The Very Best of Walter Hawkins - Doris Troy The Rainbow Testament

 

Product Description:  https://www.oldies.com/product-view/26256M.html

Twenty-Six gorgeous tracks from Walter Hawkins & the Hawkins Family appear on this wonderful double-disc set, each CD containing 13 songs. As with the work of older brother Edwin Hawkins the family here combines inspiration with soaring pop power that is both relentless and irresistible. "Changed" is swimming in a sea of vocals and rhythm, a mood changing event that starts off this journey through Hawkins extensive catalog of music. Outside of a cover of Jessy Dixon's "God Is Standing By," Edwin Hawkins' "What Is This?" and a co-write between the brothers, "I Love You Lord," the other 23 tracks are composed solely by Walter. There are many standouts and the sounds shift from song to song with a perfect balance of Christianity and pop sensibilities that never get in the way of each other. Just listen to the show-stopping "Goin' Up Yonder" and see if you aren't pulled into another dimension by the performance's depth and majesty. As Doris Troy's Rainbow Testament effectively fused pop and gospel, this best-of collection, neatly compiled by Mick Lloyd, delivers a satisfying overview of Bishop Hawkins' work, praising the higher power while entertaining and motivating. ~ Joe Viglione

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doris_Troy_(album)

 

In his review of Troy's 1972 album The Rainbow Testament, Joe Viglione of AllMusic describes Doris Troy as her "critically acclaimed album on Apple".^[42] Beatles author Bruce Spizer views the singer's Apple output as "first rate" and singles out "Ain't That Cute" as "a great gospel-style R&B rocker".^[12] Reviewing the 1992 CD, Billboard described the album as an "unjustly neglected gem" and "[a] 14-carat soul nugget", while also praising its "smokingest track, the stormy 'Ain't That Cute'".^[36] Record Collector's reviewer wrote that Troy's "self-titled riot of gospel, soul and rock epitomised Apple's fusion of musical cultures".^[40]

Doris Troy (album) - Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Doris_Troy_(album)

 

Rainbow Testament Review

by Joe Viglione

 [-]  https://www.allmusic.com/album/rainbow-testament-mw0000842564

Two years after Doris Troy's critically acclaimed album on Apple, the voice which made records by the Rolling Stones, Sky, Tom Jones, Humble Pie, Carly Simon, and, especially, Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon, among many, many others, so very extra special, is in full command as Doris Troy & the Gospel Truth perform at the Rainbow Theater in London. Gospel originals like Troy's "Morning Train" and "My Father's House" are electrifying, and the singer's friends Claudia Lennear and Rufus Thomas show up, adding to the fun and festive atmosphere. There's an incredible wall of sound with the combination of horn players, percussion, Hammond organ, piano, singers, and master of ceremonies, Doris Troy, inviting notables like the New Seekers up on-stage. The singer told Allmusic, "I love that album. It was live. We had a really great time. The audience was fantastic." You can feel the high-energy vibe on Gene MacLellan's "Put Your Hand in the Hand," as well as all over the tremendous rendition of Joe South's 1969 hit "Games People Play." It's slowed down and soulful with the simply amazing vocal prowess of Troy creating a definitive version of the multi-format songwriter's chestnut. South had Deep Purple putting the hard rock stamp on "Hush," Lynn Anderson taking "Rose Garden" country, and produced slick pop for Billy Joe Royal, but this performance must have given the veteran songwriter chills when he first heard it. Released in 1972 on Polydor Records in Germany, the album design is very classy, a photo of "Mama Troy" on the cover, a positive message throughout the music and the uplifting poem on the back cover with thoughts like "We believe the world's a friendly place/We believe in all our many blessings...We believe we're helped by hidden powers" bringing the message home. A driving Taylor/Clinton title, "(I Wanna) Testify" opens the album contrasted with the Doris Troy original "Steal Away," voices swelling and Jimmy Helms taking a vocal lead along with the star. Troy arranged and produced this highly collectible album, her work sought after on eBay and at record shows, and justifiably so. A classic performance by an important and multi-talented artist, The Rainbow Testament by Doris Troy & the Gospel Truth deserves to be expanded and re-released.

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Rainbow Testament Review