Admittedly the new year is only three days old, but this is still the greatest idea I've heard all year: an opera about the historic August 1963 March on Washington, starring African American opera singers.Check out http://www.civilrightsopera.com/ for more information.
“Hannah’s Song”Bettie Murphy DraperFrom the Faith Walker Records CD Making Me Over (2011)http://www.taxi.com/faithwalkerVicksburg, Mississippi’s Bettie Murphy Draper delivers “Hannah’s Song” as a traditional gospel blues. While the lyrics are gospel, the musical emphasis is definitely electric blues, complete with three line verses, stinging guitar licks and strutting bass and drums. [...]
“Everything”Kezia AlfordFrom the CD Proverbs 31 (2011)http://www.keziaalford.com/To a light jazz piano combo, Greenville, Mississippi native Kezia Alford pulls on her life experience to assure us, in a smoky delivery, that “everything’s going to be all right.” Born premature, baby Kezia was near death, but the Lord had other plans for her. Now [...]
Rev. Stef and JubilationJust Like Sunday Mornin’!http://www.jubilationinc.com/By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog.Rev. Stefanie Minatee and Jubilation have been around for a while but they earned national recognition in 2010 backing Queen Latifah on the title track of EMI Gospel’s Grammy-winning Oh Happy Day: All Star Music Celebration.The ensemble [...]
Chicago's storied Gospel Fest will return to normal size in 2012. See the story below.Gospel Fest back in 2012 - Chicago Sun-TimesThe story notes Pilgrim Baptist Church as the birthplace of gospel music in Chicago. That is a common misconception because Thomas A. Dorsey was the gospel chorus director and [...]
Spring Into Praise Mass ChoirUnder His WingsSpring Into Praise Publishing (2010)http://www.springintopraise.org/By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog.When you think of denominations that front big, robust gospel choirs, the Seventh-day Adventist Church isn't the first to come to mind.But make no mistake: the SDAs show that they have as much [...]
Rev. Joe Williams (Sons of the Birds, Dixie Hummingbirds) informed TBGB today that legendary quartet lead singers Clarence Fountain and Roscoe Robinson are interested in forming a new group of Blind Boys.They are specifically looking for two blind vocalists "who can really sing" to fill out the group. Know someone who fits [...]
“Journey to Salvation”Operation Faith, feat. Rev. Harold and VANN JohnsonRev. Harold and VANN Johnson make “Journey to Salvation,” a tender and understated contemporary praise ballad, sound like a lost recording by Rev. Al Green and Gladys Knight. The couple’s lovely duet – complete with parenthetical moans candied in southern soul [...]
Listen to the Eleventh Annual "Gospel Memories" Christmas Gospel Caravan that aired yesterday. One hour of vintage gospel holiday classics from artists such as Mahalia Jackson, Angelic Gospel Singers, Harmonizing Four, Pilgrim Travelers, and many more!Click here to stream the show: Gospel Memories.
Amber Bullock Thank YouMusic World Gospel (2011)www.musicworldgospel.comBy Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog. Amber Bullock is the latest gospel chanteuse to earn top accolades on BET’s popular Sunday Best, taking home the crown during Season Four.Bullock's debut CD, Thank You, is a seven-track EP with a smart song selection [...]
