You Can Make It

by Shirley Caesar

Overview

Shirley Caesar has a masterful command of gospel praise song, and "Lift Him Up," which comes right in the middle of You Can Make It, is a practically generic example of the style, with its frantic tempo, excited chorus, and repeated exhortations to "Praise His name!" Caesar, of course, both leads the choir and provides emotive variations. You might say that the album breaks down into two types of songs, ones like "Lift Him Up" that start out at a pitch of excitement and stay there throughout, and others like the title song that proceed at a slower pace and begin more quietly, only to build to a fervent climax. But within the strictures of the form, Caesar demonstrates a willingness to incorporate elements of other pop music styles, sometimes ones that are known for being influenced by gospel. You could listen to the first part of the opening track, "Rejoice," and almost think you had put a James Brown record on by mistake, as the music takes a funky turn. "You Can Make It" sounds like a Patti LaBelle ballad for much of its run, while the horn-filled "Nicodemus" has a 1970s pop sound that recalls the rock band Chicago. But Caesar's throaty, impassioned voice is unmistakable, and she's at her best on more traditional gospel tunes like "What Joy," a duet with Bobby Jones. Nevertheless, the subtle varying of styles serves to broaden the appeal of a music that often finds itself preaching, however joyfully, to the choir. ~ William Ruhlmann

Product Details

Release Date:	07/02/2002
Label:	Word Distribution / Myrrh Records
UPC:	0080688605025

Tracks

1. Rejoice
2. Armor of God
3. You Can Make It
4. What Joy
5. It's Under the Blood
6. Lift Him Up
7. Nicodermus
8. I Am God
9. It's a Blessing
10. Reign Jesus Reign

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Shirley Caesar   Primary Artist,Vocals,Synthesizer,Choir Director
Caesar Singers   Primary Artist,Featured Artist,Vocals
New Direction   Primary Artist,Featured Artist,Vocals
Brent Jones & the T.P. Mobb   Primary Artist
The Mt. Calvary Word Of Faith Choir   Featured Artist,Choir/Chorus
The Nashville Super Choir   Featured Artist,Choir/Chorus
The Mt Calvary Word Of Faith Choir   Featured Artist
Bobby Jones   Featured Artist,Guest Artist
Maurice Rogers   Piano,Synthesizer,Piano
Eternity   Vocals
Michael Mathis   Organ
Sheryl Harper   Drums
Calvin Napper   Drums
Barry Green   Trombone
Derrick Lee   Piano,Choir Director
Vinnie Ciesielski   Trumpet
Percy Gray, Jr.   Choir Director
Rick Watford   Guitar,Guitar (Rhythm)
Donald Gore   Vocals
Lisa Butts   Vocals
Melvin Gray   Bass,Guitar (Bass)
Rick Carter   Bass,Drum Loop,Guitar (Bass)
Michael E. Mathis   Organ,Chimes,Vocals,Synthesizer,Orchestra Bells
Tom Wanca   Keyboards,Synthesizer
Doug Moffet   Saxophone,Sax (Tenor)
Gene Conyers   Vocals,Director
Danny Graham   Choir Director
Bernard Sterling   Vocals
Steve Patrick   Trumpet
Eric Darken   Percussion
Jim Horn   Sax (Baritone)

Technical Credits

Bubba Smith   Producer,Executive Producer,A&R
Caesar Singers   Performer
Rodney Covington   Hair Stylist
Alvin Williams   A&R,Executive Producer
Bobby Lee Jones   Choir Arrangement
Michael Robinson   Composer,Composer
Jennifer Kemp   Wardrobe
Johnny Williams, Jr.   Mastering
Bert Stevens   Engineer,Percussion Engineer
Beth Lee   Art Direction
Valerie Clark   Composer
Jeanie McQuinn   Composer
Doug DeLong   Assistant Engineer
Hank Williams   Mastering
Derrick Rutledge   Make-Up
Marc Lacuesta   Vocal Engineer
Michael Mathis   Composer,Producer
Bobby Jones   Composer
Tony Baker   Photography
Jacqueline Reddick   Composer
Pamela Davis   Composer
Tracy Schroeder   Assistant Engineer
Shirley Caesar   Producer,Choir Arrangement
Kevin Davidson   Composer
Jacquelyn Reddick   Composer
Ed Stasium   Mixing,Engineer,Vocal Engineer
Derrick Lee   Composer,Choir Arrangement
Lloyd Barry   Horn Arrangements
Jeff Lane   Engineer,Vocal Engineer
Sanchez Harley   Composer
Percy Gray, Jr.   Choir Arrangement
Michael E. Mathis   Composer,Producer,Choir Arrangement
Alan Litten   Assistant Engineer
Danny Graham   Composer,Choir Arrangement
David Hamilton   String Arrangements
Robert Cameron   Composer
Mark Williams   Engineer,Vocal Engineer,Synthesizer Engineer