Reviewed by Tony Cummings

For my money Twinkie is one of the GREAT divas, up there with the Arethas and the Whitneys. Now, of course, the fickle vaguaries of public taste and Twinkie's determination not to chase secular R&B pay dirt but stay strictly gospel has meant she's no household name, unless of course yours is a God fearing household where the Clark Sisters' "You Brought The Sunshine" is played every week as a soul pick-me-up. On this set, recorded live in Detroit at the Greater Emmanuel International Church Of God In Christ, she hollers and purrs and chuckles and shrieks and emotes over a wonderfully tight and funky band and a big choir giving this sanctified soul sistah enough call-and-response to blister the pew varnish. When on the reprise of "Let Your Anointing Be In This Place" she calls for more of the Holy Ghost to come on the musicians you half expect the powerfully socking rhythm section to go down in the Spirit while when she squeezes and cajoles every bit of soul out of the smouldering ballad "Intercession" it's classic Twinkie. She can also write a pretty hot song. Only Twinkie could pen one called "He Was Hung Up For My Hang Ups". This is full on, emotionally charged trad gospel of 100 per cent proof. Maybe it will be a tad too strong for Hillsong worship tastes. But if you're up for it you'll find a magnificent vocal talent giving her all in praise of her God.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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