House of RefugeJim ByrnesBlack Hen Music 2007www.blackhenmusic.comIf in the past ten to fifteen years, gospel’s lyrical content hasn’t strayed too far from its origins, its musical foundation sure has. North of the U.S./Canada border, it seems to have shed even more of its musical modesty, fraternizing openly with worldly sounds [...]
From D.A. Johnson of Malaco Records: We regret to announce that Rev. Eddie Porter, Father of Tyrone & Paul Porter of The Christianaires Passed on Thursday, June 7, 2007. The Homegoing schedule is as follows: Family Hour Tuesday, June 12th 6:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m. Williams Mortuary 212 E. Minnesota Street [...]
From Eyeball Productions:The Gospel Discography 1943-1970 is the culmination of over forty years of research, starting with a column by Cedric Hayes called "Post War Gospel Records" in the fledgling Blues Unlimited magazine in 1963. Cedric was joined shortly afterwards by Bob Laughton, and the work slowly and painstakingly grew [...]
[Ed. Note: Some of you may remember the "Gospel" website at www.island.net. From the late '90s to 2000, I contributed reviews and other content for the site. My reviews were of recordings I believed essential for building the ultimate gospel music collection.When the "Gospel" site was discontinued two or three [...]
Oh Happy Day ReunionThe Original Edwin Hawkins SingersLight 2004 (originally released in 1992)http://www.lightrecords.com/OK, I admit it: I am not a fan of the early ‘70s contemporary gospel scene, so I wasn’t sure if I’d enjoy this project. Suffice to say that I enjoyed it very much, far more than I [...]
"Churchin'"Angela "Missy" BillupsFrom the CD Churchin' Missy B Music 2005www.missyb.comResplendent in her going-to-church millinery, "Missy" Billups reminds us on the hand-clapping, organ-and-tambourine powered "Churchin'" what singing sounds like when saints get together to have "ch'ch." The song is a vibrant, non-stop medley of old-time songs, led by Billups and her [...]
Music of the Old SouthPolk Miller and the Old South QuartetteFlaherty Recordings 2006www.polkmiller.com Polk Miller was that most American of specimens: a man of notable contradiction. A pharmacist who developed animal medicines that formed the basis of today's Sergeant's Pet Care Products, Miller was also a talented banjo player and [...]
“Call Jesus” Bruce Parham From the upcoming Emtro Gospel CD Dwell Together Street Date: June 5, 2007 http://www.emtro.com/ Bishop Bruce V. Parham, Sr., founder and pastor of Wilmington, Delaware’s Oasis of Refreshing Ministries, possesses the closed-eyes vocal intensity of James Cleveland when he posits the opening question on his new [...]
We Praise YouThe McClurkin ProjectGospocentric Records 2007http://www.gospocentric.com/On We Praise You, gospel superstar Donnie McClurkin hands the microphone to the female McClurkins (Andrea, Tanya, Cheri, and Olivia), and to “first member” Carol Carter. While Donnie chimes in from time to time – for example, lending his reassuring voice to “You’ll Be [...]
Last May, TBGB reported on the magnificent $350,000 grant that Baylor University professor Robert Darden (left), author of People Get Ready! A New History of Black Gospel Music, secured to identify, acquire, clean, digitize and catalogue black gospel recordings.This month Darden told TBGB, “The Black Gospel Music Restoration Project is [...]
