Persuaded - Live In DC
Richard Smallwood and Vision
Verity

"Persuaded" is Smallwood's second consecutive live album. His last, "Healing...Live In Detroit," earned him Dove Award in 2000 for Traditional Gospel Album. "Persuaded," was recorded live at Jericho City of Praise in Washington DC, and for the first time Smallwood enjoyed the support of a forty piece orchestra.

There is much musical diversity on "Persuaded" including Gospel, Classic Orchestra, and a little Latin twist in "Nothing Without Your Love". The addition of the orchestra emphasizes Smallwood's talent as a composer.

I spent some time listening to both "Healing" and "Persuaded", trying to determine what made "Persuaded" outshine the Dove Award winning "Healing." First my judgment was that the addition of the orchestra greatly enhanced an already award winning talent. Secondly I was moved when I read that Mabel Smallwood, mother of Richard Smallwood, was in attendance. This was meaningful because she had been suffering from health problems for the past five years and it was a blessing that she was able to attend. Her attendance will forever venerate this CD as she can be heard crying out in exaltation during "It Is Well With My Soul".

-Ken W.