The Gospel According to Patti

 

December 2, 2006 – Landover, Maryland

 

 At Jericho City of Praise Church, pastored by Dr. Betty P. Peeples, and Minister Joel R. Peebles, a crowd of nearly 10,000 gathered Saturday night to see and hear two of the most prominent and legendary voices of our time, Shirley Caesar and Patti LaBelle

 

Ms. Shirley Caesar, powerhouse gospel vocalist and the show’s opening act, who, despite having a touch of the flu performed, on full-tilt, her soul stirring gospel favorites Hold On (He’ll Bring You Through) and Jesus (Every Day Your Name Is The Same), to a standing crowd where random audience members were given the opportunity to showcase their own vocal talents. The audience’s solo performances where so incredible that Ms. Caesar, in a jovial moment of fun, began grabbing the microphones of performers who could have quite possibly stolen the show.

 

Ms. Caesar, donned the First Lady of gospel music, performed in-step with her back up dancers and challenged audience members, allowed to join her in front of the stage, to do the same.

 

The Gospel According To Patti, a nine-city gospel tour with the Washington, D.C. area being its number two stop, introduces Ms. LaBelle’s first ever gospel album, of the same title.

 

DC Urban LifeStyle Magazine caught up with the R&B diva, turned gospel artist, after the show’s meet-and-greet portion to ask Ms. LaBelle what the inspiration is behind the tour and her new gospel album.

 

 “All my life I’ve wanted to do a gospel album, but my (recording) label at time would never let me”, Patti told DC Urban LifeStyle Magazine.  “I would ask, but they always would tell me no”, further explained Ms. LaBelle.  “When I finally dropped them I became a ‘free agent’ and am now able to record the music I like to sing.”

 

Patti credits her new record label, Universal Records and record executive, Jheryl Busby for allowing her the creative rights she’s desired.

 

Ms. LaBelle was quick to note that while she does have plans to record another gospel album in the future, she has not left secular music – as evidenced by performances of several of her favorite hit songs including her opening number, ‘When You’ve Been Blessed’,

 

 “I need a fan”, said Patti.  “I’m 62 years young and menopausal”, she told the laughing audience.  Amidst hot flashes, sequestering a fan from the church staff, and being bear foot, Ms. LaBelle didn’t leave the audience disappointed as she continued her performance with songs from her new album and longtime Patti LaBelle favorite, ‘You Are My Friend’, which she sang, duet, with Shirley Caesar.

 

“Whenever I call her, she’s always there for me”, Patti said of her friend.

 

“I’m so glad Patti is singing gospel music, responded Ms. Caesar’.

 

In addition to introducing her new gospel album, Patti also uses the tour as a platform to talk about her having diabetes.  She told the audience that she had three sisters die before the age of 42, and a mother die of cancer at age 58.  

 

Telling the audience, “I count each year as a blessing”, and employed the audience “not to take your health for granted”, as she brought the concert to a close.

 

And what would a Patti LaBelle concert be without Patti performing ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’?

 

In her paisley purple and gold pant ensemble with purple fur-trimmed jacket Ms. LaBelle, throwing the microphone stand cross stage and taking the mic in her hand as she prepared to hit the highest notes in the song, belted out, ‘ ….why-yyyy cann’t i-iii-iii-ii  to the sounds of audience applause and cheers.