Dorinda Clark Cole is no stranger to the
Gospel music arena. Her mother was an internationally renowned Gospel
music composer / director, Dr. Mattie Moss-Clark, who composed her
own songs, and her father was a Pastor. Dorinda began singing at
an early age with her 3 other sisters, forming the Gospel group,
The Clark Sisters, often performing in their parents' church, often
singing their Mom's songs. Dorinda was known as the "jazzy sister,"
with a terrific gift of being able to improvise. The Clark Sisters
are internationally known, and have toured around the world.
Besides singing, Dorinda also has discovered
that God has blessed her with the gift of being able to evangelize
to "the lost," and motivate / encourage people to hang
onto their faith, believe God's promises, and walk closer with Jesus.
In this CD, Dorinda combines both these talents. She has written
or co-written 5 of the recorded songs, putting her best efforts
into reaching out to her audience, sharing the good news of Jesus
Christ.
What impresses me about Dorinda, is that
she truly sings from her heart and soul her personal Christian witness
and testimony, expressing her faith in, her dependence on Jesus
Christ our Lord. Her heartfelt praises of God's love and mercy,
faithfulness and the hope and healing salvation that Jesus offers
those who believe will offer encouragement and uplift the listener.
If you are feeling down before listening
to her CD, you will certainly be spiritually uplifted and definitely
encouraged considerably afterwards, by all the positive reminders
of how great our God is, and how much Jesus loves and cares for
us, our dependable friend who never lets us down.
She focuses on different aspects of these
spiritual truths, in creative choral & solo compositions / arrangements
of Gospel music, with some jazz and pop musical styles and tempos
added, providing something for everyone! Those who are new to Gospel
music are in for a treat.
She starts her CD off with a bang, with a
personal reflection based on her own experience, in the song,
IF IT HAD NOT BEEN FOR THE LORD (written by Dorinda & Ward).
It is a contemporary Gospel song with shades of jazz, and pop, that
witnesses to the Lord's mercy, faithfulness, and patience that He
has for not only her but for all of us.
Lyrical Sample: Chorus: If it had not been
for the Lord, Who was on my side, I wanna know where I'd be, If
it had not been for the Lord, Who was on my side, I wanna know where
I'd be.
When I think about, all the many times, that
I could have been cast away. And God's love and grace, sold my destiny.
And he kept me from all tragedy. Each and every day as I kneel and
pray, and I ask the Lord for one more chance. New Mercy that he
let me see. That's why I can sing and dance.
On the same theme, is the moving song, I'M
STILL HERE (also written by Dorinda), which praises the grace of
God that has brought her through her troubles and trials.
Lyrical Sample: When I look back over my
life, and I see all the things, God's done for me. Been through
danger, heartache and trouble, I thank the Lord, He rescued me.
He's blessed me still, I could have lost
my faith, and I could have fell from His Grace. Now I can say, that
I'm still here, and it's by the grace of God.
A favorite song of this reviewer is the powerful
song, YOU CAN'T TAKE MY JOY, described as being a "dramatic
choral / orchestral ballad," which effectively uses organ, piano
and strings, featuring Dorinda's dynamic singing style and the terrific
back-up choir. You CAN'T TAKE MY JOY
was the result of the collaboration of Dorinda Clark-Cole and Michael
Mindingall.
The song talks about the inner joy one receives
from a continuous relationship with Jesus Christ, that can't be
taken away by anything. (See John 15:10-11 & Romans 8:35-39)
Dorinda explains what she knows about this
inner joy which she has learned from personal experience. "In
spite of any of life's adversities, when you have a relationship
with God there is one thing no one can take away from you, and that
is the joy and inner peace that only HE can provide. An enemy may
try to come against me to assassinate my character, or do any manner
of things to pull me down, but no one is going to get that joy of
the Lord."
Lyrical Sample: This joy that I have removes
all my doubts, this joy calms my fears. Oh what sweet such wonderful
joy, It lifts you up -- and dries my tears.
This joy that I have the world didn't give
me. This joy that I have the world can't take it away. It makes
me love everyday, When trying to your place.
Chorus: I have this Joy--Joy unspeakable,
That flows inside--full of Glory--I just can't hide. One thing I
know--and it's for sure, that you can't take--my Joy.
A real toe-tapper, that starts off with
a musical introduction that really cooks; (electrical guitar and
drums, followed by brass ensemble and full choir), is the high-spirited
I'M COMING OUT, (by Dorinda & Ward). The song refers to coming
out of troubles, heart aches, sickness, trials, with hands up praising
God - Stepping out on faith that the Lord will see you through,
praising God for all circumstances.
Dorinda says,"It says that no matter
how bad things are you can still praise God, and the more you praise
Him the sooner and better you'll come out of the situation."
It is very possible that you will be dancing
around the room to this one, renewing your spirit, taking heart
in God's faithfulness in any situation, at the same time!
Lyrical Sample: I'm coming out! With my
hands up! I'm coming out! With my hands up! Trials come to weigh
me down. It's okay, I'm not gone lose no ground. Got the praise
on my lips, Word in my heart, I don't have to worry 'cause I'm coming
out of this. I can shout over my troubles,
Yeah, because my hearts full of praise. God gave me a key, anything
I ask in his name, He'll give it to me.
Chorus: All the Trials That I've been through,
it's only a test of being renewed. Nobody knows the story, behind
all this glory, I've got a right to praise Him and kick up my heels
and I shout...
