Michael Boykin & the Mighty Voices - Coming Out of the Storm

Michael Boykin & The Mighty Voices

Coming Out of the Storm

Versatile Music Group (2010)

www.myspace.com/mightyvoices

By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog.

After the most destructive weather the U.S. south and southeast have experienced in more than three decades, reviewing a project called Coming Out of the Storm by a quartet from Clinton, North Carolina, a town slammed by a tornado April 16 seems not only eerie, but also potentially insensitive.

But thank goodness, even if Clinton’s Michael Boykin & The Mighty Voices are not necessarily talking about a literal storm, they’re using the image in the album’s opening selection as a lead-in to say “the storm is over.”  The follow-up, “Brighter Day,” promises the rainbow after the rain.

Let's hope so, on both counts.

Boykin is a hard-driving quartet singer who evokes Clarence Fountain and Robert Blair in his emotion-drenched delivery. His finest performances on the album are “Blessing Me” (also known as “The Lord is Blessing Me”) and “Jesus is All I Need.” On the latter, Boykin wrenches every ounce of utility from the song in shouting eternal fealty to his savior.

Coming Out of the Storm works best when it is delivering simple messages plucked from Scripture and mother wit. Most of the songs are about being encouraged, having faith, and trusting in the Lord. On “Got to Live Right,” the quartet offers a testimony designed to turn the hearts of listeners.

The group provides additional testimony on “Keep Me Safe,” which could be subtitled “The Quartet Prayer,” as the singers pray for safety from physical and emotional harm while on the road. They conclude with an intercession on behalf of a litany of fellow quartets traveling the gospel highway, many of whose names they call as the CD concludes.

The album's couple of praise and worship songs are genuine in spirit but lack the emotional intensity of the faith and encouragement selections.

Coming Out of the Storm is about going through and getting through. Following the events of April 16, this message might not be as much of a metaphor after all.

Three of Five Stars

Pick: “Blessing Me,” “Testify.”