Bob

LaNellWork It OutZhana Records 2010http://www.zhanarecords.com/LaNell has a new man in her life. In fact, she sings, he’s the “best man in town.”And when she calls the one who did her wrong “a no good devil,” she’s not speaking metaphorically. Jesus is her man, and Satan, the no good devil, is out.This [...]

By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog.Growing up in Cincinnati, Ohio, William McDowell attended the Queen City’s storied Southern Baptist Church. There, the minister of music made an indelible imprint on the pre-teen's life.“When I was there, [Southern Baptist Church] had a college student as its minister of music,” McDowell recalled during an [...]

On Saturday, September 11, 2010, the Pace Jubilee Singers (right) will be honored with a medallion on Gennett's celebrated Walk of Fame in Richmond, Indiana.The medallion recognizes the contribution the Pace Jubilee Singers, Gennett Records recording artists, made to American music. In the mid 1920s, noted musician, songwriter, arranger and [...]

Kim HintonKim and HimSweet Chariot, Inc./Gospeltainment (2007)http://www.myspace.com/kimhinton8Inside the jewel case of gospel singer Kim Hinton’s CD, Kim and Him, is a black and white photo of the artist as a toddler in a frilly dress, sitting on her father’s lap. It is a cool retro photo, but not particularly striking until [...]

“I Give Myself Away”William McDowellFrom the eOne Entertainment album As We Worshiphttp://www.williammcdowellmusic.comWilliam McDowell’s single, “I Give Myself Away,” has become a YouTube sensation, surpassing one million views. Not surprising. His blend of gospel and CCM results in an hypnotically reassuring rapturous vibe, singers lifting praises as if releasing doves to the [...]

“Total Praise”Vonnie Blackshearwww.cdbaby.com/cd/VonnieBlackshearVonnie Blackshear of Mount Rainier, Maryland was one of the top ten finalists representing Washington, DC for Bishop Paul Morton’s Gospel Dream 2004 gospel tour. Her current single, “Total Praise,” is not the Richard Smallwood composition but a jazzy, even-tempo contemporary song that the singer delivers in a [...]

Joseph Middleton of the Golden Era Gospel Blog reported that Albertina Walker, reigning Queen of Gospel, was hospitalized earlier this week.And despite rumors to the contrary, Dr. Walker is STILL HERE (September 6).  She is in the hospital but is STILL HERE!Please continue to keep the Queen lifted up in prayer, however, [...]

“2nd Chance”F’Lana(single available on iTunes)On the hypnotically atmospheric and rhythmic “2nd Chance,” F’Lana regrets her party life and its opportunity cost. She sings about the struggles of choosing between a secular and a sacred life. Most importantly, the singer is grateful for a God who gives out second chances. Hear [...]

By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog.BET’s Sunday Best second season winner Y’Anna (pron. EE-AH-NAH) Crawley spoke to TBGB just days after her first solo CD, The Promise, was released on Max Siegel's new Imago Dei Music Group August 24.Has her life already changed?“I can’t go to the store without [...]

Debbie OrangeDebbie Orange Sings Church LiveSafety Zone Publishing Co. 2010DSGospel@sbcglobal.netDebbie Orange Sings Church Live is a whole lotta scrumptious traditional, Chicago-style singing and musicianship. Her bluesy sound tempered slightly with a dash of contemporary styling thrown in for good measure, Orange is the penultimate church mother, testifying through song in front of a [...]