Gospel Music

Got a HealingThe Willie Harris Gospel SingersOphir 2007Listening to Got a Healing by the Willie Harris Gospel Singers is an aural trip back to the 1970s and 1980s. It is reminiscent of the bass guitar-heavy male quartet recordings released by local groups on southern labels such as Hoyt Sullivan’s Su-Ann [...]

Joyous SalvationJoann RosarioVerity Records 2007www.myspace.com/joannrosarioIn early 2003, the lovely, petite Joann Rosario was hit with the granddaddy of all ailments for a vocalist: nodules on her vocal cords. Such things are so serious they are spoken of in only the most respectful and hushed of tones in music departments coast [...]

MoveDexter Walker & Zion MovementFound Sound Music 2007www.zionmovement.orgI first heard the Zion Movement Chorale two years ago, at Chicago’s Southside Neighborhood Gospel Festival. Even though the program was filled to the brim with national and local talent, Zion Movement outshined, outsang, and outperformed everyone else. Dexter Walker's Zion Movement combines [...]

From Beale Street legend Richard Johnston:On July 30 a headstone will be dedicated at the grave of blues and gospel artist Jessie Mae Hemphill, who died on July 22, 2006 and was buried a week later, on July 30. The headstone will be a memorial for Hemphill who's contributions to [...]

“Magnify”Pastor Rudolph McKissick, Jr.and the Word & Worship Mass Choirfrom the forthcoming CD Intimate WorshipEmtro Gospelwww.emtro.com“Magnify,” the first single from Pastor McKissick and the Word & Worship Mass Choir’s new release, Intimate Worship (due out August 28, 2007), has plenty of mid-tempo vocal and instrumental energy, but the composition and [...]

“I Stretch My Hands to Thee”The Trumpet-lettsBilesse 00061960sBill Moss may be gone, but his legacy remains strong. In addition to his own work with wife Essie as innovative gospel group Bill Moss and the Celestials, Bill ran a record label (also with Essie) called Bilesse, an obvious elision of their [...]

“No Limit”From the CD With Praises from the HeartDana MackeyDDM Music, LLC 2007www.danamackey.comI know that “With Praises” is the radio single, but to my ears, “No Limit” is the finest track on Dana Mackey’s ultra-modern debut CD, With Praises from the Heart. Polyrhythmic and with rich, multi-layered vocals, “No Limit” [...]

Diary of a Strong SouljahG. Mayes & Nu EraLight 2007www.lightrecords.comI continue to be impressed by the tough hip-hop gospel sounds pouring forth from Light Records these days. Another such selection hits the streets next week: Diary of a Strong Souljah, Houston-based Gary Mayes and Nu Era’s third project.There’s so much [...]

“In A City Where Sun Will Never Go Down”Bishop P.H. Passon and the Evening Light SingersLance 1026ca. 1950"In a City Where Sun Will Never Go Down" (sic) is enthusiastic female group singing, hand clapping, and delightful barrelhouse piano that guides the singers while throwing its own holy shapes in the [...]