1/20/07 American Idol? At the Detroit Auto Show? This dynamic vocalist is far beyond that stage By ALAN GELL Music Review Marlon and I had just arrived in Detroit for the North American Auto Show. We made arrangements for a limo to take us to the hotel. Little did I know I would meet a renowned Gospel vocalist, acting as the limo driver. During my brief stay in Detroit, I found out a lot more about this special singer and her background. Pat Cofield is due to release her first CD the spring of 2007, but I was privileged to receive a sample CD of three of her hymns.

When you first hear Pat’s voice in one of her songs, you immediately recognize that this is a trained and experienced performer. She is not only powerful in her performance, but soul-ful at the same time. More often than not, gospel singers who sing the “soul” style will take a one syllable word and turn it into 10 syllable over a span of three octaves in the scale. The musicians hold a note out longer than necessary, waiting on the singer to decide when to move on to the next word or note. Not Pat Cofield. She has just the right amount of soul in her presentation without losing her audience. Obviously, some people prefer words drawn out, but the average person likes the presentation as a whole to reflect something to the listener.

Pat performs the well-known hymn, “More Than Wonderful” with the right amount of rhythm, delays, and more, with an up-beat orchestra backing her. The famous, “How Great Thou Art” doesn’t resemble George Beverly Shea’s renditions at Billy Graham crusades, but Pat holds to the theme and pushes the verses and meanings out well. The “Lord’s Prayer”, heard so often at weddings, was drawn out the most, and although the sound was terrific, the presentation was much too slow. I got lost and distracted about halfway through the song.

There are many gospel singers, and a lot of them produce their own CD’s. What is it that makes Pat Cofield stand out? It’s at the conclusion of her hymns. They don’t quite end. The listener is already lifted to a realm of worship when Pat sings, past the simple listening stage. Then, Pat moves easily into a full praise and worship conclusion at the end of the song. It only takes a few extra minutes, but I found myself being transformed from the place I was located into a thought of being with a band of angels, praising and worshiping God. Pat served as the lead angel in this transformation.

Pat’s voice isn’t sweet and sugary, nor is it husky and pushy. It’s just the right amount of blend of a confident, dynamic singer that can belt it out or quieten it down as needed.

Pat Cofield is well-known in the Detroit area, but has traveled throughout the United States, appearaing in churches, concert halls, and theaters. She has been singing since she was 5 years old, with her family, “The Cofield Family Singers,” which included mom, dad, three sisters, and a brother. Pat has made many live appearances on Detroit’s Gospel radio station WCHB. She shared the stage with Sammy Davis Jr at the 1972 Republican Convention in Miami.

Pat Cofield can be reached at pcofield@peoplepc.com for information on her being available for performances, guest appearances, or in several months where her CD becomes available.