December 2013

Various ArtistsThe Best of Federal GospelAvailable at www.crystalballrecords.com(US) or www.bim-bam.com (UK)By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel BlogNestled in Cincinnati, Ohio, which abuts the border between the North and South, Syd Nathan’s King Records was positioned perfectly to capture the diverse musical palette of post-war America.That included gospel music, as Galen [...]

“Vessel”Ronnette HarrisonFrom the forthcoming album Journey (release scheduled for 2014)www.theronnetteharrison.comMaryland-based singer, musician, and songwriter Ronnette Harrison wraps her crystal clear chops around this P&W-style ballad about serving as a living vessel of God’s will.  The quality of her expansive voice is what makes this single soar.A music education major from [...]

“He’s the Master” Duranice Pace From the EP Just Duranice (released December 3, 2013) www.duranicepace.org Earlier this month, Duranice Pace of the gospel singing group the Anointed Pace Sisters released a solo EP.   The single, “He’s the Master,” bounces along with handclaps and bubbly synth, but it’s Pace’s confident, evangelistic [...]

Twinkie ClarkLive and Unplugged (CD/DVD)Larry Clark Music (2013)www.larryclarkgospel.comBy Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel BlogLive and Unplugged is an intimate gospel music performance by Elbernita “Twinkie” Clark and a small band of musicians.  Recorded at Detroit’s Charles H. Wright African American Museum on July 21, 2012, the CD and accompanying [...]

“Chestnuts Roasting”Charles the Artist From Cadillac James Presents “A Christmas Showcase”From Warner Robins, Georgia, Charles the Artist (aka Charles Jones) is a gospel singer who offers a toasty-as-a-winter-fire version of “The Christmas Song.”  The influence of Nat Cole’s imprint on Mel Torme’s classic Yuletide composition is felt as well as [...]

Norman HutchinsHosannaIR Music Group (2013)www.normanhutchins.comBy Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel BlogThe choir deserves equal billing on Norman Hutchins’ new album, Hosanna.  Whether singing full-throttle or with nuance, in response to Hutchins’ calls or on its own, the choir doesn’t as much support as serve as an alternate voice.Singer-songwriter Hutchins [...]

Vernon HillSongs From His Presence (2013)Available on iTunesnonrevmusicpub@gmail.com By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel BlogThe mini-album Songs From His Presence is the CD debut of Vernon Hill, a worship leader who defers the singing of the sacred compositions he wrote or co-wrote to a team of capable artists.  From Owings [...]

Tired of the same old Christmas songs on the radio?  Try these on for size - new Christmas songs and favorites from the past!  Enjoy and Merry Christmas from Bob Marovich and The Black Gospel Blog.Click Here: The Black Gospel Blog Music Hour Christmas SpecialChristmas 2013 PlaylistChristmas is here – [...]