It’s no secret that Ricky Dillard, along with the late O’landa Draper, practically wrote the book on how to be choral frontmen with dynamic expression, over-the-top energy and catchy choreography.
With his 8th project, Keep Living, Ricky Dillard again demonstrates that he is THE choir director of today’s gospel industry.
After opening with the project’s banging lead single, “God Is Great,” Chrystal Rucker lends her guest vocals to the title track, “Keep Living.” This track is a choir tune at its best– it’s the type of tune that “midnight musicals” and “special programs” are made of– and Rucker’s soprano vocal soars to unparalleled heights.
The album moves seamlessly to “Destined for Greatness,” a mellow choir groove with a driving vamp, then to “Speak A Word,” before launching into the progressive, rock-laden “He Turned It.”
Without looking at liner notes, I skipped through tracks to figure out which would feature Lillian Lloyd. Within seconds of hearing the Hammond B3 swell on “My Soul Says Yes,” I knew I had found it. And Lloyd delivers exactly what her supporters wait for– a dynamic punctuated lead and inimitable ad libs that force you to pay close attention.
There are other standout moments on the project as well, like the killer lead vocal from acclaimed vocalist Nikki Ross on “He’s Been Just That Good”, and Karen Clark Sheard’s guest appearance on the vamp of ”The Sweetest Name.” Perhaps one of my favorite cuts on the album is the well-executed cover of the classic Hawkins tune “Strange” (featuring jazzy scats and riffs from Nikki Ross). The big-band vibe of this tune made it a perfect candidate for New G to remake it, and the newly-added shouting vamp seals the deal.
Throughout Keep Living, the now-famous wobble vibrato that New G brings to the table is consistent and well-placed, but songs like “Speak A Word” demonstrate a welcomed vocal maturity akin to Donald Lawrence’s Tri-City Singers.
Ricky Dillard & New G’s Keep Living is full of singable songs for any Sunday morning, expressed by an untouchable choir with polished lead vocals, and led by gospel music’s master of the choir.
The album drops tomorrow (April 26), but you can listen to snippets and pre-order right here, right now!
Yes yes YES! Get this cd...I LOVE IT!
I'm def a Ricky and New G supporter! I taught "God is Great" right after I heard it. I'll be picking this up soon. Thanks for the review!
Um.....I'm so vexed right now! I live in Atlanta and I just came from Wal-Mart and they did NOT have Ricky's project! Where they do that at? I was soooooooooooo looking forward to bumping that cd in my car today. :( I believe it's a conspiracy!!! Someone help ease my mind! I'm not a happy camper over here!!!
@Jason I'm in Atlanta also and indeed Walmart does not have it yet. I called a few of them. Target and Best Buy has it though. Ricky Dillard & New G is AT THEIR BEST!!!
Thanks Renee' I'll hit target tomorrow. I was really having a fit today!!! HA! Thanks again for the heads up...
I got the Ricy D and New G cd today and I'm blown away!!! The production, the vocal quality, the songs, the leads, the quality.... This is his best work since "Worked It Out" and "The Holy Place" respectively! (IMO) Yall, PLEASE bless your life and go buy this project! Great gospel music. And for those of us who appreciate good choir music, this is a MUST HAVE!
It's @ WalMart for 10$ and you pre-order the DVD for the same amount!
"He's Been Just That Good" just messed me up! this cd shows that gospel is not dead. From start to finish this cd is annointed just like my personal favorite 7th episode. Nobody can remake a song like Ricky, from Tunesha Crispell's Saved to Kevin Lemon's Destined for Greatness, he definitely knows how to make a song his own. And Chrystal, Nikki, and Lillian all need shoes thrown at them for the SANGIN they do on this album, even Auntie Karen kills a song in under 2 minutes. My most anticipated choir cd of the year, now waiting for mama Kim, Leandria, and Jessica Reedy's projects
I hope they are not going to sell a cd/dvd combo after everybody buys the cd (that happened on his last project).
KAREN KAREN KAREN!, I need to get this cd!
"Keep Living" debuted at #3 on billboard gospel charts this past week!
Ricky, you did your thing at Wingate Park on July 18th 2011. Great performance! "
I know this cd is annointed and after I heard it once Wow! I just can't stop listening to it. I love every song and you're right God is Great!!!. Keep this gospel coming... I hope our choir will do one of these songs. My Favorite is "He's Been Just That Good. I can't stop listening. God Bless You.