“Grace-Live in Kenya” was recorded live in Kenya, before an outdoor audience one million strong, although that energy didn’t make it to the disc, unfortunately. Most of the thirteen tracks, while moving and worshipful, are heavily orchestrated and lack the immediacy you might expect from such a setting. But TD Jakes’ many followers will not be disappointed; “Grace-Live in Kenya” can stand on its own as a solid gospel offering.
The album starts promisingly, with up-tempo“Celebrate” amping up the energy from the get-go. The piano-driven “There Is a Sound” drips with gentle adoration, under the direction of keyboardist Marcus Dawson; the track is beautifully arranged, but the live energy is gone, a big loss, to my mind. Things pick up again with “Grace,” a moving choir intro grooving into bouncy rhythms under TD’s impassioned teaching/singing. Standout track, “He Does All Things Well,” lays out God’s blessings upon His people, along with some sweet funk guitar, warm horns, and great un-credited female vocals. I enjoyed “Bishop Sermonette” on our global responsibilities, telling the Kenyans that he wasn’t there “to bring a sermon, but the reality of the sermon.” Indeed, “Grace-Live in Kenya” will benefit the S.O.W. (Save Our World) Campaign.
The second half of the album, while still not carrying the live energy you’d expect from the setting, still serves up several great tracks, including “You Alone,” the choir full and melodic, and a stirring electric guitar solo. The party continues with “You Are,” finally serving up a bit of African rhythms, as well as fat horns, sizzling vocals, and strongly vertical lyrics.
“Grace-Live in Kenya” closes beautifully, with a moving mix of English and Kenyan-singing choirs saying “Yes” to the will of the Lord. My understanding is that the project was recorded live, and tweaked later in the studio. My own preference would have been to skip the studio work. But still, many will enjoy “Grace-Live in Kenya,” dropping on March 20th, for its sincere worship and ministry.
