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Review Of
VICTORY: LIVE
Tye Tribbett & G.A.

May, 2006 on BlackGospel.com, Review by Jennifer Belot

There is clearly special significance and meaning behind the recording and the naming of Tye Tribbett & GA’s sophomore album entitled, Victory Live. It is a testament to Mr. Tribbett and his crew of choral crusaders overcoming what has been a tumultuous year filled with its share of euphoric highs and debilitating lows.

First came the mega-success of their debut release, Life, which created an industry buzz and public adoration perhaps not seen since the appearance of Kirk Franklin & The Family in the 90s. Their was something so fresh yet so impetuous about Life, that forced audiences to sit up an take notice of the slender, hyperactive, preppy looking Tye Tribbett and his equally dapper ensemble choir Greater Anointing. From the prestigious stage of the Kodiak Theatre to the skating rink of Brooklyn, Tye Tribbett & GA had definitely left an indelible impression with audiences everywhere.

However tragedy struck hard when on the eve of their first concert in Montreal Canada, the grievous news came. Too young, too gifted and too soon, Dr. Kenneth Levar Riddle, the inspiration behind many of the choir’s trademark choreography, passed away in a car accident in the late summer of last year.

But united in their tears as well as in their smiles, they soldiered on and proved to the enemy that nothing was going to keep them down. Victory then is much more than a fitting title to this project; it is a confirmation. It is an affirmation. It is divine declaration of the conqueror.

”We represent the kingdom of God!” is the sanctified statement that introduces Tye Tribbett and GA’s reemergence unto the scene as they proceed to rock out to the electric guitar twanging and pounding percussions of I Want It All Back. The words of Matthew 11:12 “the kingdom suffers violence but the violent take it by force” are brought to life as the vehement voices of GA announce their battle cry.

Track Listing

1. Intro
2. I Want It All Back
3. Bless the Lord
4. Hallelujah to Your Name
5. Everything Will Be Alright
6. Everything Will Be Alright (Reprise)
7. G.A. Hymn (Who Else But God)
8. Seated at the Right Hand
9. No Other Choice
10. Sinking
11. Still Have Joy
12. 1-2
13. Victory
14. Victory Outro
15. Everything Pt. 1 & 2/Bow Before the King

Taking it back to a more traditional sound is a collection of mid-tempo songs including the well-known hymn, Bless The Lord done with familiar GA fervor, then ending on a jazzy Latin groove. A highland flute takes the CCM classic Hallelujah To Your Name to new heights, as the praisers become worshipers with resounding hallelujah choruses on their every breath. James Hall-ish vocal arrangements give a regal air to Everything Will Be Alright while Everything Part 1&2 / Bow Before The King, an instant classic from their debut project, is given new life.

Quiet assurance of the presence of God gives way to the GA Hymn (Who Else But God), an acoustic piece which showcases the vocal talents of featured soloists Aaron and Angie as they worshipfully declare God’s magnificence in complimentary melodious tones.

Inspired by the passing of a beloved uncle and of “Doc”, No Other Choice speaks of the need to worship and celebrate God no matter the circumstances of life.

Sinking is more a testament to Tribbett’s greater anointing as a minister of the Word than to his musical talents, as he bathes listeners with a sampling of the divine wisdom, while the cadenced vocals of the choir confidently avow “God’s been so good to me!”

With the syncopations of percussions and the heavy humming of the organ, Still Have Joy is a celebratory hymn of the joy and peace that surpasses rational understanding as mirrored in the lyrics “…after all that I’ve been through I still have joy…”

Victory, the title track is the epilogue where No Way (from the previous album) was the prologue. With similar musical underpinnings, this is a continuation of the GA Chant, sung with elated nonconformity that spans the musical spectrum from rollicking rock anthem to gung-ho gospel grooves, all coming together for an infectious sound sure to propel them to the top of the gospel charts once again

Tye Tribbett and Greater Anointing have overcome nay-sayers, negative circumstances and threats of the enemy to emerge victorious. Where LIFE dealt with the various circumstances of a person’s journey, VICTORY is really a celebration of life and of triumph over the enemy. This is a holy war, being fought for the vestiges of our souls, but Tye Tribbett and Greater Anointing have come to remind you and I “…no matter how your situation starts it has to end in victory. You’ve got victory! You’ve got victory! You’ve got victory!”