Westword called the album a mostly successful attempt "to infuse creative jazz with a heavy dose of spirituality."
The Washington Post wrote that "Tuesday Night Prayer Meeting" "boasts an infectious melody and has Allen sounding like a whole church full of hand-clapping worshipers."
The Globe and Mail stated that Allen "explores the hidden and not-so-hidden connections between gospel music and hard bop."
The New York Times deemed
Testimonial "a religious concept album" on which "everyone is reluctant to relinquish his be-bop cool."
AllMusic wrote that there's "nothing in particular wrong with the music, which is heartily played and deeply felt ... except for the fact that it's covering ground that's been pretty much trampled into dust." ==Track listing==