Inside Solange’s Three-Night ‘Eldorado Ballroom’ Experience: Recap

Night Three – Glory to Glory: A Revival For Spiritual and Devotional Art

The third and final night of Eldorado Ballroom was a “revival for spiritual and devotional art.” Let us be the first to tell you the saints that the anointing was omnipresent.

Featuring performances by GMWA Women Of Worship Choir, organist Dominique Johnson, singer Moses Sumney, pianist Artina McCain, and choir conductor Malcom Merriweather, this was nothing but hours and hours of praise and worship.

It was evident that this night was the one she was most excited about. On Instagram, Solange wrote, “I hold this show so near and dear because it showcases the breadth and nuance of what spiritual and praise and worship music can be, and I feel so in devotion to all the many moments these works have found me in both my darkest hours and my highest moments of joy. I feel closest to myself when I feel closest to God and music is the pathway that open all the doors to the divine for meeee.”

McCain and Merriweather performed the choral and piano works of the late Mary Lou Williams. Her album, Mass Black Christ of the Andes, was created after a lengthy hiatus. Yet, per Solange, “Ms Mary said make it holy, but make it still knock, still very dissonant, still very complex, very strange, very stunning.”

Coincidentally, the entire evening can be described as such.

Johnson made history as the first Black woman to play the pipe organ at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, but no one moment from the show was taken for granted. From the moment she sat down and kicked off her shoes, she let the Spirit lead her. “As I minister, the room’s distractions dissipate, leaving me with a profound sense of intimacy and vulnerability in my relationship with God,” she noted to VIBE of where she goes mentally when performing.

Adding, “It’s akin to engaging in a heart-to-heart conversation with the Father. While playing, I often imagine laying my head on Jesus’ lap, confiding in Him about my troubles. At times, I shift into a space of worship and adoration, conveying my deepest gratitude to God.”

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She also gave Solange her flowers for merging the secular and the sacred. “Generally, gospel and secular music occupy separate platforms, yet Solange’s strategic move to bring gospel music to a secular audience is a stroke of genius!” said Johnson.

Sumney represented for all preachers’ kids. “I grew up in church and my dad said I would sing gospel one day,” he laughed mid-performance, reflecting on his upbringing. “God had a different plan.”

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMyRfIpNvPs?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281]

He later explained, “I never thought I’d developed what I would call ‘gospel chops’ [meaning] a certain range and modal dexterity with vocal runs.” Despite his insecurity, he credited Eldorado and Solange for opening something for him. “It was perhaps healing, even, to be so embraced by people who love gospel music. I do think of my music as spiritual, across the board.”

The standout rendition was “Doomed,” which is lyrically a conversation with God. His soul-stirring rifts and chilling runs felt divine.

When Solange first shared that the GMWA Women Of Worship would be performing the iconic hymn, “Order My Steps,” she wrote, “I don’t want nan of yall even looking my way.” In addition to it being an “obvious gospel legendaric classic” as dubbed by the Seat At The Table singer, she explained that Glenn Edward Burleigh composed it in Houston, and “had a history of incorporating classical & opera idioms with Black American blues and jazz.” She added, “This song is the embodiment of what I am trying to achieve with ‘Glory To Glory.’”

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmzCyxHIYoI?feature=oembed&w=500&h=375]

This was the song that had everyone on their feet. It’s a communal anthem. Too sacred to be disturbed anything beyond praise, the glory was cemented in that moment. The GMWA Women Of Worship then led a medley of hits including “When I Get Home,” “There Is No Way,” and “Total Praise.”

Solange concluded the three-night program by thanking all of the “phenomenal artists who shared their gifts with us.” She continued, “I just feel so seen and supported.” She specifically called out Mary Mary’s Erica Campbell and all of the “innovators of gospel and spiritual music,” reiterating her belief that music is the “divine pathway to God.”