The Reason Why I Sing – Kirk Franklin

Old school, eh.  I mean it’s not even old school, but now it’s old school.  Old school used to be classic Andrae Crouch and the Disciples stuff or something from the Rev. James Cleveland.  Back in the day old would be really classic Shirley Caesar when she was in the Caravans or Mahalia Jackosn.  Back further and we’re talking Thomas Dorsey’s scandalous gospel lyrics to some of the music of his day.  Ahh the old school.

This is old school though, now.  I mean it’s what a 90’s thing.  It’s nearly 20 years old for crying out loud, you don’t need much of a reason to call something old school than that.  I remember the huge impact it made on choirs on this side of the pond as I was part of a choir that sang it years after it had been rinsed out by any choir worthy of the name (and a number of others nowhere near worthy).

I’m sure I could break down for you why it’s such a classic gospel track, talk about the lyrical structure, the choir’s bit and breakdown and the way Kirk handles it at the front.  I could do that, but why, when you can just enjoy it on its own merits and let it take you back to the day when having those kind of outfits and hairstyles was considered to be cutting edge.  Wow, we’ve moved on from there, and I’m sure not the only person saying a hearty thank God for that.

In any case, enjoy it and who knows when it might come in handy to remember this song, just in case something else comes in the pipeline that’s inspired from it …

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

dmcd