Gospel Music

“Higher Ground”Lemmie BattlesFrom the Ashro Records CD Testify(2013)www.ashrorecords.comCut from the same trad cloth as gospel squallers Dot Coates, Ruth Davis, and several Caravans, Chicago’s Evangelist Dr. Lemmie Battles takes the listener to church on her new single, “Higher Ground.”  Summoning the evergreen movable couplets about feet striking Zionand singing in [...]

“What A Friend”Deanna RansomFrom the CD Never Say Never…Againwww.deannaransom.comNot the old hymn but based lyrically on its chorus, “What a Friend” is a smooth jazz paean to the constancy of Jesus in the best and worst of times.  It is not surprising that Ransom, who has had her share of [...]

Carl Lavon BellCarl Lavon Sings, Jesus SwingsTate Music Group (2013)www.tatemusicgroup.comBy Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel BlogThe second half of the title of Carl Lavon Bell’s new album refers to its opening track, “Jesus Swings.”  Backed by a hip jazz combo, Bell strings together gospel and spiritual song titles into [...]

Chicago, IL: The 28th Chicago Gospel Music Festival, presented by The Black McDonald’s Operators Association (BMOA) and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) is June 20-23. Once again the Bronzeville neighborhood, the birthplace of Gospel music, will serve as the festival’s main home – with the weekend portion [...]

Muyiwa & RiversongzLive at the Apollohttp://www.muyiwa.co.uk/By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog.For their new project, Live at the Apollo, Muyiwa & Riversongz spirit the audience on a world tour of praise and worship.One clarification: the Apollo where the group performed was not the NYC landmark but the Hammersmith Apollo Theater in [...]

“It Belongs to You”Darnell Moore & Companywww.DarnellMooreMusic.com“It Belongs to You,” from Washington, DC’s Darnell Moore & Company, is an above average worship service opener with a memorable hook embedded in the chorus.  To a vivacious tempo, Moore sings out the lyric lines and Company returns them.  The melody is uncomplicated and [...]

“My Soul Says Yes”The CaravansDNMG and Soul Centered Music Groupwww.dorothynorwoodmusicgroup.comAfter the recent passing of longtime members Albertina Walker and Inez Andrews, the Caravans would not be expected to release new music.  However, in 2010, Walkerand Andrews along with Delores Washington and Dorothy Norwood recorded the traditional gospel, “My Soul Says [...]

By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog.Stellar Award-winning Tye Tribbett signed with EMI Gospel—now Motown Gospel—earlier this year.  He opened BET’s Celebration of Gospel on Sunday, April 7.  His new single, “If He Did It Before…Same God,” debuted at #1 on iTunes and #17 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Singles [...]

Baltimore, MD: Quartet gospel music legend Damon Little, who is best known for hit songs such as “You Can’t Straddle The Fence," “Do Right,” or his recent hit, “Make A Way,” has been scheduled for emergency heart surgery to take place Monday, April 22nd in the Baltimore, MD area.According to Little: "As I ministered last [...]