Album Review: Elizabeth King — Living in the Last Days
It’s important that I admit this right up front: I’m not inclined toward the spiritual messages contained in gospel music. I’m not hostile toward them in any way; the whole thing is simply not for me. I mention this on background before discussing Elizabeth King’s new album, Living in the Last Days. For me to even consider reviewing such a title, the music has a higher climb to move me.
But this remarkable album does just that. The Sacred Soul Sound Section features some of Memphis’ best players: guitarist Will Sexton, drummer George Sluppick, and (credited among “additional players) Sluppick’s City Champs bandmate, keyboardist Al Gamble. Those musicians and the others on board embody the perfect balance of superb musicianship and Bluff City taste. By that brand of taste, I mean to get across the point that they are 100% in support of King, in the same way that Booker T & the M.G.’s, the Mar-Keys and Bar-Kays backed up classic soul and other artists in Memphis’ rich history.
Yet I don’t want to make too much of all that: Living in the Last Days is very much Elizabeth King’s show. Her deeply expressive and varied vocal style means that she can apply the right texture to each song. The 11 songs on this set were each hand-picked by the vocalist from the catalogs of storied gospel labels D-Vine Spirituals and Designer Records. And King also gets top-notch sacred soul support from two choruses: the Vaughn Sisters Vocals and The D-Vine Spiritualettes Vocals.
It all adds up to a soul-stirring musical experience that will move even the most agnostic listener. Recommended.
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4500-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he taught a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.