Clara Ward and the Famous Ward SingersGospel Friend (2013)www.gospelfriend.comBy Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel BlogListening to Per Notini’s second volume of Ward Singers reissues, available on his Gospel Friend imprint, it occurred to me that every aspiring female gospel artist should study it to pick up some effective singing [...]
It is with great sadness that TBGB reports William R. Hamilton, minister of music at Chicago's historic New Covenant M.B. Church (Rev. Stephen J. Thurston, Pastor), transitioned from labor to earthly reward this morning after an extended illness.Hamilton was also an integral part of Chicago Mass Choir and a member of [...]
“Keep Knocking”The Canton SpiritualsMalaco Records (2013)www.malaco.comThe Canton Spirituals put Canton, Mississippi, on the map when Harvey Watkins Sr. organized the quartet in 1946. Their 1995 Live In Memphis (Blackberry) sold a half-million copies, and they show no signs of slowing down. On “Keep Knocking,” the Canton Spirituals identify Jesus not [...]
Lorenza Brown Porter confirmed to TBGB this morning that Rebecca Nixon, a longtime member of gospel recording group the Argo Singers, passed away last week after an illness.Nixon first appeared on record with the Argo Singers for their sole Specialty session in 1958, leading “Bring Back Those Days.” In a [...]
“My Hope Is In Glory”Ethan KentTonic Blueprint (2013)www.ethankentonline.comYou’ve heard the saying that everyone wants to go to Heaven but nobody wants to die to get there.Listening to Ethan Kent’s new single, “My Hope Is In Glory,” one is inclined to reconsider that notion. Kent and a collection of indie gospel artists, [...]
TBGB's Bob Marovich interviewed Micah Stampley about his music influences and his new album (and first for Motown Gospel), Love Never Fails.
LOS ANGELES, CA (NOVEMBER 15, 2013) – Multi-award-winning gospel recording artist Donnie McClurkin and his Grammy-nominated siblings will say goodbye to family patriarch Donald Andy McClurkin, Sr. during a home-going service and celebration of his life on Wednesday, November 20, 2013 at Greater Allen AME Cathedral of New York in [...]
Hans Christian PresentsOpstand Gospel Choir feat. Fred HammondYou AreThe Gospel Company (2009)www.hanschristianpresents.comBy Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel BlogEver since Mahalia Jackson and Chicago’s First Church of Deliverance Choir introduced Northern Europe and Scandinavia to gospel music in the 1950s and 1960s, home-grown gospel choirs have taken root. The Oslo Gospel [...]
“My Offering”Dana HemphillFrom the CD I Will Declarewww.danahemphill.comThe Michael Weatherspoon-produced “My Offering,” sung by emerging solo artist Dana Hemphill, is a simple, melodic praise song that starts tenderly and delicately, but midway through, Hemphill stokes her vocal fire alongside the background singers to a drum-thumping apex. Quoting from Romans 12:1—“ye present [...]
Collage IIIUnder ConstructionCollage Worldwide Entertainmentwww.collage3.comBy Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel BlogBlend the contemporary pizzazz of Commissioned with the muscle of ‘70s soul harmony singing, and toss in some rap at intervals, and you have Collage III’s Under Construction.The trio’s meaty voices deliver eleven selections on hope, encouragement, patience, and [...]
