Bishop Leonard Scott - Live From Alabama

By Peggy Oliver

As a dentist, Dr. Leonard Scott enjoyed enhancing smiles. As a minister, Bishop Leonard Scott thrives on seeing smiles on newborn Christians. The founder of Tyscot Records, celebrating thirty years as the oldest independently black-owned Gospel label, heads to New Hope Baptist Church in Birmingham for the latest CD, Hymns & Church Songs-Live From Alabama. Music played a major role in Scott’s life as a versatile instrumentalist (woodwinds and guitars) and vocalist.

While attending Indiana State, he hooked with a funk band, The Soul Messengers. Studying dentistry, raising a family, and the gigs would take its toll. Eventually the Lord interceded and Scott surrendered his life plus devoting the music totally to the Gospel.

In 1976, Tyscot Records, named after Scott and Minister Craig Tyson from Christ Temple Apostolic Faith Church in Indianapolis, Indiana, originated with mostly regional quartets and choirs. The roster then grew from Detroit’s Derrick Brinkley to Chicago’s Bishop Larry Trotter & Sweet Holy Spirit. Some of Scott’s recordings have been fueled by revered worshippers like pastor Gary Oliver and Morris Chapman. Along with music, Scott and his wife formed Rock Community Church in 2000, and serves on the board of directors at Aenon Bible College.

Eight plus minutes of jam-packed, foot-stomping pure adoration launches the project with the Pentecostal Praise Medley: I Don’t Mind Giving God The Praise, Praise The Lord Everybody, One Day, Living, and He Loved Me.

With Caribbean undertones, the first of two Scott’s originals, Sing Unto The Lord, finds the congregation in a sing off with the choir declaring: “He’s done marvelous things” (Revelation 15:3).

Bless The Lord O My Soul, also written by Scott, is blessed to death with soloist Haley Mitchell’s praise skyrockets. Chronicling the resurrection, He Arose slowly builds tension up to the rolling of the stone. Belinda George-Peoples from the host choir leads the triumph rant.

My Body Belongs To God, about our bodies being temples of the Lord (1 Corinthians 6:19), throws in a double treat, Since I Laid My Burdens Down. The effervescent Lillian Lilly, an original member of Mississippi Mass Choir, and company stake their claim in the name of Jesus for healing and financial bondage during Jesus Keep Me Near The Cross.

Elder Jamal Strong (Message Ministry in Music Conference), with his rich tenor, leads the worshippers in a bound of glory for He Is Lord.

Leaning on His will, A Charge To Keep I Have has the church building stirring with Janie Jenkins’ spunky delivery. Bishop Scott’s First Lady, Christine’s touching rendition of Great Is Thy Faithfulness, causes us to think about our humility.

Blessed Assurance, anchored by the soulful LaChelle Kelly, slowly grinds its way to a Gospel romp. Can we get a final amen? No problem. Scott and Prince Yelder dig their claws in on Curtis Mayfield’s Amen (co-written by John Pate).

Under the direction and on-point arrangements of Minister Velder from the group DFC, New Hope Baptist Choir along with members of DFC, holds their own with precious embellishments and assured harmonies. With the exception of Sing Unto The King, the first radio single, there’s old-fashioned, riveting church service without modern day production gimmicks. Kudos to Bishop Scott for Hymns & Church Songs, rekindling a piece of Christian music history, a big dose of spiritual refreshment, and smiles all the way around.