Long Live Love is the twelfth studio album by American musician Kirk Franklin. RCA Inspiration, a division of RCA Records, alongside Fo Yo Soul Recordings released the album on May 31, 2019.Long Live Love iTunes It debuted at number-one on the US Top Gospel Albums chart, becoming his 13th release to top the chart, with 20,000 equivalent album units earned in its first week. With this, Franklin became the first artist to simultaneously top all five Billboard gospel charts: Top Gospel Albums, Hot Gospel Songs, Gospel Airplay, Gospel Streaming Songs and Gospel Digital Song Sales.
The album won two Grammys at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards: Best Gospel Album while the single "Love Theory" won Best Gospel Song.Kirk Franklin Wins Best Gospel Performance/Song | 2020 GRAMMYsGrammys 2020: Best Gospel Album goes to Kirk Franklin for 'Long Live Love'
Background Following the release of the first single, "Love Theory", the title of the album was announced in March 2019 along with its release date and an upcoming tour in support of the album.
Critical reception
Timothy Yap of Hallels.com gave the album a positive review, rating the album 4 stars out of 5. In his review he said "It canvasses a plethora of topics from social hatred to idolatry to the Cross. It exposes us to all sub-genres of Gospel music from old school choir to soul-massaging ballads. In short, this album contains everything we love about Franklin."
Track listing *All songs written by Kirk Franklin*
Personnel
Musicians Kirk Franklin: Keyboards Shaun Martin: Keyboards, Programming, Additional Keyboards Mark Lettieri: Guitar Kermit Wells: Hammond B-3 Matthew Ramsey: Bass Caziah Franklin: Drums Maxwell Stark: Programming Johnnie Murray: Guitar Mike Bereal: Hammond B-3 Keith Taylor: Bass Terry Baker: Drums Philip Lassiter: Trumpet Doug DeHays: Saxophone Erik Hughes: Trombone
Vocalists Anaysha Figueroa Charmaine Broome Melodie Rose Amber Bullock Darian Yancey Minon Sarten Emerald Boyd Sharon Willingham Deon Yancey Eric Dawkins Isaac Carree Michael Bethany
Charts Chart (2019) PeakpositionUK Christian & Gospel Albums (OCC)3
References