Posted on 06/23/2009
Regardless of personal stance on the religious spectrum, the church’s influence on African-American life is undeniable. For many singers from decades past, church folk made up their first formal audience while they conjured up the Spirit with moving, passionate vocals. And for many devoted gospel music fans, this genre still defines the soul of a people.

Ray Charles, Al Green and many other celebrated musicians all lived in the space where the secular and the sacred overlapped – where one seamlessly became the other. After listening to What Have You Done My Brother? by Naomi Shelton and the Gospel Queens, it’s not surprising to discover that Shelton spent significant time touring the soul music clubs of New York. If it weren’t for the religious terminology throughout the lyrics, this record would sound like any soul album – showing that the line separating soul and gospel music is blurry and grey.

What Have You Done My Brother? will speak to fans of secular blues music, with Shelton’s deep, organic voice complemented by stirring organ and guitar. Most of the songs are low tempo – a far cry from the tambourine-jingling, hand-clapping music most people recognize as the southern gospel tradition. Even though it doesn’t sound like a typical southern gospel album, the south does run through it.

As any good gospel collection should, this one offers comforting solace to lamenting souls, however a straight run through might give the impression that the record player has gotten stuck and you seem to be hearing the same song, again, and again. Also, Shelton’s voice is surprisingly limited. Thankfully, what she lacks in range, she makes up for with conviction.

- Alison Isaac