4 years ago
I am a music journalist, coming all the way from I...
I am a music journalist, coming all the way from Italy, and I desperately wanted to attend the Gospel Brunch at the famous House of Blues!
The location itself seemed to me like a guarantee of professionalism and respect for (holy) music and its heritage.
I found myself sitting at a table (with such narrow seats you can hardly cut your meat), with a plate full of OK food (the buffet is actually varied enough), watching a guy making loads of jokes, throwing a funny contest (people from the audience moving clumsily to the rhythm of music) and singing or letting the choir sing probably less than 50% of the time available for the show (1 hour).
Many of the songs performed, instead of traditional, were off of the CD of the choir, with the guy inviting you to buy it....not once but one too many times!
This is NOT gospel to me. This isn't anything remotely similar to a church experience. This is a LAS VEGAS SHOW for tourists.
Those who don't know about Music, may enjoy it, but if you are serious and respectful of gospel or any music genre...DON'T GO!
It's not only disappointing, it's even irritating!
I suggest: find a Church where you can breathe the magic of true gospel for no MONEY at all (just make your own donation, according to your good heart).
Go to the Apostolic Church of God, to the Rock of Ages, to the Trinity United Church of Christ...go wherever you can find a black choir showing how inspiring and uplifting their ART can be.