TBGB Pick of the Week: August 4, 2008

“Somebody Somewhere”
V.O.W.
JDI Records 2008

“Somebody Somewhere” has all the makings of a gospel hit with long legs.

The song has a beautiful and timeless melody, simple lyrics and message reminiscent of gospel songs written during the Golden Age, and opening lines aimed squarely at the heart. The incomparable Latoya Williams sings, “Somebody somewhere was praying for me,” with a quiet vunerability that draws the listener in immediately. She gives the song a sweetly articulate and emotionally delicate reading which stirs the live audience from the get-go.

Dr. Deborah Smith Pollard, author of When the Church Becomes Your Party, informed TBGB that the song was originally released by the Los Angeles Voices of Watts, and as early as 1996, according to Amazon.com.

Minister Randall Ogans of Alpha7 Ministries in California posits another sample, from 2002, a national release by Brenda Lowe, “Somebody Somewhere Was Praying for Me.” Minister Ogans notes that his company owns the copyright and publishing. Go to YouTube to hear it:

Brenda Lowe: “Somebody Somewhere Was Praying For Me”

In any event, this is grand songwriting, a lovely presentation and effective emotional impact make “Somebody Somewhere” one of the finest singles I’ve heard this year. V.O.W.’s full project is expected to be out Tuesday, September 2.