Gospel Crossroads

Denice Williams, whose biggest pop hit was the lively “Let’s Hear It for the Boy” in 1984, seems at a crossroads. Like Al Green before he joined the gospel field, Williams has always included a spiritual number in her secular R & B-pop albums.

Headlining Friday night’s Gospel America concert at the Greek Theatre, however, Williams made such impassioned remarks about the greater rewards of gospel music that you had to wonder how much longer she’ll try to fence-straddle.

Williams certainly has the vocal strength to compete in either field. Her a cappella version of “God Is Amazing,” a lovely, soul-stirring song that appeared on one of her secular LPs, was the evening’s highlight. But the poor audience turnout may have been a sobering reminder that the move from pop to gospel is a risky one commercially.

Hosted by Pat Boone, the program also featured former Heatwave singer Johnnie Wilder, who was left a quadriplegic after a 1979 auto accident. He received an especially warm response for his upbeat, celebratory approach. The bill also included Kim Boyce, a bubbly, if nondescript pop-accented singer, and the more commanding Imperials, a group that once toured with Elvis Presley.