Lizz Wright – Fellowship

October 22, 2010 / No Comments / Tags: angelique kidjo, fellowship, lizz wright, me'shell ndegeocello

(Verve Records)


Vocalist Lizz Wright deserves her own category in the record stores. The category name? Lizz Wright. The 30-year old Georgia-born, preacher’s daughter so wonderfully interprets any lyric she takes on that they become new songs. This is no exception to this idea with her latest release Fellowship, which is less a gospel album than a Lizz Wright record with songs that have a spiritual bent. While there are certainly gospel standards here, such as “God Specializes” and “Hold On”, there are also versions of songs made famous by Eric Clapton, Gladys Knight and Jimi Hendrix.Wright is joined here by guests vocalists Angelique Kidjo, Joan as Policewoman, and Dr. Berniece Johnson Reagon, who wrote one of the projects. Her daughter, Toshi Reagon, who has collaborated with Wright since 2005’s Dreaming Wide Awake, produced half the tracks on this effort.  Me’Shell Ndegéocello wrote the very evocative and thought-provoking title track, which quotes Bob Marley’s anthem “Stand Up”. If there’s any message that runs through the music it is that great lyrics from the mouth of an artist of Wright’s calibur can be incredibly spiritually uplifting no matter their original source.

Click here to listen to a clip of “Fellowship”.

Tracks: Fellowship, (I’ve Got To Use My) Imagination, I Remember, I Believe, God Specializes, Gospel Medley (various selections), Sweeping Through The City, All The Seeds, Presence of The Lord, In From The Storm, Feed The Light, Oya, Amazing Grace .

Website: http://www.lizzwright.net