Search - Bishop Solomon Burke :: Not By Water But Fire This Time

Solomon's back in church

Ernest Batiste | Bellevue | 06/20/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Solomon Burke now known as Bishop Solomon Burke was always known as a singers' singer and a man who could sing with any group, any band, and any singer and Solomon would make the group, band or singer sound better. Well, Solomon is back in church and when you hear his tones, inflections, moans, yips, and wonderful voice we realize he was never far away. This is a marvelous album and should walk away with the Grammy and Dove award.This album has depth, texture, and the emotions of a soul singer, forget your Otis, Wilson, and Isaac; Solomon is and Solomon rules and Solomon reigns. He's back to his roots and no one has roots any deeper than Solomon. I don't believe he's met a song he can't sing, or a note he can't hit, or music he can't interpret - Bishop Burke is a national unrecognized treasure.The notes and producers and backups and probably cleanups are Burkes (he must have a large family)- I don't know all the relationships but it's the man, the man known as Solomon who takes us back and shows us his depth of faith. In the first cuts we know that Solomon is back. If a person can only own 2 gospel albums include this with either Marion Williams or a James Cleveland and your collection will be worthy and strong.A strong album showing Solomon in his essence doing what he does as only he can. If you like and know gospel music many of the songs are familiar, and maybe that increases the enjoyment."