| Maybe next time I'll cover some soul gospel by an act
that's not a female soloist; but, this month, LIZ McCOMB's just too good for me not to
hip you to her. |
| |
| McCombs has flitted about the edges of commercial
Afrimerican gospel, but it was probably never the most
comfortable fit. If it's her fault, that's no bad thing. There
may be no more inventive, intuitive, and judicious gospel
singer since Marion Williams and
Mahalia Jackson (some Mavis Staples and Gladys Knight could very well be in
McComb's catalog of influences, also). Tastes wide enough to
embrace traditional Golden Age black church stomping to a
variety of jazz syles, hip-hop, country, neo-soul and chamber
classical, not to mention the occasional secular love ballad,
and recording it all on the same project, may have
hindered her chances among some parishioners,
too. |
| |
| So, like a sanctified and singing Josephine Baker, McCombs is as well off
in France. Or at least on a French label, where
Soul, Peace & Love (Bonsai/EMI France) has been
released. One hopes that her eclectic breadth and artfully
elastic vocal versatility can bring McComb greater
appreciation, despite the current U.S. radio environment for
any of the numerous genres into which she slips in and
out. |
| |
| Meanwhile, you—from fundamentalists to atheists—have my
endorsement that, at first listen, you'll fall in love with
the impressive McComb. (learn more); (learn even
more) | |
