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The London Community Gospel Choir
@ Pizza On The Park, London
17 July 2006
Click an image to enlarge.
Biography
Formed in 1982 by visionary Bazil Meade, with help from Lawrence
Johnson, Delroy Powell and John Francis, The London Community Gospel
Choir (LCGC) have certainly grown in stature over the past two decades,
and won the hearts of audiences worldwide.
From the outset the choir worked tirelessly to perfect their now
renowned rich soulful, gospel, sound. Though Choir members may have
changed throughout the years, the spirit of LCGC remains strong.
With a membership register of fifty, selected LCGC members perform
one hundred – one hundred and fifty shows a year and have
collaborated and performed with a wide variety of musicians such
as Luther Vandross, Tina Turner, George Michael, Stevie Wonder,
Paul McCartney, Puff Daddy, Jefferson & Whitfield and Van Morrison
to name but a few. The choir have been involved with many historical
events, such as Nelson Mandela’s visit to Brixton, South London
July 1996, and represented the British Council at international
festivals in Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The BBC have requested LCGC’s collective vocal magic for
promotional campaigns, as well as being headliners at the first
BBC Proms Gospel Night at The Royal Albert Hall. Contributing to
the soundtrack of Disney’s ‘The Lion King’ is
viewed by many as one the choir’s greatest achievements to
date.
Review
The London Community Gospel Choir’s performance at Pizza
On The Park was definitely ‘an up close and personal experience’.
Though this was a small-scattered Monday evening audience, the warmth,
richness and collective enthusiasm of the group effectively filled
the venue to capacity. Though I was not familiar with much of the
material performed by LCGC, I felt compelled to attempt to sing
along, or just hum along as best I could. Thankfully there were
many long-term LCGC fans in the audience who made up for my vocal
inadequacies.
Overall – an enlightening and gently uplifting experience.
One I would love to re-live in the very near future.
Musicians:
LCGC - vocals
Robin Francis
© Michael Valentine Studio Ltd.
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