TBGB Pick of the Week: June 2, 2014
“Turning Away” Bryan Andrew Wilson EchoPark JDI (2014) www.echoparkjdi.com Maybe it’s me, but less can be more, especially in gospel music. Gospel started with only piano for accompaniment. Nine decades later, piano and voice (and organ, of course) are still the ideal combination for a Zion song. Proof is Bryan [...]
Mississippi Mass Choir – “God’s On Your Side”
“God's On Your Side” Mississippi Mass Choir feat. Le’Andria Johnson From the Malaco CD Declaration of Dependence (release date: June 3, 2014) www.malaco.com Put the Mississippi Mass Choir together with Le’Andria Johnson, and you have a potent combination of old school passion. Opening with a Kirk Franklin-esque call and response, [...]
Gospel’s Melvin Crispell Dies
TBGB learned this evening that gospel songwriter, producer, organist, and group leader Melvin Crispell died. More details will be forthcoming as they are made available. @amandamccantsA Brooklynite by rearing and IMOK Gospel Music recording artist, Crispell fronted the group Testimony and was well respected for his keyboard wizardry. His songs [...]
Joe “Peanuts” Cook, Gospel Quartet and Pop Singer, Dies
From Charles Horner's Classic Urban Harmony Newsletter: Little Joe Cook, known for his falsetto hits like "Peanuts" with the Philadelphia vocal group the Thrillers, died on April 16, 2014. Cook was born in South Philly but moved to North Philly as a youngster where he formed the gospel group, the [...]
“Word of God Speak” – Perfection
“Word of God Speak" Perfection 4 Winds Records (released October, 2013) www.malaco.com The modern gospel quartet Perfection covers MercyMe’s 2002 hit “Word of God Speak” with delicately smooth harmonies, soulful lead singing, and an arm-waving sing-a-long at the conclusion. On the album version, Perfection adds a snippet from Thomas Whitfield’s [...]
Video: Stephen B. Steward – “Purify My Soul”
For P&W enthusiasts: Stephen B. Steward sings "Purify My Soul" in concert with Jonathan Butler.Steward's album, Enter Your Gates, was released May 20. For more information, visit www.stephenbsteward.com.
TBGB Pick of the Week: May 26, 2014
“Better”The ShowersA&P Records (2014)Nothing like being pushed to the edge of the fire, metaphorically speaking, to produce a good gospel song. “I’m tired of my life / I’m tired of the pain / I’m tired of my past / the guilt and the shame,” the Showers sing on “Better,” their [...]
Chicago Gospel Music Awards – Nominees Announced
Chicago, IL: "Chicago Gospel Live" is proud to announce the nominees for the final voting round for the 1st Annual 2014 Chicago Gospel Music Awards.And the Nominees Are:Quartet of the YearThe Stars of Heaven - I'm Holding OnThe Gospel Crusaders - Pressin OnNelson Larkins & God's Posse - Live in ChicagoTraditional [...]
