SR5010: In the Right Hands   --Chicago Gospel Keyboard Pioneers

  

“… a lovingly assembled disc that comes from The Sirens Records, a small, Chicago-based label renowned for issuing gems of jazz and blues. On this release, the label brings together some of the finest Gospel piano players that the Windy City has to offer, throws in some legendary vocalists, and comes out with gold. Fronting the project is the legendary Jessy Dixon, who brings his decades of prominence to the fore with his strident, victory-filled solo piano on "The Wicked Shall Cease From Their Troubling". … Geraldine Gay tears the album apart with her fantastically jazzed piano styling on "God Shall Wipe All Tears Away” … this cut is worth the price of admission. … Both ["I've Done My Work" and "I Have A Friend"] continue the Geraldine Gay and Pastor Donald Gay showcase, providing further evidence of the value of the hidden treasure that Chicago holds.”

 SR5007

 SR5012

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Press / Music CD Reviews

“This past June, Steven B. Dolins of Highland Park's The Sirens label gathered a trio of Chicago's gospel keyboard kingpins for this historic session, which is as powerful as the label's other classic all-star unions like 8 Hands on 88 Keys and Heavy Timbre - Chicago Boogie Piano. Dixon is the biggest name here – he's earned multiple Grammy nominations and worked with pop artists like Paul Simon – but it's Shaffer who steals the show, bringing an unabashed Baptist fervor to “When the saints Go Marching In”and delicate grace to his duets with Geraldine Gay. The three tackle a mostly instrumental songbook of church standards and evocative originals, but the album's standout is a deeply felt vocal performance of the trad “I Have a Friend” featuring Gay's brother, Pastor Donald Gay.”

“These intimate in-the-studio sessions by three Windy City keyboard masters are just this side of heavenly. Old Gospel war-horses and original material penned by the participants are all given a thoughtful and lively workout. Some selections feature the organ and piano soaring together while others offer more subdued and pastoral introspection. Students of this particular genre of piano will want to study the solo piano work which stands out clearly and deserves undivided attention. … Both men [Jessy Dixon and Nash Shaffer Jr.] bring a lot of soul to the table but the star of this specific disc to these ears is Ms. Geraldine Gay. Known to Chi-town insiders as the Errol Garner of Gospel piano she is joined by her brother Donald and his son, Gregory, for four true gems. This lady is a certified monster of the eighty-eights. … this is some great stuff and the title of this compact disc couldn't be more correct.”

“… After many years of laying dormant the label [The Sirens] reactivated in 2002 and has issued some exceptional recordings since. They have another winner with “In the Right Hands,” a stirring and inspirational set that beautifully captures gospel keyboard masters Jessy Dixon, Geraldine Gay, and Nash Shaffer, Jr.”

“Another superb disc from Chicago's Sirens label, and the second gospel release in their catalog. Jessy Dixon hands in The Wicked Shall Cease From Their Troubling/ Hold On/ God Is Standing By/ He'll Fight My Blues with brilliant piano and soulful vocals, Geraldine Gay offers her piano on God Shall Wipe The Tears Away /I Have A Friend/

That's What I Like About Jesus/ How I Got Over/ I've Done My Work and Nash Shaffer's rippling organ works testifies on four. Other vocals are handled by Pastor Donald Gay and Gregory Gay Jr. while D'Artagnon Gunn's drumming is present on all and John Whitfield's bass sets the bottom on a pair. This is pure and simple gospel at its best.”