(PITTSFIELD, Mass., March 29, 1998) -- Vernon Jones came to the Berkshire Museum on Saturday night "to sing praises to our God," he said. Judging from the response from a majority of the small but enthusiastic audience in attendance, most came prepared to be swept up by Jones's paeans to his God, the Christian savior Jesus, in what turned out to be as much a prayer meeting as a concert.

Backed by three vocalists, a pianist and a drummer, in what was apparently a truncated version of the 12-member World of Gospel Choir, Jones took it to church with his rousing song-prayers and testifying, on jazzy marches like "Oh Happy Day" and more contemplative ballads such as "Order My Steps In Your World."

His choir on the one hand and the audience on the other joined Jones in a series of call-and-response-style numbers, echoing his fervent praises and egging on the preacher to greater heights of ecstasy.

Jones boasted a wonderfully supple and smooth voice, capable of great power and force. Likewise his choir-mates, particularly the two women, were skilled at the syllable-stretching, gospel art of melismas.

Unfortunately, as with previous concerts at the museum featuring vocalists, the p.a. system was not up to the task of handling the dynamics. Every time a singer would hit a loud note or a high note, the sound through the speakers -- already mixed too high -- would clip or distort, rendering it all but inaudible.

In fact, the most exquisite moments of the evening were when Jones lowered his microphone and just let his booming voice ring out into the auditorium. There just might have been God in those notes.

[This review originally appeared in the Berkshire Eagle on March 31, 1998. Copyright Seth Rogovoy 1998. All rights reserved.]