Give Me Jesus: Spirituals (1998)

Collectie a cappella met gospelkoor vertolkte spirituals, met Barbara Hendricks als solist. "Hendricks' voice, above all, is gorgeous, a glowing and vulnerable instrument with thrilling range, overflowing with emotion in its upper register. Her intonation and control is virtually flawless here as in her classical work, and she brings a volatile earthiness to her readings. Particularly stirring are "Wade in the Water," "Ain't That Good News," "I Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray," "My God Is So High," and "I Stood on the River of Jordan." The sensational Singers are equally impressive. There is an irrepressible spirit of joy in the group's choral singing that seems to spring from a profoundly deep well, and its vocal arrangements add incalculable brushstrokes of color. Hendricks has a few mannered moments, but picking such nits is being unnecessarily fussy, especially considering the overwhelmingly physical impact of these performances." (Stanton Swihart, Allmusic)