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CD review: Patty Griffin ‘Downtown Church’
Patty Griffin
‘Downtown Church’
(Credential)
Grade: B+
Before she became the undisputed Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin was a mediocre gospel singer. Really. A magnificent voice always, but Aretha lacked the purity of purpose possessed by such less talented, but better Christian blues singers as Sallie Martin, Dorothy Love Coates and Bessie Griffin.
Patty Griffin is an amazingly athletic singer and her fans will love her attempt to get next to God on “Downtown Church,” recorded at a Presbyterian one in Nashville. But there’s no growl in the gal. Praising a higher power who can’t get the electricity turned back on takes an innate quiver or twist that, like Lady Soul, Griffin just doesn’t have. Don’t know why she thought she could bring something fresh to “If I Had My Way” and “Wade In the Water.” When the Staple Singers did those songs in the ’60s, they were done. Produced by Buddy Miller as if he has too many albums and loves them all, “Downtown Church” is often divinely stirring but lacks a deep spiritual core.
And when the Lark of Hyde Park throws in “Virgen de Guadalupe,” it comes off as the most awkward border crossing since Vallejo tried to pass as Rock en Español.
Griffin’s seventh studio album works better when she covers country gospel, such as Hank Williams’ “House of Gold” and “We Shall All Be Reunited” by Doc Watson, and adds hue with gentle new originals “Little Fire” and “Coming Home To Me.” But what really makes the record is a solemn, yet soaring, version of “All Creatures of Our God and King,” written in 1225 by St. Francis of Assisi. A hymn made for her, it’s like being in church and the top of a mountain at the same time.
Listen, I’m a snob of black gospel music, so it was predetermined that I wouldn’t accept this. I was going to list all the gospel records you should buy instead of “Downtown Church.” But over a few listens, I was converted.
But if you pick this up, you also have to get “Freedom Highway” by the Staple Singers. Patty wants you to.
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By Matt
January 25, 2010 7:08 PM | Link to this
You’re right. You are a snob.
By Zeb
January 25, 2010 7:25 PM | Link to this
Aretha Franklin was not a mediocre gospel single. She produced a gospel album at age 14 that was amazing. She was taught style by greats such as Clara Ward, James Cleveland, and Mahalia Jackson. She learned and became her own as an artist and went on to produce the best-selling gospel album of all time “Amazing Grace”
By afreshmusic
January 25, 2010 8:59 PM | Link to this
To say that Aretha Franklin was a mediocre gospel singer is truly an insult. Aretha Franklin was a gospel singer at 14 years old and was singing like an adult woman. When Aretha returned to gospel in 1972 after major success in the R&B and Soul field. She did so with the approval of her father the Rev. C.L Franklin and one of her mentors Clara Ward of the famous Ward Singers. Mediocre? Really?
You might want to improve on your knowledge of music and writing skills especially if you have to put down a great artist to build up an unknown artist.
By Steverose Berry
January 26, 2010 9:33 AM | Link to this
What idiot wrote this, who do you think you are? Don’t tell me who to listen to- my ears are my own. Patty sings we listen, we enjoy it and it is possible she’s exposing us to something different that we would not go out and buy if it wasn’t from her. Evidentally you don’t enjoy it I probably don’t share your taste in music either- but who cares?
By SoulMusic
January 26, 2010 10:47 AM | Link to this
I don’t think it is safe to label Aretha a mediocre gospel singer. Let it be known, her first gospel album was recorded when ReRe was a mere 14 yrs. old. Clearly, @ 14, Aretha lacked the talent of older, established acts such as Bessie Griffin & Sallie Martin. 16 years later, in 1972, Aretha recorded the definitive gospel album, Amazing Grace. She was above & beyond mediocre @ that point.
By Zeb McClure
January 26, 2010 11:30 AM | Link to this
Aretha Franklin is not a mediocre gospel singer!