CD for all of my friends (who canNOT believe he's not a thick black guy, LOL). I'm no one's amen corner. If I say I love it, it's cause I love it...and those who don't love it are more than welcome to disagree. Sorry you missed my "less than glowing" reviews...
I think if you see the live DVD of the live concert and see the full presentation of "I Cannot Fail The Lord, you might have a different view of the song. The DVD is really nice!
Novella, you may be on to something there. As I listened to the CD, I did wonder about the visuals.... I'm not throwing out the CD, y'all! :-)
"Reverse crossover" is in reference to crossing from CCM to gospel.
"Read beyond the words, Tam. Read beyond the words, lol." LOL! (Smile!) Ok... I see what you're saying.... I do not question your content in terms of being able to describe the content and present a perspective and context in which to consider the content. You gave a reasonable assessment. However, a question: Why would you never tell anyone not to purchase a CD but are willing to tell when one should buy a CD? Where's the balance? Why the imbalance? Maybe it's semantics: purchase or pass versus recommendations or a rating system. Maybe the rating system is a kinder, gentler way to mark those "less than glowing" reviews?
"However, a question: Why would you never tell anyone not to purchase a CD but are willing to tell when one should buy a CD? Where's the balance? Why the imbalance?" LOL! You want me to say stuff all mean like you, Tam?! Huh?! LOL. I seriously believe that my not telling people to purchase/support is the equivalent...without sounding all grinch-like, lol...like I'm trying to rob people of sales, lol. I have my integrity but I have a heart too...and I treat others the way I'd like to be treated in return. I don't want anyone walking around with a picket sign telling folks not to support me, lol. Instead of a technical rating, I prefer to just say what I think about it and let people choose for themselves. For my reviews, you'll have to judge the tone to see whether or not I'd give it 5 stars versus 3 stars, etc. Did I love it? Did I enjoy it? Did I have a lot of questions as a result of listening to it? How many disappointments/wishes did I list? How many descriptions did I rush through? Did I pass the job of reviewer off to my 6 yr old? LOL! Feel me?
So... what was mean about my question? Either a music reviewer can conclude that a CD is recommendable or it isn't, and the recommendation is based on such observations as outlined by the music reviewer. The crux of my inquiry was to see how you rationalized your process to recommend a "purchase" but avoid the recommendation of a "pass". You say you have a heart. I believe you. And you obviously think a great deal of yourself and your musical opinion to conclude that a "pass" review from you would "rob people of sales".... And as you say that you prefer to just say what you think about it and let the people choose for themselves, then why the need to say "purchase"? Sigh.... I get that this one-dimensional form of communication here (posting to a website which means there's no opportunity to see/hear gestures, tone of voice, etc.) but um, wow, just wow at the leap/suggestion that I'm mean based on my question... well, I just expected more from you, Mia. My question was sincere and not in any way manipulative or vindictive.
I'll check it out. It seems like an interesting song, however, it's somber.
LMBO! THE L.O.L's, Tam...it was a joke! You thought I seriously bucked at you with the "huh?!"...oh my! LOL. My bad. I shouldn't have assumed that you'd know I was picking with you. Well, if I think they should purchase it, I say it...cause that's what I think and cause the word "purchase" hurts no one. "Pass" hurts. So, even if I wish I would've passed on it, I try to consider how those words could hurt someone when I write my reviews. I find ways to be honest without being destructive, insensitive, or a hinderance to those the CD may bless. Aside from being confident in who God created me to be, I understand the privilege it is to be in a position to influence peoples decisions. So, I treat it delicately...with humility and care. I hope that made sense...
where can u find the dvd? ive looked it up on Amazon and can't find it...
YOU HAVE TO GO TO WESS MORGAN'S WEBSITE THE CD AND DVD ARE ONE PACKAGE AND PURCHASE IT THERE. IT HAS BEEN AVAILABLE FOR SOME TIME ON HIS WEB SITE I PURCHASED IT SOME MONTHS AGO.
pass! we've been waiting for a call back from wes people 4 hime 2 come preach and still haven't heard anything yet.
I'll say this in response to Mia and Tam. Both of you have offered food for thought. Because I agree with both of your points, I will add that there are a few songs I enjoy and some that OTHERS may enjoy! ;-) But hit or miss, with intent or not, aren't many CD's structured that way? You can't please everyone all the time. Shoot! When I release my CD I hope ALL of you will download at least a COUPLE of my songs! LOL! I'm sure that many of the gospel artists that both of you have listened to would feel the same way! If it blesses you, (anyone) the mission is accomplished! To God Be The Glory!