Part Donny
Hathaway, part Kirk Franklin, all soul and love, Tony
Saunders invokes the nothing less than the mighty spirit
Himself on "He Lifted Me Up," his
first, but certainly not his last, gospel album.
-- Joel Selvin
Senior Pop Music Critic San Francisco Chronicle
This album celebrates The
Love for the Lord. Tony Saunders has long been an acclaimed
Bass player, Music Producer, Film and TV Composer and
Community advocate for children's learning. He has always
worked with gospel Artist. His love for the Lord has
reached new heights with his continued devotion at church
and the release of his first gospel CD "He Lifted Me Up".
Tony's credits in Gospel music are many and he points
to his time with the Hawkins Family as his favorite Gospel
experience. When we say the Hawkins family not only does
that include Walter, Ed and Tramaine it includes touring
and being around Andre Crouch, James Cleveland, The Clarke
sisters and Shirley Caesar just to name a few. Tony says
that although it took him a while to feel this conviction
for the Lord and release this Cd he has always been deeply
rooted in Gospel music.
On this Cd Tony took the Quincy Jones approach and used
singers that he had always wanted to work with or he had
previously produced a project involving them and formed
the core of this project. Tony wrote the material with
them on eight of the nine songs. Tony also used his favorite
drummer Joel Smith and keyboardist Syvestor Burks. Both
of them have played on The Hawkins family, Kim Burrell,
Yolanda Adams, John P Kee and TD Jakes just to name a few.
Tony says that he was driving from LA going home when the
first song for the album came to him. The melody for He
Lifted Me up came to him on that drive and the next six
weeks were some of the most blessed he has had in his life.
On the Cd he used:
Alfreda Lyons-Campbell
This Female vocalist was the featured vocalist on the GMWA's
Experience CD where she sang the opening song. She has
been singing for 25 years and works with Tony at their
church where she is the Minister of Music. Her Love for
Jesus is why she sings and she has opened concerts for
Yolanda Adams to rave reviews. Tony has worked with her
on numerous project and says the first time he heard
her sing I knew she was anointed and has used her on
projects ever since.
Derick Hughes
Derick has been singing since he was 8. The Lord has saved
his life and done so many thing that Derick could not
do on his own that he truly has been lifted up. Tony
has always liked Derick's singing as they have past each
other doing sessions and shows although never together
until now. Derick has played with Sandra crouch, John
P Kee and James Cleveland just to name a few as well
as appearing in many Christian play around the states.
The Hartfield Family
Tony Has produced their last two CD's the last one being
Paradise In The Valley. I love their blend and David,
Bob and Chauncey have blessed many projects for Tony.
The three of them work well for me in the studio and
the freedom they have allowed me in producing has added
so much to all the projects the have contributed to.
God has taken time out and entered the studio many days
as the gospel greats have broke bread, shared tears and
joys and kept the Lord's work moving forward so it can
be heard.
Tony has been amazed at the great reception this Cd has
been receiving. I do know that he has to let the Lord have
his way. This CD has a story and a testimony. God wants
the world to hear it and it shall be done. |
