The Persuasions - Sunday Morning Soul (2000)

Raise your voice and praise the Lord. And if you're in a vocal group like the Persuasions, praise Him loudly. Even after 35 years of making great records, the Persuasions are exciting, thrilling to hear. Their tight, interwoven vocals are a metaphor for humanity getting along, and their sound is just plain fun. While they always include some gospel, Sunday Morning Soul is entirely religious; except for one, they're all standards. Jerry Lawson sings lead, his lush and rich tones floating heavenward on "Did You Stop to Pray," "One Thing You Can't Take Away," and eight more greats. You want to get deep? Try singing along with bassist Jimmy Hayes when he steps out (or is it down?) on "Walk in Jerusalem." And second tenor Joe Russell also takes a lead, rendering "Thank You for One More Day" with all the power that gratitude and glory allows. There's nothing on these dozen songs but voices, and they're soulful enough to make you never miss instruments again. --Robert Gordon