NuthinButGospel.com 05 – [Hezekiah Walker]

Seems like the word ‘survival’ best sums the legacy of Hezekiah Walker.

He overcame a tough childhood on the mean streets of Brooklyn, New York, endured the death of his father while he was still a young boy, and he rose above an environment where the overwhelming majority of young men were destined for either jail, drug addiction or an early grave. Amazingly, it has been twenty years to be exact since this young man from the streets of Brooklyn, New York expressed courage to create one of the most profound, cutting-edge musical aggregations ever assembled in modern gospel music. And ever since that momentous point in history, Pastor Hez and the Grammy-award winning Love Fellowship Crusade Choir has captured our attention for two strong decades with songs such as “Jesus Is My Help”, “Clean Inside”, “Lord Send Your Spirit Down”, “99 ½" and “Calling My Name”.

Following Hezekiah Walker’s path into gospel fame conjures memories of youthful determination; a boldness for a generation of newcomers that were willing to take the newly reinvented contemporary gospel sound to the masses. The contemporary gospel sound, dominated by choirs and flashy groups, were headlined by artists such as Benny Cummings, the Thomas Whitfield Company, Wilmington-Chester Mass Choir, the Thompson Community Singers, Keith Pringle and New Jersey Mass Choir. The young generation growing up in Rev. James Cleveland’s Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) and National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses, founded by the Father of Gospel Thomas Dorsey, desired to have their talents heard. The silence would be broken when John P. Kee literally invaded GMWA protocol by submitting several songs to the Mass Choir committee. Overwhelmingly, they were so moved by this energetic sound created by Kee that three of his compositions were heard throughout their 1985 session. A new breed of gospel artists would eventually arise to the forefront, yet no one expected Hezekiah Walker to lead the way.

In 1985, the Love Fellowship Crusade Choir, led by Stanley Brown and Hezekiah, made an indelible mark on the local choir circuit in New York and many began their early associations with the popular group. Because New York remained a hot spot for the latest trends and upcoming sounds in popular music, Love Fellowship had its advantages in maintaining an updated image; eventually becoming a choir that would become the torchbearer in contemporary gospel for artists such as O’landa Draper, Kirk Franklin and James Hall. It was in the year of 1989 that Hezekiah & the Love Fellowship Crusade Choir landed their very first recording on Sweet Rain Records, founded by Bishop Andrew Ford (brother of phenomenal producer and organist Steven Ford). The album: “I’ll Make It”. The title track: a song of survival, perseverance and determination. Don’t recall how it goes? Well, pick up Family Affair II: Live At Radio City Music Hall and witness the faith exercised by Walker alongside the one that catapulted contemporary gospel’s popularity in the early 90s, guest artist John P. Kee on this zesty arrangement of the 1989 classic. 1991 brought along “Oh Lord, We Praise You”; the album that is best remembered of Hez’s early days. The album, which featured killer tracks like “The Storm Will Pass”, “You Must Be Born Again” and the title track, was so contagious that Teresa Hairston of Benson Records was elated to sign him and his Love Fellowship crew to an exclusive deal on their Black Gospel imprint.

Over the years, Hezekiah Walker and his Love Fellowship campaign has traveled across the country; recording historic projects in places such as Atlanta, Washington D.C., London and Toronto and of course, New York City. It is impossible to conjure up all of the hits. Recollecting a fan’s favorite in Hezekiah’s extensive discography is purely impossible. Think about the many years singing in youth choirs, community choirs and dozens of Sunday afternoon programs during this time period. You just had to sing a Hezekiah tune. There was no doubt about it. And the jubilant fervor of the choir’s harmonies stuck with the convicting testimonies tucked deep within the lyrics of songs like “I Will Go In Jesus Name”, “I Will Bless The Lord”, “Jesus Is The Light” and “Power Belongs To God”. No wonder hip-hop and R&B superstars like Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, Kelly Price, Faith Evans and Dave Hollister find enjoyment dropping in on Love Fellowship Tabernacle, pastored by Pastor Hez. Not just to hear Hez preaching divine interpretations of the Holy Scriptures, but to hear the angelic jams surrounding a legend that helped revolutionize the face of contemporary gospel music.

It seems like survival has been the appropriate term to identify Hezekiah Walker’s journey. After suffering a bout with Bell’s palsy, family setbacks, stress in the church as a pastor and a gospel artist (read the linear notes in the “Family Affair II: Live at Radio City Music Hall for more) while having the patience to reveal portions of his personal weaknesses and brokenness in a semi-autobiographical book entitled “Destiny”, Walker remains determined to survive and to thrive. A glance at each of his musical offerings display the moving journey from emptiness to victory, from being a troubled teenager to becoming an understanding shepherd to thousands of congregants. This is the journey of Hezekiah Walker.

