TBGB received this press release from Black Gospel Promo, and passes along its deepest sympathies to Kayla's family and friends. Too young, too young...Kayla Parker - Tolbert's remarkable talent has earned her an enviable place on the modern musical landscape. Her music was part of the funeral of Coretta Scott [...]
For those who have contacted me to learn whether James Davis, longtime member of the Dixie Hummingbirds has passed, I have confirmed that he died on Tuesday, April 17. The funeral will be on Friday, April 27 in Philadelphia. I will post more details as I receive them.In the photo, [...]
TBGB correspondent Matt Garret from Australia brought this website to our attention (thanks, mate). Quoting from the site's home page:"Since its creation in 1779 in England, 'Amazing Grace' has grown in popularity to become one of the best-known hymns in America. This Web site explores its history through items from [...]
Witness7 Sons of SoulZomba 2007www.7sonsofsoul.comFrom Washington, D.C., the 7 Sons of Soul – Cliff Jones, Dave Lindsey, Deonte Gray, Kenneth Epperson, Doug Hayes, and Sam Kendrick – blend today’s beats with south of the Mason-Dixon line quartet singing, complete with backbeat, bluesy guitar riffs, lead trading, and hard singing.In fact, [...]
My Best to YouKatie SankeyMeltone Records 2007www.meltonerevue.comKatie Sankey’s voice is so large it can hardly be contained within the borders of her home state of Alabama, where she is a Jefferson County native. It’s no surprise Katie won the Dorothy Love Coates Life Achievement Award at the 2006 American Gospel [...]
“Fisher of Men”BatisteFrom the DaMil Records CD Love is Your Greatest Gift 2006www.batistemusic.comDeLois Barrett Campbell believes that the Barrett Sisters blend harmonies so well because they are blood-related sisters. If kinship breeds quality harmony, it’s no wonder brothers Lionel (Ray) and Lyndon Batiste create such a heavenly sound together. Not [...]
Tramaine TreasuryTramaine HawkinsLight Records 2004www.lightrecords.comEdwin and Walter Hawkins may have smoothed the edges of gospel music with jazz chords and soft-rock arrangements to render it more appealing to the masses, but Tramaine’s churchy shouting was a constant reminder of its raising.A product of the Church of God in Christ, Tramaine [...]
We’ll Never Turn BackMavis StaplesAnti- 2007www.mavisstaples.com“It’s the 21st Century – it feels like it’s 1960!”Mavis Staples’ lament in “99 and ½,” a track on her new project, We’ll Never Turn Back, pretty much sums up the album’s theme. A revisiting of the Civil Rights Movement's musical lexicon, We’ll Never Turn [...]
Gospel DreamVarious ArtistsVerity 2007www.verityrecords.comGospel Dream is the debut compilation of performances by the Christian and Gospel finalists from the popular Gospel Music Channel program based on you-know-what ubiquitous television sensation (unnecessary hint: one judge wears a black t-shirt). The project demonstrates aurally what we already know intuitively: that any Gospel [...]
“You Can Make It”Terrence Mackey & Nu RestorationFrom the CD Nu Restoration - Vol. 1 (Spiritual City Music 2007)www.spiritualcitymusic.comWhile “Crossover,” with its fresh hip hop beats, is the signature single from Dallas native Terrence Mackey and Nu Restoration’s debut project Nu Restoration - Vol. 1, I’m partial to the traditional [...]
