Noting that, in Carnegie Hall it's said that you don't need a microphone, McClurkin abandoned the one he was holding and sang Amazing Grace with no amplification except what God gave him, and the moment was memorable, indeed. Turning to the choir, McClurkin broke down the Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and bass parts as the audience seemed to understand that this concert had just become church. The tall, ever-cool looking McClurkin (who acknowledged the compliment to his wardrobe that was called out from an enthusiastic audience member) launched into “Faithful is Our God,” the first taste of truly contemporary 'church gospel' of the night. Kim Burrell amazed us with her vocal prowess, but Donnie McClurkin seemed to electrify the audience simply by walking out onto the stage. “What The World Needs Now Is Love” followed, with the singer adding a dose of soul not normally heard in the Bacharach / David standard. Burrell, a powerhouse singer with not only great gospel chops but some jazzy Ella Fitzgerald-like tones, went right into a solid version of “Walking Up The King’s Highway,” an up-tempo gospel standard. The musical director of the night couldn’t resist taking the lead vocal on “Ride The Mighty High,” a song made most famous by The Mighty Clouds of Joy, but it was Chew’s introduction of Kim Burrell that really sent the shows momentum into high gear. The cavernous stage of the hall isn’t friendly to drums and electric amps, so subtleties might have slipped into the atmosphere - but the raw power of the gospel is less about nuance and more about power, emotion, and spirit, and all three were well in attendance. The weather was unusually mild for a December night in New York City but the prospects for what would be taking place in the hallowed halls of fabled Carnegie Hall were nothing less than red hot! Backed by a 140 voice mass choir and underpinned by a tight let’s-have-church ensemble led by musical director Ray Chew and augmented by New York’s legendary Chops Horns, two giants of contemporary Gospel music – Donnie McClurkin and Kim Burrell – brought some spiritual fire to the venerable stage.Ĭhew’s core band consisted of familiar church instruments – a piano, Hammond organ, guitar, bass and drums – augmented by a synthesizer and the aforementioned horn section. A New York City landmark becomes church when Donnie McClurkin and Kim Burrell hit the stage.Ĭarnegie Hall Presents: Gospel Sing Along with Donnie MuClurkin and Kim Burrell