The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin (CD - 2002)

Personnel includes: Kirk Franklin, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Bishop TD Jakes, Donnie McClurkin, Jaci Velasquez, Willie Neal Johnson, Papa San, Yolanda Adams, Alvin Slaughter, Toby Mac (vocals); Carl Goredetzky (conductor);

Todd Parsnow (acoustic & electric guitars); The Nashville Strings (strings);

Michael Robinson (piano); Jim Horn (alto saxophone, baritone saxophone); Doug Moffitt (tenor saxophone); Vinny Ciesielski, Quinton Ware (trumpet); Chris McDonald (trombone); Bobby Sparks II (Hammond B-3 organ, keyboards); Shaun Martin (keyboards); Keith Taylor (bass); Lawrence "Peabody" Ferrell (drums); Ernest "Ernie G" Greene (DJ); The Voices Of Life (background vocals).

Engineers include: Timothy Powell, Michael Hanson, Mark Nevers.

Recorded live at Lakewood Church, Houston, Texas.

This journey through R&B gospel phenomenon Kirk Franklin's life so far is an absorbing, sometimes traumatic, ultimately inspirational look at one man's path to finding his faith. Commencing with an introduction portraying a woman abandoning her child to the arms of her grandmother, a scenario that recalls Franklin's own infant abandonment, the album quickly takes us through an uplifting church ceremony in the rousing gospel chants of "Hosanna" and the Shirley Caesar-led "Caught Up," to "911," a confessional dialogue with Bishop T.D. Jakes about Franklin's doubts and fears since the terrorist attacks of 9/11.

THE REBIRTH OF KIRK FRANKLIN is quintessential modern gospel, far removed from some of the more sanitized collections available; religious songs are used here to confront social problems and scenarios and to provide comfort, if not always answers. There's room for doubt in Kirk Franklin's world, and more importantly, room for redemption. On his past showings, the charts will sit up and take notice--hopefully the world will, too. minimize