“It Won’t Be Long” Dr. Waverly B. Bumbrey & Refuge Temple Cathedral Voices (release date: January 8, 2021) By Robert M. Marovich Pandemic-wise, “It Won’t Be Long” feels more relevant today, in mid-March, than when it was released in early January by the award-winning choir Dr. Waverly B. Bumbrey & [...]
“Get Ready” Darwin Hobbs FairTrade Services / Tyscot Records (release date: January 15, 2021) On “Get Ready,” singer-songwriter Darwin Hobbs quotes from 1 Corinthians 2:9 (“eye has not seen, nor ear heard”) to drum up excitement about the miracles just beyond his/your/our horizon. The new single features Hobbs’ husky voice, [...]
“Remember Me” Eleanor Dubinsky Touch the Sky LLC (release date: March 12, 2021) By Robert M. Marovich Based on a true story, “Remember Me” was written by Sally Ponzio, her brother Frank Ponzio, and Eleanor Dubinsky, though the most critical contributor was Sally’s late son, Travis. Six months after Travis [...]
Congratulations to the following winners, announced during yesterday's 63rd Annual GRAMMY Awards celebrations: BEST ROOTS GOSPEL ALBUMCelebrating Fisk! (The 150th Anniversary Album)Fisk Jubilee Singers BEST CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC ALBUMJesus Is KingKanye West BEST GOSPEL ALBUMGospel According To PJPJ Morton BEST CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC PERFORMANCE/SONG"There Was Jesus"Zach Williams & Dolly Parton [...]
“The Ride”Bryan Andrew WilsonBryan’s Songs / The Orchard(release date: February 26, 2021) By Robert M. Marovich Gospel music enthusiasts have heard Bryan Andrew Wilson grow up from child soloist on the Mississippi Children’s Choir’s “His Eye is on the Sparrow” to the singer-songwriter cranking out mainstream gospel hits such as [...]
“Heal Our Land” Oscar Williams & the Band of Life Ft. C. Ashley Brown-Lawrence From the EP Speak Life – Vol. 1 (EP release date: January 14, 2021) By Robert M. Marovich “Heal Our Land,” introduced last year by Oscar Williams & the Band of Life, remains a relevant prayer [...]
“We Need You”Titus ShowersA&P Records (release date: January 15, 2021) By Robert M. Marovich Alternately balladic and rhythmic, Titus Showers’ new single “We Need You” is a passionate, moving entreaty to the Lord to help the world search for peace, regain its faith, and answer the most fundamental question during [...]
“Residue” Jason Nelson Tyscot / Fair Trade (release date: March 5, 2021) By Robert M. Marovich Those who know Jason Nelson for his gospel balladry will be interested to hear his musical shift on “Residue.” Nelson’s first single in three years is more rhythmic in arrangement and vocals than his [...]
Katy Crawford Dwell (EP) Devotion Music (release date: June 11, 2020) By Robert M. Marovich Dallas-based singer-songwriter Katy Crawford was inspired to read from Psalms every day and set some of the verses to music. Her EP Dwell is the first, but hopefully not the last, of her musical explorations [...]
“Wait” Kevan Peabody Twinkem Productions (release date: October 16, 2020) www.twinkemp.com By Robert M. Marovich Taking Proverbs 3:5-6 in part for his text, veteran gospel singer Kevan Peabody implores listeners on “Wait” not to despair but to trust and “wait on the Lord." To a traditional-flavored but sonically robust arrangement [...]
