Dynamic actress/singer Melba Moore is back, as her latest release, The Gift of Love, confirms. And she’ll be here performing at the Circle of Support Gala at The Sheldon this month to help Community Women Against Hardship celebrate, while raising funds to empower and support deserving single parents and their families.
No stranger to struggle, Moore burst onto the scene with a starring role in the musical Hair; and despite being a Tony, Theater World and Drama Desk awardee, a multiple Grammy nominee, and making intermittent TV appearances – including two short-lived shows of her own – she was also plagued by personal and financial disasters.
Amidst all the drama, however, she held on, became a born-again Christian, and determined to give back.
From the last phrase on her New York phone message: “Praise the Lord,” it’s clear that Melba Moore is saved. During our conversation, she spoke genuinely and repeatedly of “how I want to give back to God”; yet she was never overbearing or proselytizing.
Known primarily as an R&B singer, Moore has expanded her focus to the gospel realm.
She said, “I’ve had such a struggle to re-direct myself. I need to find out who I am as an artist. We let God re-create us.”
In 2004, she recorded the album Nobody But Jesus, and the ever-dazzling lyric soprano revealed that to perform “means that my life is worthwhile.” Her comments were insightful, reverent and at times funny, but her sincerity – especially concerning her faith – was unmistakable.
Melba’s acting skills have not laid dormant either. In 2003, she combined her vocal and acting talents for a featured role in the film The Fighting Temptations, which starred Cuba Gooding Jr. and Beyonce Knowles. She disclosed that recently “quite a few things have been offered.”
One can feel the spiritual fire in her remarkable four-octave range on the new joint, with a sound at once soothing and uplifting – a timbre from a place deep down within that swells to joyful heights. She confided that her range has expanded, both up and down, with maturity.
Her incredible resilience is exemplified in her current offering, where she pairs with East St. Louis’ beloved Phil Perry – an accomplished falsetto for many years. The Gift of Love is an 11-track blend of familiar standards – “You’re All I Need To Get By,” “I Believe,” “Sadie” – and some lesser known nuggets, including the opener, “Optimistic.”
As for sales of the CD, she said, “People are buying it off the hook!”
The two obviously bonded on this project — their mutual empathy speaks through their musical collaboration as much as in their praise of each other. For instance, she told me that Phil is “just amazing, sweet. We’re sympathetic. I think that’s God.”
Perry, in the liner notes, expounded: “To Melba Moore – thanks to you I’ve become a much better singer and a more insightful human being. You are an amazing person.”
They also gave big props to musician/producer Chris “Big Dog” Davis. Melba remarked, “That man is no joke.”
Moore is due to start pitching her autobiography in early 2010. In addition, she is planning to tour with Perry next spring – but I can’t wait to enjoy her as the only singer onstage. Those wonderful pipes have remained pure and powerful over the years. Seeing her at The Sheldon is certain to be an awesome experience.
Melba Moore appears at The Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Blvd., Sunday, October 25. Tickets are available at CWAH (3963 West Belle Place) or by calling (314) 289-7523 or (314) 534-1111.