I’ll Make It - [1989]
This marked the regional debut of Hezekiah Walker and the Love Fellowship Crusade Choir on the Sweet Rain music label (no longer in operation). Hez brings to the table a few tunes co-written by himself including the title track and the infectious rearrangement of Thomas A. Dorsey’s “The Lord Will Make A Way Somehow”. Truly hard to locate, even in vinyl.

Oh Lord, We Praise You - [1990]
Best remembered for the thrilling title track filled with the expected series of Love Fellowship modulations. Other favorites include the Timothy Wright-styled “He’s Sweet I Know” (led by Kervy Brown), “Walk In The Light” and the emotional ballad “The Storm Will Pass”. The album was recorded in Washington, D.C and is very difficult to locate since it has not been re-manufactured since its first printing in 1990. Also add that Sweet Rain was excited to witness this album journey to the #11 position on the Billboard Gospel charts.

Focus On Glory - [1992]
The choir jumps into the studio to record their first project on the Benson Record label produced by Sanchez G. Harley. Things kick off with “Jesus Is The Light” and definitely leaves a mark for years to come with its ambitious R&B flavor handled by Darius Brooks and LFC alumnus Nate McNair. “Let The Redeemed”, “Great Day”, “Lord Send Your Spirit Down” and “Trust Him” are not bad to listen to. Quite enjoyable, but the drum programming and the early 80s synthesizer sounds seem outdated. Regardless of what, this is Hezekiah Walker in early form. Even though studio tracks have never been Heze fans favorites, “Focus On Glory” proves to be unforgettable. Monique Williams (Walker) appears on “Let The Glory”; proving to be a favorite amongst LFC’s lead vocalists.

Live In Toronto - [1992]
Many gospel historians believe this project to be the most essential of Hezekiah Walker’s recording career. It features chunks of progressive contemporary gospel; signaling a movement that would incorporate R&B/urban grooves along with the decade’s popular style of Contemporary R&B. “Lord Send Your Spirit Down” gets a major face lift, while “Clean Inside”, a crowd favorite, emerges to be the album’s most memorable. “Any Way You Bless Me”, led by Kervy Brown, was a radio favorite while “Can’t Live Without You” featured Fred Hammond alongside Walker. Many of LFCC’s alumni remember the bewildering tale attached to this album. A unexpected blizzard settled in and many of the choir members could not make it to the live recording since their bus stopped on them on their way to the recording site. Approximately 45 choir members made it and without heavy overdubs or in-studio assistance, the choir sounds incredible and infectious.

Live In Atlanta at Morehouse College - [1994]
February 5, 1994. All roads run to Atlanta on this particular adventure. The city receives them well with a day of recognition in honor to Hezekiah Walker, a key to the city and a thunderous welcome by 2,500 fans at the Martin Luther King International Chapel. This Grammy-award winning project contained hits including “Love Lifted Me”, “Make It To That City” and the moving ballad “Calling My Name”, led by a youthful Timiney Figueroa. Many wonderful moments captured here and in its rawest form. A swift praise break best known for Hezekiah’s sarcastic sense of humor (“We didn’t come to play no games”), Monique Walker’s breakdown on the vamp of “Let The Glory” and BeBe Winans guest starring on “He’s On Your Side” are by far the greatest “I Will Go In Jesus Name” proved to be one of the album’s strongest tracks in the church and community choir circuit, even though gospel radio failed to invest enough in it. And who can forget the upbeat opener, “Christ Did It All”, penned by Rodney Posey.

Live In New York By Any Means... - [1995]
The announcement album. Hez & LFCC have finally reached their zenith and extends their reaches to accommodate fresher sounds from Melvin Crispell (“I’ll Be Satisfied”), Isaac Carree from John P. Kee’s New Life on “Restore Your Joy In Me” and former Guy member Aaron Hall on the urban-layered “No Greater Love”. But moving ballads such as “Second Chance” and “Come Home” help solidify the project’s form of balance; which makes this album one of the better easy-listening projects from Hezekiah Walker’s arsenal. Other favorites: “How Much We Can Bear”, “I’ll Fly Away” and “99 ½". Believe it, there is barely a dry track presented here.

Live In London at Wembley - [1997]
The choir goes overseas to deliver a nice set of original material infused with trendy contemporary grooves and expedient hooks. Walker tries not to veer away from the formula that defined LFCC’s sound so things open up with Melvin Crispell’s “Jesus Is My Help”, filled with glorious keyboard chords and a series of modulations. “Hold Out”, featuring Ann McCrary, is the second radio pick (of course, Jesus Is My Help was the attention getter) and works well. “It Shall Come To Pass” is a moving ballad that works well for Monique Walker as she displays strong affection and emotion unlike her previous offerings. “To Be Like Jesus” is a slow, jazzy mellow track that escaped the radar of radio, but certainly pleases the ear. “We’ve Got The Victory” is a disappointing nod to Hez’s “Clean Inside”. Overall, this album contains just enough good stuff to satisfy fans until the next round.

