Nobody introduced more astonishing vocalists to gospel music than Andrae Crouch – including Linda McCrary, Kathy Hazzard, Danniebelle, Alfie Silas Durio, Pattie Howard, and... Kristle Murden. Kristle’s coloratura soprano has graced literally hundreds of LPs, TV and movie soundtracks– and yes, that’s Kristle on “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” on the Lion King soundtrack.
For her first solo LP, Kristle was supported by producers Andrae and Bill Maxwell, all of Andrae’s Disciples, and a host of top L.A. session musicians. The result – Kristle – was released on Light Records in 1980. It was an immediate hit and was nominated for two Grammy awards.
Andrae and Bill were influenced by Steely Dan and Diana Ross’s releases from the early 1980s and you can hear it here... shimmering pop confections, under-girded by a sturdy, funky rhythm section. But the real star is Kristle’s unearthly soprano. One of my favorite tracks is the title song – something that would have been right at home on Casey Kasem’s Top 40 in 1980, even with the out-front evangelical lyrics.
MUSIC: “I Can’t Let Go,” Kristle Murden LP, Kristle, Side 2, Track 1
I’m Robert Darden … “Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments” is produced by KWBU, the Black Gospel Music Restoration Project at Baylor University Libraries and is funded by generous support from the Prichard Foundation.