I Wanna Be Ready
Navona, 2023
8/10
The arranger, composer and vocalist Courtney Carey blurs the lines between the spiritual and divine with these 12 well crafted selections.
The title track opens the listen with Rodari Simpson’s tenor and The Concert Chorale making for a very vibrant and expressive lead off into the vocally strong listen, and “Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Chile” follows with Jeryl Cunningham-Fleming’s stunning soprano and Joseph Joubert’s elegant piano working together with much beauty.
Deeper into the listen, “Oh, De Blin’ Man Stood On The Road An’ Cried” allows Justin Michael Austin’s baritone and Joubert’s keys to emit a stirring intimacy, while “Calvary” spotlights The Concert Chorale’s dynamic interaction with meticulous and fluid singing.
Near the end, The Concert Choral shines bright on the spiritual “Lord, I Want Two Wings”, where the range is explored in depth, and they continue that strategic harmonizing with “You Can Tell The World”.
Whether the setting is solo or with a group, each piece here is either bare and absorbing or layered and mesmerizing, and also includes Olanna Goudeau, Asha Lindsey, Mari-Yan Pringle, Jasmine Thomas, Jeanette Blakeney, Shyanne Clark, Patrice Eaton, Kaleb Hopkins, Taiwan Norris, Lonnie Reed, Charles Carter, Angelo Johnson, and Eliam Ramos’ talents.
Travels well with: Sirius Quartet- Playing On The Edge 3; Patterns- Chamber Works