Hints of Hawkins’ Greatness

Though hardly a household name, Tramaine Hawkins is revered within the gospel world as the queen of that genre. Her glorious voice has exceptional range and is as emotion-packed as any you’ll ever hear. With a delivery that’s passionate yet full of subtleties and tenderness, she routinely drives audiences to tears.

But there were only hints of her greatness in the gospel benefit show she headlined on Friday at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. This was largely a showcase for huge gospel choirs. Hawkins sang solos with their support in the last half-hour of the spirited, moving show, and while she had a few moments of soaring passion, she was more subdued than usual in this format.

Andrae and Sandra Crouch opened the show, but the bulk of the two-hour concert consisted of short, rousing sets by some marvelous Los Angeles gospel choirs, including the First A.M.E. Unity Choir, the C.M.E. Community Choir, the Faithful Central M.B. Voices of Faith and the West Angeles Church of God in Christ Mass Choir. The event, which raised money for the hunger relief organizations Bread for Los Angeles and Bread for the World Institute, ended festively, with all the choirs and guest stars packing the stage for a roof-rattling version of “Oh Happy Day.”