THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, May 3, 1995 TAG: 9505030050
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E3 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Music review
SOURCE: BY SUE SMALLWOOD, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 34 lines
ONCE MALIGNED for giving gospel a more accessible sound, the Mighty Clouds of Joy, the reigning kings of the now-burgeoning contemporary Christian music genre, found an enthusiastic audience Saturday evening at the Oceanfront for their R&B-, jazz- and pop-inflected repertoire.
Backed by drums, keyboards and bass, the mighty vocal quartet, together for 35 years, thundered through a rapturous collection of sacred classics and gospel-ized pop favorites, including a gutsy treatment of ``Wind Beneath My Wings'' and a slow, soulful read of the O'Jays' ``Love Train,'' the Clouds' call for world peace.
There were many spectacular moments from the Grammy-winning ensemble, including impressive vamps, improvisations and spontaneous embellishments from all of the vocalists. Most intriguing, though, were the hair-raising contrasts between gravel-throated lead singer/preacher Joe Ligon's soulful wails and moans and the sweet, sliding harmonies of his backing group, particularly on the ferociously expressive ``Nearer My God to Thee.''
Also notable were tenor Michael McCowin's stirring rendition of ``Amazing Grace,'' which turned into a revival-meeting medley of gospel chestnuts that had audience members dancing in their seats, and solos from featured vocalist Michael Jackson, who sings in a stunning, clarion-call falsetto. by CNB