From D.A. Johnson of Malaco Records:While The Caravans were in Los Angeles last week, they had the opportunity to sit down with award winning journalist Mr. Tony Cox at the NPR studios which aired nationally on their stations, Tuesday, October 3, 2006.If you didn’t get an opportunity to hear The [...]
“He’s Here”Niyoki2006From the D2G Records CD My Everythingwww.niyoki.comNiyoki’s RnB-soaked gospel track “He’s Here” reminds me of the medium-tempo dance songs I used to enjoy on “Soul Train”: it possesses an easy, loping, hypnotic beat that more than makes up for the lack of a clever hook or memorable melody.Niyoki has [...]
“This Kind by Fasting and Prayer”Elder Jimmy Hicks and the Voices of IntegrityWorldwide Music, Inc.2005“This Kind by Fasting and Prayer” is a similar sounding follow-up to the group’s enjoyable hit, “Born Blessed,” and on the same CD as the latter, but in Elder Hicks’ case, sound-alike is a good thing. [...]
David April, host of "The Gospel Train" radio program, reports:"Governor Ed Rendell dedicated several blocks of Poplar Street near the old Met Theater in Philadelphia as Dixie Hummingbirds Way. The ceremony was followed by a cd release party for The Dixie Hummingbirds: Still Keepin' It Real/The Last Man Standing."(Photo: James [...]
“Can’t Forget”DeNetria ChampJDI Records 2006www.jdirecords.comIt’s hard to forget DeNetria Champ: she sings as effortlessly as she breathes. Her lyrical rhythm turns a song into a musical conversation, and her sound is a clone of Aretha Franklin’s. Both singers seem to have been born without a natural voice break, which allows [...]
He’ll Take the Pain AwayCarl Lavon BellCedar Hill 2006www.eddiecrook.comHailed as the “Nat King Cole” of gospel music, Carl Lavon Bell definitely sounds more comfortable singing sacred than Nat did when he performed with the First Church of Deliverance choir back in the day. The original gospel ballads on Bell’s five-track [...]
Jesus I'll Never ForgetEvening Light BrothersChurch of God2006Frequent live, in-studio performers on WLUW’s “Gospel Memories” radio program, the Evening Light Brothers a cappella quartet now have a CD available that captures their superb renditions of classic recordings from gospel’s Golden Age.All members of the Church of God at 46th and [...]
“Tell Somebody”The Texas BoyzFrom the Blackberry album Never Left Me AloneBlackberry 2006The Texas Boyz started singing three decades ago, first as the Gospel Five, then as The Mighty Supreme Voices of Dallas, Texas. It was as the latter that the quartet hit the big time, earning recording contracts with Savoy, [...]
Click below for Peter Margasak's superb review of a compilation produced by "Gospel Memories" contributor Rob Sevier and Numero Group: Good God! A Gospel Funk Hymnal. The CD brings together a sampling of long-forgotten but still compelling and vibrant gospel cuts from indie label 45 rpm singles that have never [...]
“Packin’ Up”Ward SingersSavoy 40801956[also on Savoy LPs MG14020 and DBL7015]Quintessential Ward Singers, with the classic lineup of Gertrude Ward, Clara Ward, Willa Ward Moultrie, Marion Williams, Frances Steadman, and Kitty Parham. Williams takes center stage on this track, lofting her signature high whoos up and over the ladies’ energetic, tight [...]