God answers prayers in his own perfect timing,
not always when we think He should, which is the principle behind
YOU CAN'T HURRY GOD, another upbeat, encouraging song by Dorinda
and Ward, that is another crowd pleaser done in swing style Gospel
music.
Lyrical Sample: Chorus - You can't hurry
God, you just have to wait. He may not come when you want Him, But
He'll be there (be there), right on time. You can depend on God
to come through (but you gotta wait). Just have to wait. Gotta wait,
Gotta wait, Gotta wait on Jesus.
Waiting on God, Seems so uncomfortable,
cause you really don't know how long you gotta wait. My soul doth
waiteth patiently on the Lord, because he shall renew my strength.
Stop complaining, start believing! He's gonna come through right
when you need Him.
Dorinda and the rest of the Clark Sisters,
Karen Clark-Sheard, Elbertina "Twinkie" Clark & Jackie Clark-Chisholm
join her for a soulful rendition of Saph A. Ward's SHOW ME THE WAY,
a prayer set to Gospel, asking the Lord to show them how to act
more Christ-like.
Lyrical sample: Show me the way to your
heart, Lord teach me how to love, Lord teach me how to pray, I wanna
be more like you, I'm begging you please.
Karen Clark Sheard sings the background
vocals for Dorinda, in a traditional Gospel hymn by James Moss /
Elbertina Walker, NO, NOT ONE, a song that expresses the truth that
there isn't a friend that can be as complete, as loving as Jesus,
because of who He is. The song has The Clark Sister touch, by not
only show casing Dorinda's improvisational style of singing sparked
with elements of jazz and pop music, but also made it into their
own creation by being melded together with their big hit, ANGELS.
Lyrical Sample: There's not a friend like
the lowly Jesus, No not one - No not one. None else can heal all
our soul's diseases, No not one - No not one. Jesus knows all about
our struggles, He will guide until the day is done. Can no one do
me like him, He is there (all the time), He's Emmanuel (all the
time), Angel watching over me.
Also enjoyable, inspirational, and rousing
are her renditions of:
ITS NOT ME; (by James Moss - Gives the glory
to God for her success)
Lyrical Sample: So
many people think I've got it all right. Like I hear from the Lord
every day and all night. But I don't. I fast and pray like you because
it gets me through. I'm just a vessel that God chose to use.
NOBODY LIKE JESUS; (by Marlowe Cribb - A rousing reminder,
praising Jesus)
Lyrical Sample: There's nobody! Nobody like
Jesus.
Chorus: Lord I thank you for. For your love
and grace. Lord I thank you for.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO LEAVE HERE THE SAME; (by
Ward)
Lyrical Sample:- Jesus will remove all doubt
and shame; All you have to do is believe and claim it.
YOU CAN (by James Moss) and NEED HIM
(by James Moss)
A favorite song that touched this reviewer
the most is NEED HIM (by James Moss), that was written in
response to the horror and destruction, loss and despair caused
by the evil in our society and the world, which comes from the dark
side of human nature, such as what happened on 911. This
song reaches out to hurt, angry and frightened people suffering
from the evil deeds of others, as well as those traumatized from
the attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
The song is very rhythmic, the background
beat done with a synthesizer (syncopated rhythm), a combination
of various percussion, and a single hit from a snare on the first
beat of every measure of music, recorded in PAJAM'S studio. With
just these rhythmic beats in the back ground, Dorinda and her small
ensemble choir, carry the tune accapella, in a wonderfully rich
harmony which they of course have no trouble doing. With their talent,
a gift from God, they don't need musical accompaniment to keep them
in tune!
Besides Dorinda's shining, moving performance,
touches of rap are added, making this a very unique, simple but
grippingly powerful song preaching the message of that now more
than ever, people need Jesus in their life.
After a harmonious then dissonant electronic
/ synthesized swelling sounds, an explosive bang, a siren sound,
the song starts with a male voice speaking through a synthesizer:
"In lieu of everything that is going on, here is a message - We
ain't scared." (The song goes on to explain why)
Lyrical Sample: First verse, in a minor
key: How are you feelin'? Are you feelin' kind of down from all
the things that you see? How are you dealin'? You don't know who
your neighbor might really be? Tell me what you think, with people
being all around us, I know what it means, we need the Lord more
now than ever. People Dyin', People cryin', People stealin', cheatin',
killin', People plotting, scheming demons People lyin', runin',
hidin'....
Chorus: Through the fire, through the rain,
through the sorrow, through the pain; Well call if you want Him,
Call if you need Him. If you don't know Him, you sure do need Him.
Keep him in your car, in your home, you should never be without
him in your life -Get to know Jesus! Well at your job, in your school,
let everybody know you got him in your life - Get to know Jesus!
Julie Carr - Reviewer for ChristianMusic.com
For booking and management, contact: COLE
ENTERPRISES, Haith Johnson & Cymantha Channey. P.O. Box 3936, Southfield,
MI 48034 / Phone: 866-744-7664 / E-Mail: clamusic@aol.com.
Gospo Centric Records Website: gospowalk.com
/ E-Mail: mbacon@gospocentric.com
Jalila Larsuel / JL Media / E-Mail: JLMediaPR@aol.com
(Located in Altadena, Calif).
Lynn McCain / Lynn McCain & Co./ E-Mail:
Nashville, Tn. (Nashville)
