Dorinda Clark-Cole

Gospocentric

One quarter of the original dynamic Clark Sisters is a cup-full and overflowing! Beloved member of the world famous group, bearer of the torch and carrier of the legacy left behind by the Matriarch of Gospel Music, her mother, Mattie Moss Clark, Dorinda Clark-Cole is on the fast track to success as a solo artist.

Having long labored in the field overshadowed by her sisters Twinkie, (who released her solo debut in 1979) and Karen (who’s acclaimed solo release on Island Black Music in 1997 catapulted her to the forefront of gospel), Dorinda followed the footsteps of her mother. As Vice president of the International Music Department of the Church of God in Christ (COGIC IMD), Minister of Music for the COGIC choir (Mattie was President of the COGIC IMD for 25 years), Dorinda has served faithfully for many years. She’s served as Administrator and Instructor at the Clark Conservatory of Music in Detroit (founded by Mattie) as well as Founder and President of the Singers and Musicians Conference (like her mother before her who was the first to teach three-part harmony to a choir). Dorinda has been a preacher of the gospel at numerous revivals, prayer breakfasts, youth programs, conferences and events.

Having been faithful in a few things, God has made her ruler over many and she now makes a bold and remarkable step into the solo artist arena. Her remarkable gifting to write, deliver the vocal goods and minister in power will cause you to wonder why we’ve waited so long to hear from her. Supported by her musical team of producers - Cousin J. Moss with PAJAM and Asaph Ward, she presents a collection of songs that bring out the epitome of what the world has always recognized as the “Clark Sisters” signature.

One might easily mistake Dorinda and Karen vocally. Definitely similarities do abound. But the key to telling them apart is that Dorinda’s voice has a raspier and jazzier quality than Karen’s more piercing lilt. Dorinda’s definitive voice reflects her warrior persona, and her songs describe how she conquered. Her weapons of warfare are not carnal, they’re musical. In this project, she demonstrates how to wield the sword of the Word, how to use the eyes of the spirit to see angels, how to war with hands and feet, how to know when to stand still and keep standing.

Off the top, she gives glory to God for looking out for her; If It Had Not Been for the Lord, is a crisp, slick, upbeat production, with tight vocal harmonies. A radio-friendly track, it attests to the fact that Dorinda Clark-Cole is no ordinary debut artist.

No Not One, written by elder sister Twinkie Clark and J. Moss, weaves in the Clark Sisters classic I’ve Got An Angel from their 1986 Hit Recording “Heart & Soul”. It’s only fitting then that Karen should join her sister on this track. Although Karen shadows Dorinda, her unmistakable voice shines through brilliantly.

I’m Coming Out immediately recalls another Detroit native and famous artist’s song by the same name. But that’s where the similarities end. This is the sanctified titled version. Dorinda has written a slammin’ jam and she struts her vocal stuff with her hands up!

Dorinda is a multi-faceted, multi-talented woman of God. Having sung with her trailblazing sisters, breaking new musical ground decades before other artists, she bears the marks of all the influences she’s received and given. Evidently her mother has been her biggest influence as evidenced by the wealth of traditional material on her project. You Can’t Take My Joy is the first shining example of many. Listening to this carefully, one can only hear in the mind, the vocals of Daryl Coley scatting and scaling along with Dorinda. We’ll await that for the next project. You Can’t Hurry God, another traditional gem captures Dorinda’s dazzling signature licks, wails, scats, scales, calisthenics and takes it on home.

Track six: Show Me The Way is obviously the way things are going to be done with the Clark Sisters. As with “Finally Karen”, the Clark Sisters reprise their urban contemporary act. Step-out performances by Twinkie, Karen, Jackie and Dorinda treat the fans to the reason why they are imitated the world over.

Every track on this project is repeatable. Dorinda automates it for us on a couple of cuts (I’m Coming Out and You Don’t Have to Leave Here are reprised). Each performance is standout, and Dorinda’s enthusiasm, emotion and devotion to God on tracks like the traditional bounce Nobody Like Jesus, urban jams It’s Not Me and You Can and testimonial ballad I’m Still Here is infective. Funky groove-laden hidden track Need Him produced by PAJAM is Dorinda’s exhortational counterclaim to the events of 9-11.

Multi-dimensional is the expression that best describes Dorinda. She’s a funky, cutting-edge urban, traditional, pop and R&B princess of the Gospel. Her diverse gifting in ministry is evident. But she didn’t come by it lightly. A price has been paid, disappointments, sickness, struggles, trials and challenges have been faced, battles fought and victories won. She’s emerged from the dusty perimeter to take her rightful place front row and center among the Shirley Caesars, Dottie Peoples, Yolanda Adams and Mary Marys of today. One thing I’ve learned is that God is a faithful God. And because He’s faithful, he expects and rewards us when we are faithful. Dorinda’s long overdue debut project is testament to that faithfulness of a loving Father. It is His faithfulness that now brings her complete package into public focus, and by the grace of God, she’ll still be here to minister to us for a long time to come.

Reviewed by: Kathy Grant

Feedback: Kathy@kathyrant.org