BreakthroughPilgrim Missionary Baptist Church Choirs “Live”Independent release 2008(708) 237-3779I’m not certain exactly when churches recognized the fundraising, membership development and public relations potential of producing records of their gospel choirs, but my guess is it took hold in the early 1950s.The earliest known progenitor of this practice was the St. [...]
Cynthia JonesGotta SoulKingdom Records 2008www.kingdomrecordsinc.comYou may not be able to judge a book by its cover, but sometimes you can judge a CD by its cover.Especially in the case of Cynthia Jones’ Gotta Soul. On the cover (above), Jones is bedecked in an ultra-hip top and earthy jewelry, and coiffed [...]
From The State, Thursday, January 8, 2009:Viewing, funeral to celebrate life of Tommy EllisonBy OTIS R. TAYLOR JR. - otaylor@thestate.com Like James Brown, Aretha Franklin and Sam Cooke, Tommy Ellison got his start as a singer in church. But unlike them, he stayed there.The Salley native was lead vocalist of [...]
Anthony Heilbut (The Gospel Sound: Good News and Bad Times) informed TBGB today that Rev. Claude Jeter, the amazing high tenor lead singer and original member of the famed Swan Silvertones, went home to glory yesterday, January 6, 2009.Jeter was 94 years old and living in New York City at [...]
From D.A. Johnson of Malaco...The Malaco Music Group regrets to inform you that Maurette Brown Clark's sister, Loretta Faison, passed after a brief illness on Saturday, January 3, 2008. Ms. Clark would like to thank all of you for your prayers and support. She asks that you please say a [...]
“Born Again”Perry Taft & CompanyFrom the forthcoming CD Born Again (available January 20, 2009)www.bksmusicgroup.comSomehow, it seems fitting that the first official Pick of the Week of the new year is an old-school quartet recording about being reborn spiritually. On “Born Again,” Perry Taft pumps out line after line with a [...]
Reverend Wesley Woods & the Hebrews Gospel SingersTry JesusG.C. Productions 2008www.hebrewsgospelsingers.comTry Jesus, the latest release (April 2008) from the Houston-based and Stellar-nominated Reverend Wesley Woods & the Hebrews Gospel Singers – their seventh, if I’m counting correctly – blends Southern-fried traditional quartet singing with the fiery, keyboard-accompanied mixed voice gospel [...]
Sam Williams, manager of Tommy Ellison and the Singing Stars, informed TBGB this afternoon that Tommy Ellison "went home to Glory." He passed away this afternoon, January 3, 2009. The memorial services will be held this Saturday, January 10, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Brookland Baptist Church, [...]
From EURweb.com:Grammy Awards official explains the reason 'Never Would Have Made It' wasn't nominated.By Mona Austin/mediamindedpro@yahoo.com(December 31, 2008) A Brooklyn street vendor is standing in 30 degree weather peddling Hip Hop mix tapes and DVDs from a six-foot table. Encircled by a variety of CDs of Black motivational speakers and [...]
From D.A. Johnson of Malaco Records:The Mississippi Mass Choir Family regretfully announces the passing of our beloved singer - Rogina Thomas - on Saturday, December 27, 2008.Her homegoing service will take place:Saturday, January 3, 11:00AMGreater Tree of Life M.B. Church3102 Monticello Drive, Jackson, MS, 39212, Rev./Dr. F.L. Blount, Pastor.Although her [...]
