Finale, Act II kicks off with the radio single 'The Blessing of Abraham'. This promotional gesture is done just in case the buyer happens to buy only the second installment of the Finale. Why would someone do this? I have no idea. Especially if you are a true Donald Lawrence and Tri-City Singers follower. If you're not, get ready, you will be after listening to this pumping cut.

Sheri Jones-Moffett of the famous singing duo Ted & Sheri lends her amazing soprano vocals to the song 'Encourage Yourself'. This song simply reminds the listener, that sometimes you have to stop waiting for others to say a kind word to you. Get up and encourage your ownself in the Lord. If you don't leave this song feeling encouraged, check your pulse to make sure you are still alive :-)

The song 'God Is' is introduced by Donald Lawrence and then DeWayne Woods steps up to give his own testimony. Woods give his amazing testimony of how God healed him of HIV before he even lays down his powerful vocals to this song. The lyrics 'God is the strength of my life' strikes the listener right in the heart over and over again. 'God Is' whatever you need Him to be. Amen.

Donald Lawrence made sure that this Finale would be memorable beyond compare. He introduces the song 'Matthew 28' originally written by the late choir master Benny Cummings from the East Coast. This song is what we call old school choir 'sanging'. No drum machines, no gadgets, no electronics, just plain ole choir vocals. The lyrics 'He is Not Here, for He has risen as He said' takes our minds back to the tomb where they lay our Savior. On the morning of the 3rd day, the angel of the Lord asked Mary and Martha why are you here looking for the living among the dead? He is Risen! Every church choir from coast to coast worth its salt will be trying this one on Easter Sunday morning, trust me.

Next up is the heavy hitting 'Better' featuring The Murrills. This song was first featured on Donald's solo project 'I Speak Life'. Just as I thought that this song couldn't get any better than that, they bring it to the listener raw and live. The listener is encouraged to continue on in this Christian walk because 'What's to Come is Better Than What's Been.'

'God's Favor' originally featuring Kelly Price, Kim Burrell & Karen Clark-Sheard is revisited here with LeJuene Thompson, Sheri Jones-Moffett and Blanche McAllister. Simply put, God's favor is more precious than life.

The Tri-City medleys return here beginning with the timeless classic 'When The Saints Go To Worship' lead by Erica McCullough. You can feel the anointing in this one for sure. 'The Prayer of Jabez - Bless Me' featuring the rich vocals of Sharla Byrd and the dramatic orchestra along with the choir bring the listener into the presence of the King asking him to enlarge our territories. Powerhouse vocalist LaShun Pace adds to the song 'And Yet I'm Still Saved'. The choir and Pace add such conviction to this song as we are encouraged that no matter what we have gone through, we are still saved, not my our own power or by our own strength, but by God's goodness. Donald Lawrence and Bishop Walter Hawkins come back together to lend their vocals to the beautiful ballad 'Seasons'. They ask the listener to not give up, but walk into your season because the wait is over. HALLELUJAH!

As if the numerous tracks on this cd offering are not enough to keep the listener encouraged, Donald Lawrence brings in the unmistakable voices of Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Darwin Hobbs and Karen Clark-Sheard on the simple yet profound chorus 'It's Your Time'. If this doesn't encourage even the most discouraged listener, I don't know what else will. The vocalists add their own undeniable sound and anointing to their few minutes on this cut. Be encouraged my brother and my sister, it truly is your time.

To round out this offering, 'The Best is Yet to Come' is brought back as to say to the listener, even though this is our 'finale' it really is just the beginning.

After realizing that this is truly the 'Finale' for one of gospel's premier choirs, I should be sad. Then tell me why I feel so encouraged and spiritually strong. I guess as Donald Lawrence has said over and over again in each of his interviews, this is the ending of one chapter and at the same time the beginning of another. I guarantee you that both Act I and Act II will speak to your spiritual man and find you at whatever state you are in. If it's worship, upliftment or just a good ole fashioned dance you are looking for, these two cds will supply them for you and more.

I give these cds 5 out of 5 stars