At the end of 2011 in New York, a gospel concert called End of Year Celebration takes place.
The production is highly anticipated, but this year, their was a twist which turned the show on its head.
Radio host Brother Gary and his team of promoters could not have expected secular artistes to have the impact they did but they were pleasantly surprised.
Sporting the look and feel of a major calendar event, organisers promised much and delivered even more as thousands descended on the venue on Utica Avenue on a warm, snowless December night.
Richie Stephens and Gramps Morgan – commanded those thousands in a fashion that befitted the professionals they are.
Stephens, who was stylishly attired, was warmly greeted by the packed pews. The veteran crooner went to work quickly, delivering a medley of gospel favourites that brought a spiritual vibe to the presentation. For his long-time fans, Stephens crooned Fight Back – a timely classic that was recorded years ago with his friend Garnet Silk, who died tragically in a fire at his home in 1993.
He earned a standing ovation for his heartfelt rendition of A Change Is Gonna Come and then poured his heart out on Live Your Life, his current number-one hit song, which was penned after the untimely death of his son, Copper Cat. After a work horse set, which included favourites like The Lord’s Prayer, Yammo be There and Father, I Love You, Stephens returned for an encore and was joined by singer Gramps Morgan.
“Wow! The gospel concert in NYC was a wonderful blessing. I could feel every note coming from deep within me and the people just could not get enough. Glory be to God,” Stephens said on his Facebook page soon after exiting the stage.
Gramps was also in fine nick and had the entire congregation waving Bibles, hands, flags – whatever they could find -as he took them down memory lane with the Morgan Heritage classic Down By The River. The song struck a responsive chord with Christians in the house who sang along word for word. Down By The River made way for a heartfelt rendition of Psalm 23 that was ‘livicated’ (dedicated) to incarcerated reggae superstar Buju Banton.
Wash the Tears from his debut album, Two Sides of My Heart, hit the sweet spot and was delivered with a sort of reverence rarely seen at reggae events.
The dancehall-tinged The Almighty brought the curtain down on an enthralling set that had the massive dancing and skanking in their seats.
