by The Churchlady
It appears that the McDonald’s Gospelfest was another hit. Please find the NJ.com recap below:
By Tris McCall/The Star-Ledger
Host and director A. Curtis Farrow wouldn’t ask for a moment of silence.
“I’m a church boy,” said Farrow, “and we believe in making noise.”
As images of the Whitney Houston appeared on the Prudential Center video screens tonight, the capacity crowd at the McDonald’s Gospelfest did just that.
It was an opportunity to say another loud, long goodbye to Houston, who always considered gospel the bedrock of her sound. Nobody at McDonald’s Gospelfest, the annual celebration of devotional music that has become a spring tradition in Newark, needed to be reminded of Houston’s deep gospel roots or her local ties. But it was still gratifying to hear her sing “This Day,” one of her most powerful spiritual recordings.
Then, in tribute, Gary Houston, Whitney’s brother and a singer in his own right, led the New Hope Mass Choir in a rendition of “Let The Church Say Amen.”
A poised but plainly emotional Cissy Houston — Whitney’s mother, and a legendary church singer — had already moved the crowd with an aching rendition of the gospel standard “Deep River.” Accompanied by a small choir, Houston floated from high note to high note as if lost in a reverie. Like so many of the songs aired at Gospelfest, hers was one of perseverance through an ordeal, and a prayer for deliverance from strife. Afterward, she thanked her listeners for their cards and well-wishes. She did not mention her daughter by name, and she did not participate in the tribute.
The devout Donnie McClurkin, spunky Mary Mary, joyful Fred Hammond, wisecracking Vickie Winans, and First Lady of Gospel Shirley Caesar all raised their voices to the rafters at this year’s Gospelfest. Comedian Steve Harvey, riding high on the success of his latest movie, spent his set poking fun at Christian piety.
But it was that celebration of the life of the late Whitney Houston, who died this February, that drew the most national attention to the Newark event. For a brief, flickering moment, the spirit of New Hope Baptist Church descended on the Prudential Center. It was at New Hope — the storied church on Sussex Avenue in Central Newark — where Whitney Houston first sang in public, and it was at New Hope where Cissy Houston became the minister of music. The world visited New Hope for Whitney Houston’s funeral, catching a glimpse of the sort of righteous fire so characteristic of the church’s services.
The Houston tribute followed the three-hour afternoon talent show and competition that is, for many attendees, the heart and soul of Gospelfest. Thousands of singers and rappers from all over the nation (but mostly from New Jersey and New York) had auditioned for a chance to offer praise on the Prudential Center stage. So many applied for a slot in the talent competition this year that categories had to be reinstated. Those few who were chosen shot the works, proving again how much vocal talent is tucked away in neighborhood congregations and regional choirs.
The competitors aired plenty of traditional church music — a fiery, uptempo version of “Amazing Grace” brought down the house — but also sang gospel-influenced pop songs by artists like Sam Cooke and Adele. The more emotionally effulgent and animated the performer, the more the crowd roared; Gospelfest is no place for artistic understatement. The teen solo competitors, carried away by their passion for the spirit, broke into a frantic impromptu dance. The members of the Joy Unlimited Youth Choir from Philadelphia literally ended up on the floor of the stage during their performance.
This was the 29th annual Gospelfest and the fifth in a row to be held at the Prudential Center. Prior versions of the festival featured appearances by Dionne Warwick, Hezekiah Walker, Kirk Franklin and other gospel stars. Mayor Cory Booker, who made a brief appearance before the main sets, delivered a prayer of his own, calling Gospelfest a signature event in Newark.
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