Karen E. Hylton - Here’s One

By Peggy Oliver

St. Louis is home to the 2006 baseball champions of the world, St. Louis Cardinals, and part of America’s Music Corridor which links tours of music icons including Ragtime pianist/composer Scott Joplin.

Karen E. Hylton also calls the multi-historical city home and has stood in front of many audiences for over two decades. With theater, classical, and gospel on an extensive musical resume, her debut recording, Here’s One, displays her love of Christ while demonstrating her skills in all those musical genres. Even though Hylton sometimes tours outside her home base, she’s primarily in the greater STL area, and best known as a member of St. Louis’s Symphony’s In Unison Chorus.

One of Hylton’s greatest moments was honoring opera legend, St. Louis-born Grace Bumbry. Besides voice, she graduated with a B.A. in Journalism and English from Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Missouri. She also participated with the GMWA (Gospel Music Workshop of America) St. Louis/East St. Louis chapter, and opened locally for Earth Wind & Fire.

The CD opens with high energy, I Will Bless The Lord ponders on His goodness. Lord I Give You Praise achieves the same desire, this time through her dependable lyric soprano voice. Watch out for that penetrating high note at the climax.

The very inspiring In This Very Room was actually played in the movie, Hoop Dreams and sung by many artists. In this version, Hylton satisfactorily communicates the aura: “quite enough hope, quite enough power.”

Spotlighting Hylton’s songwriting ability, All Things Are Possible for those believe (Mark 9:23) exercises the deft lead and backing voices, including some swinging horn licks.

Song of Trust passes on lyrical food for thought: “I’ll trust You when I don’t agree. Orchestrations mixing woodwinds and strings are framed fragilely by guitarist Jonathan DuBose Jr.

Another gospel bouncer, My Sovereign King leans on His understanding: “You don’t need any help from me, but I need help from You.” Into the realm of the spiritual, the title track delivers the essential message with just piano and Hylton’s lead: “Ever since I heard the Gospel Story, I’ve been walking on the road to glory.” Just A Closer Walk With Thee receives a reconstruction, dressed up with jazz sass.