Dionne Warwick - Why we sing

Dionne Warwick - Why we sing

Review by Mawunyo Gbogbo

How could I possibly fault a Gospel album from the legendary Dionne Warwick? ‘Why we sing’ is the iconic singer’s second Gospel album. There’s been a 40-year gap since she released her last one. Despite this, the veteran performer describes Gospel music as her first love. This album is, in a word, beautiful. Press play and you’ll discover a selection of uplifting songs of praise carefully handpicked by the five-time Grammy award winner.

Dionne Warwick’s illustrious music career began more than 45 years ago and her catalogue includes the chart-topping pop hits ‘I say a little prayer,’ ‘Walk on by,’ and ‘That’s what friends are for.’ The consummate performer has inspired countless artists with her distinctive sound and extensive body of recorded work. She returns to her roots on this album, having grown up in a family of Gospel singers. And members of her family feature heavily on this album.

The acclaimed entertainer teamed up with sister, Dee Dee Warwick, prior to her recent death. Together they recorded the title track – Kirk Franklin’s 1993 breakthrough smash hit – ‘Why we sing’. ‘We sing because we’re happy, we sing because we’re free/His eye is on the sparrow, He’s the reason why we sing.’ She also cuts a track with her son David Elliot. And her aunt, Cissy Houston, (Whitney Houston’s mother) composed the arrangement for ‘The Lord is my Shepherd,’ a musical rendition of the 23rd Psalm.

I was taken back to the days of Sunday school with Warwick’s charming interpretation of ‘Jesus Loves Me’. But my personal favourite is the lead track. Warwick’s haunting rendition of ‘Battle Hymn of the Republic’ is enough to bring tears to your eyes. Initially, I had the tendency to outpace Warwick when singing along to this classic. But the deliberate slowness of this version allows you to immerse yourself in the significance of the lyrics and really experience the music.

New tracks on the album include ‘I’m going up,’ a lively duet with Gospel artist BeBe Winans; and ‘I lift my heart,’ which was specifically written for Warwick by the talented musician Gregory Curtis.

‘Why we sing’ is a must have for lovers of Gospel music. The songs on this album will stay with you long after the ‘record stops spinning’.