Pastor Hezekiah Walker Presents the LFT Church Choir - [1998]
The Verity contract extends for Hez as he brings a surprising recording from his church choir, the Love Fellowship Tabernacle Church Choir, to the masses and what a blessing that was. Incorporated in this gorgeous packaging of graphic art and glossy pictures is enough contemporary spunk to quicken anybody’s church choir. Even though a few disappointing (or incomplete) song selections can be traced here, the LFCC sound is definitely presented here, along with the neat concept to attach all of the better tracks together. Amazingly, they all are found in the very beginning: “I Will Bless The Lord”, “Do You Know Him”, “Glad To Be Alive”, “He’s Holy”.

Family Affair - [1999]
The next level of Hezekiah Walker’s music ministry and career lands a brilliant masterpiece covering an extensive scope of his friendships and industry colleagues. J. Moss and Paul Allen surprisingly crafts several studio tracks; the prominent track being “Let’s Dance”. Donald Lawrence steps in on “Oh I Feel Jesus”. And everybody from the LFT Church Choir to a new ensemble, Love Unlimited, leaves an undeniable mark on the song listing. While there’s more offered on this collection and many fans may grow weary of newer trends overshadowing the classic LFCC sound, Walker remains focused on delivering quality jams on the live segment. Songwriter and outstanding organist Melvin Crispell delivers an infectious jam, “Wonderful Is Your Name”; a radio favorite which featured a crafty Caribbean mid-tempo bounce and a harmonica lead-in similar to the styling of R&B legend Stevie Wonder. Walker doesn’t sing much on this project, which may be disappointing to some, but it is clearly evident that the LFCC energy created by Hez remains transparent. The album opener, “Power Belongs To God”, is fresh and delights Hez fans enormously. Songs like “The Will Of God” (led by Monique), “I’ve Got A Reason (a tribute to the late O’landa Draper) and the groovalistic “Patiently Waiting” cemented this album into being one of Hez’s finer collections.

Love Is Live! - [2001]
The LFT Church Choir uses the foundations of “Family Affair” to bring “Love Is Live” its edge; which renders a strong awareness of how Sunday morning flows from Sunday to Sunday at the Tabernacle. Each aggregation that makes up the Love Fellowship Tabernacle music ministry makes their presence known on this project. A little bit of everything is featured here - from ol’ skool traditional gospel provided by the LFT Rhema Choir (“Lord Lift Me Up”, “Lord Do It”) to the upbeat melodies coming from the P.W’s Kids In Praise on “Let Go, Let God”. One can speculate that these ensembles may never see the light of day in the recording spotlight again, but it’s good to witness other opportunities being presented here. Above all, the LFT Church Choir, of course, dominates this project with their rawer forms of vibrato and “in-your-face” vocals. Catch tracks like “I’m A Newborn Soul”, “The Battle” and “Thank You, You Died For Me” and you are certain to agree. Over the course of time, the popularity of “Praise Break (The Ma-shon-da)” continues to take flight and baffle ears of charismatic musicians. Kudos to Joeworn Martin, minister of music at Love Fellowship for a job well done.

Family Affair II: Live At Radio City Music Hall- [2002]
In the wake of 9/11, Hezekiah assembles the LFCC crew (now just called Love Fellowship Choir) at the historic Radio City Music Hall for the next live recording. The album is pretty much a healthy retrospective to the memories passed by as they go down memory-lane on tracks like “The Lord Will Make A Way Somehow”, “He’s On Your Side”, “Calling My Name”, “When We Get Over There”, I’ll Make It”, “Never Gonna Let You Go”, “Any Way You Bless Me” (actually this is the remake of Melvin Crispell’s “I’ll Be Satisfied”, not McNair’s version). There’s not much new here except for new vocal twists and musical arrangements, but the new tunes including “I Need You To Survive”, the ten-minute “What A Mighty God We Serve” and “We Made It” became excellent songs of triumph and encouragement for the victims of 9/11.Ted & Sheri, Lucinda Simmons-Moore, Kim Burrell and John P. Kee jumps in to add their touches to the Love Fellowship tradition.

With 20/85 The Experience heading our way, the golden anniversary album commemorating twenty years of music ministry from Walker, we can only wait to hear what lies ahead for Pastor Walker and the Love Fellowship crew. Twenty years have slipped passed our lives, yet we reflect with pride over the bountiful memories and reflections provided by Pastor Hez. It has been a journey but we are excited to know that there are a few more chapters, a few more books to write. With all of the wonderful experiences of hearing our very own church choirs rocking to the latest Hez tune, we can recite the words of the David Frazier composition: “You are important to me, we need you to survive”.