Kirk Franklin - Hello Fear

Kirk Franklin walked onto the stage and just stood there. He didn't say a word. The audience sat there trying to figure out what he was doing....and then it hit us! He was crying. What was it that had him stand there with tears running down his face? He told the story of how he the song 'I Smile' came to him at time when he was really down. He had just dropped a really close family member off at rehab. He then recounted that his sister had come out of jail after spending over ten years in there. People started clapping but he stopped them because she was back in jail having violated probation by going back to doing drugs and prostitution. He quoted a scripture that in essence said that we should rejoice anyway. He said God commanded it because he knew that we wouldn't always feel like it.

My respect for him was found as he quoted the words for 'Hello Fear' . Even if you don't want to listen to the music, you will be incredibly moved by the words. Kirk Franklin is gifted lyrically AND musically. One can't help but think about the subtle depth of the statement in 'I Smile' where he says "Now everyday ain't gonna be perfect, but it still don't mean today don't have purpose." "Before I Die' has the DC go-go beat and is very upbeat. 'I Am' looks at the broken spirit and shares how he finds healing ("I thought I was worthless until you showed me who I am"). Marvin Sapp and Beverly Crawford deliver a powerful performance in 'At the Altar'. Rance Allen, Marvin Winans, John P. Kee and Isaac Carrea give a delightful rendition of a new arrangement of 'Something About The Name Jesus' with Rance Allen delivering his trademark sounds that we remember from the original version.

The beauty of all the songs, especially the slower ones, is that there are several layers of instruments that set the mood and lead you through the emotions behind the words. He skillfully weaves in violins, an occasional organ, the beat of the drums, and the chimes. You even hear the occasional horns. Why his parents never once thought to tell him that he was gifted is beyond me.

This is definitely an album worth buying. I am sure that each person will have more than three favorites on the CD--it is that good! He said he felt that this was his most important album from a personal perpective, and didn't care about the album sales or chart numbers. Ironically, in taking his journey to himself, he shows us that today is a testimony to our resilience to the pain and fear of the past, and our beginning of a future where the sky is not the limit. That, ultimately, will make this a record-breaking album.