Follow the Star (CD - 2003)

Personnel: T.D. Jakes (vocals, spoken vocals, piano); Angie Winans (vocals, piano, background vocals); Smokie Norful (vocals, piano); Tina Watson, Dexter Jakes, Annette "Queenie" Lennox, Darwin Hobbs, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Sheri Jones Moffat, Victor Cook, Trio DeHoy, Charlotte Horton, Gina & Mike Thurston, Thomas Young, Beverly Crawford, Victor Trent Cook, Rodrick Dixon (vocals); Jesus Velez, Joey Woolfalk, Jonathan DuBose, Jr., Paul Jackson, Jr. , Jessie Gonzalez, Carlos Pennell (guitar); Blue Miller (acoustic guitar); Reggie Young (electric guitar); Nashville String Machine (strings); Mark Douthit (flute, tenor saxophone, horns); Doug Moffet (flute, baritone saxophone, horns); Kirk Whalum (saxophone); Steve Patrick (trumpet, piccolo trumpet, horns); Mike Haynes (trumpet, horns); Beth Beeson, Jennifer Kummer (French horn); Barry Green (horns); John Jarvis (piano, organ, keyboards); Steven Ford (piano, keyboards, programming); Jamar Jones (keyboards, drum programming); Chris Morris (keyboards); Mark Beckett (drums, percussion); Steve "Supe" White (drums, programming); Ralph Pace Jr., Orlando Gonzalez, J.D. Blair (drums); Ternae Jordan Jr., Jovaun Woods, Teresa Verge, Cynthia Pasley, Sharon Moore-Caldwell, Debra Winans, Darcey Stewart, Jr., Moiba Mustapha, Jerard Woods, Melinda Doolittle, LeAnne Palmore (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Chris Conway; Ced C; Vic C.; Chrissy Conway; Glenn Barratt; D. Lawrence; Pete Greene; Warryn Campbell.

Recording information: Chung King Studios, New York, NY; Classic Recording Studios, Brentwood, TN; Emerald Sound Studios, Chicago, IL; Father's Image, Brentwood, TN; Hartman Way Sounds, Los Angeles, CA; Hinge Inc., Chicago, IL; Neville Neville Land Studios, New Orleans, LA; Oceanway Nashville; Omega Studios, Rockville, MD; S. Ford Music Studios, Cherry Hill, NJ; Twin Creeks, Nashville, TN.

Introduction by: T.D. Jakes.

Arrangers: Chris Goldsmith; D. Lawrence; Aaron Neville; John Chelew ; Angie Winans; Smokie Norful; The Katinas; Victor Caldwell; The Blind Boys of Alabama; Jessie Gonzalez; Cedric Caldwell.

Follow the Star contains 13 traditional songs of the holiday season based on personal favorites of Bishop T.D. Jakes. Alongside three tracks by Jakes -- "From Our House, to Your House," "Away in a Manger" (with Angie Winans), and "Follow the Star" (with Dorinda Clark-Cole) -- are beautiful versions of "The First Noel" (Aaron Neville) and "Born in Bethlehem" (Blind Boys of Alabama and Mavis Staples). This is a recommended disc especially for those seeking reflective moments during the busy holiday season. ~ Al Campbell minimize