“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 [...]
“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 [...]
“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 [...]
“Only God Can”Danetra MooreTyscot Records (2014)www.tyscot.comDanetra Moore’s anthem “Only God” sings the praises of He who can do anything and everything, including move the mountains, calm the raging sea, and “take someone like me to use for His glory.”Introduced by a delicate acoustic piano, the song traverses through a robust [...]
Deitrick Haddon’s LXW (League of Xtraordinary Worshippers)Tyscot Records (released April 22, 2014)www.tyscot.comBy Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel BlogDeitrick Haddon and Tyscot Records want to bring the choir back. To make manifest their pledge, they’ve released Deitrick Haddon’s LXW (League of Xtraordinary Worshippers). The album not only celebrates the youthful [...]
In 1972, the Sons of Thunder were a teenage, interracial gospel group that sophie rain sex video toured with the Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder, and Dorothy Norwood as part of the Stones' STP Tour. Two years later, Word Records was interested in recording the group, but by 1975, the Sons of [...]
“Sunday A.M.”Karen Clark SheardKarew Records (2014)www.karewrecords.comI knew “Sunday A.M.” had all the makings of a fine gospel single the minute I heard Karen Clark Sheard sing it at her September 2013 live recording session in Chicago. Unlike Mary Mary’s 2012 “Sunday Morning,” which anticipates services with tambourine-shaking glee, “Sunday A.M.” [...]
The Mckee ChoirWhat Shall It TakeSharp Records (2014)http://themckeechoir.bandcamp.com/album/what-shall-it-takeBy Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel BlogNamed for Rev. James E. Mckee, the Mckee Choir was organized several years ago by Ulannie “Link” Brewer. The choir’s album, What Shall It Take, was recorded at its home church of Dunham Temple CME in [...]
By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel BlogMaybe I’m biased, too much of a choir geek, or maybe it was simply home court advantage, but for all the star power at yesterday’s Allstate Gospel SuperFest in Chicago, and there was much, the hometown choirs provided the evening’s most noteworthy performances.That’s [...]
