LOS ANGELES, CA- It often takes a while for a recording artist to brave a different musical path than the one that got them to the pinnacle of their success. While many careers have been derailed because of such a venture, many have seen their careers blossom and start anew. But it takes a certain amount of talent, confidence and to retain the old fan base while attracting the new. Tori Kelly is one of those artists.
For her third studio album, multi-platinum selling artist Tori Kelly decided to step away from the pop-centric R&B that made her a household name and explored her gospel roots, and enlisted the kelp of Grammy Award winning Gospel producer/songwriter Kirk Franklin to record Hiding Place (released September 14th, 2018). While the shift from pop to gospel, on its surface, may seem jarring for some, the album is till still faithful Tori’s original aesthetic that will not be disappointed with the results. Kirk Franklin’s lustrous production and Tori’s mellifluously soulful voice make for a fantastic pairing that will have both faith-based and secular listeners enjoying on the album on repeat, notwithstanding the religious subject matter and lyrics.
In support of this release, Tori performed a handful of domestic tour dates in intimate settings. Los Angeles was privilege to two of these performances (the second show was added as the first show had sold out in an instant), each in the Sanctuary of Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Korea Town.
To say that the venue was ideal would be a tremendous understatement. With its ceilings that arched high into the sky, and its beautifully stained windows that reflected colorful rays of light whenever the lights from the lighting rig beamed rays in its direction, it was … to put it plainly … glorious to see.
As Tori sang her music, her full bodied voice echoed throughout to room. With the room at full capacity, Tori’s music filled the room with a soulful warmth that was accompanied hands raised in the air and dancing in the aisles.
While her performance highlighted songs from Hiding Place (“Masterpiece”, “Psalm 42” and “Soul’s Anthem (It Is Well)”, she made sure to include songs that her day-ones have loved hearing her sing, including her cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing” which she made popular with her in the animated featured film “Sing”.
Backed by a full band that included a trio of gospel backing vocalists, the music was loud and boisterous when it needed to be, but at a moment’s notice, Tori could tone it down and passionately emote to let her devotion and faith come out center stage (especially during “Psalm 42”).
If there’s one thing that I particularly took away from the performance, it was how natural and organic the evening felt. Every lyric that Tori sang, you could feel the earnestness in her voice. It was pure and genuine, and that’s something that can’t be taught or trained. It came from the soul, and it felt that way.
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