Bob

Just to let TBGB readers know that I'll be blogging live from the Gospel Music Workshop of America in Milwaukee next week, Monday through Thursday, August 15 - 18. I'll try to capture as many highlights of each day as I can. If it's anything like last year, and I [...]

“Heavenly Father” - Patterson Singers1963Vee Jay From VJ LP 5046: Songs of Faith[also available on CD: The Best of Vee Jay Gospel: Volume 3 - Collectables Records: www.oldies.com]Not to be confused with Edna McGriff’s 1952 secular hit of the same name, in which a young but mature sounding McGriff prays [...]

What does Marion Williams have in common with the White Stripes, Michael Buble, Kelly Clarkson, and Coldplay?She's in the top 50 of Amazon.com's top music sellers as of August 6, 2005!Producer Anthony Heilbut's recent interview on NPR's "All Things Considered" provided some extra octane for Remember Me, a compilation of [...]

Hello, everyone! Just a reminder that "Gospel Memories" will be broadcast on Sunday, August 7 from 2:00 - 6:30 a.m. Central Time US on Chicago's WLUW 88.7 FM. As always, it will be webcast live on www.wluw.org. Highlights of the August 7 Broadcast: -- Words and Music with Anthony Heilbut, [...]

I had the opportunity to hear the vocal group Young Men Sent perform en vivo at a recent meeting of the Chicago Area Gospel Announcers Guild. To me, the litmus test of any vocal group is its ability to harmonize without help from the endless number of levers, switches, and [...]

Hymns To Hang On ToBishop James Dixon II & the Community of Faith Mass ChoirBlackberry Records BBD-16482005“Whatever happened to the hymns?” ruminates Bishop James W.E. Dixon II in the first seconds of this new project from Blackberry Records. The hymn book is to the musician, he remarks, as the Bible [...]

TBGB brings to your attention a film with a gospel music soundtrack and theme that is due out in October. The Gospel will feature gospel superstars such as Donnie McClurkin, Fred Hammond, Martha Munizzi, and music by Kirk Franklin. Hey, is it possible we might be previewing this film next [...]

Various Artists: Gospel Superstars – SoulLink Live 2MCG Records2005MCG7037www.mcgrecords.comBased on the success of its first SoulLink Live CD, MCG Records (part of the Malaco Music Group) has released the second compilation of quartet cuts under the SoulLink moniker. Like its predecessor, this volume also comes from the marathon six-hour “keep [...]

When Gospel Was Gospel – Various Artists Shanachie SH 60642005www.shanachie.comI am often asked to recommend a CD that will introduce the uninitiated to the sound of black gospel music. It’s not as easy as it sounds; some compilations are too facile while others are too esoteric to recommend. Thanks to [...]

Remember Me – Marion WilliamsShanachie SH 60632005www.shanachie.com“I was born to sing the gospel and I sure do love my job.”So sings Marion Williams on “Born to Sing the Gospel,” a track from Remember Me, a selection of the former Ward Singer’s solo performances from 1968 to 1992. One listen to [...]