Along with his sister Cece, Bebe has made a career of terrific Gospel songs. Those creepy, full throated ode to eternal love which, when sung with his sister, gives off the faint aroma of incest. I'll take Fred Hammond any day, but I still quite like Bebe.
Why?
Because, given the genre, he has a sense of self-control. He doesn't over sing, but he doesn't under sell, and control in the face of passion is very good. It gives him the room to punch it out at the end. He was born to sing R&B and I wish he would move away from the straight up spirituals, there is room for a soul singer in r&b.
Until then, here is a different sort of spiritual, odes to the land he loves, America America.
Now, unlike just about all my friends, I have a touch of the my country right or wrong about me. I sincerely believe that since the second world war the States has been not only the greatest but also the country with the greatest moral centrifugal force. Now, I can see the look on your face so let me add that the word "Greatest" has something of a "Nicest Nazi" edge to it.
Also:
1. Because I am Lebanese and have seen first hand what can happen to a country without an army: anarchy and civil war is the result, so I appreciate a strong armed forces.
2. Because I am an immigrant, it hits me as bad manners to kvetch too much about the US.
But I also hate having my feelings manipulated without my approval and unless it is done very well. From the first syrup laced strings of "The Star Spangled Banner" to pathos laid tribute to the armed forces on the diabolic "Ultimate Sacrifice", this album misses about half the time.
But it hits the other half of time. The jingoism of these classic patriotic tracks can leave you feeling a little seasick, but the title track is a slow powerful build, and "My Country Tis Of Thee"" still has added poignancy when sung by a person of color, especially a person who can ring out the theological aspects so directly.
This is something like a counter-point to Neil Young's Americana, in both cases songs we learn as children are refreshed through powerful interpretations. Winan's problem is he is too resolutely a "Good Man" to allow for even the slightest of shadings to these uneven interpretations. So put them in yourself.
Happy July 4th!
Grade: B