“He Was Always There (That’s Why I Praise Him)”
Zenobia Dewely
Available on Amazon.com
How can you not love a woman who “sangs” and runs a baked goods enterprise at the same time?
Zenobia Pinckney Dewely, owner of Zenobia’s Sweet Tooth, is known as the “Cookie Lady,” but she sings the sweetening out of “He Was Always There (That’s Why I Praise Him).”
Accompanied by a warbling B3 and an appreciative congregation, Dewely proclaims, “They said I would not make it / But my God, He stepped in right on time.” The organ follows Dewely as she delivers her tuneful testimonial recitative with walking-the-church-aisles drama.
Originally from South Carolina but now living in New York, Zenobia Dewely sings like she never left South Carolina. In the same category as neo-traditional songs such as “I Won’t Complain,” “He Was Always There” is a guaranteed audience rouser.
Written by : Bob Marovich
Bob Marovich is a gospel music historian, author, and radio host. Founder of Journal of Gospel Music blog (formally The Black Gospel Blog) and producer of the Gospel Memories Radio Show.
Visit Today : 922
This Month : 10765