“I Survived”Marquis JelksAvailable on iTunesAccompanied only by warm, warbling B3 organ, Marquis Jelks delivers “I Survived” in the conversational singing style that goes back nearly as far as gospel music itself.A sung testimony in the mode of “I’m Still Here” and “I Can’t Complain,” “I Survived” has that church solo [...]
“Sunday A.M.”Karen Clark SheardKarew Records (2014)www.karewrecords.comI knew “Sunday A.M.” had all the makings of a fine gospel single the minute I heard Karen Clark Sheard sing it at her September 2013 live recording session in Chicago. Unlike Mary Mary’s 2012 “Sunday Morning,” which anticipates services with tambourine-shaking glee, “Sunday A.M.” [...]
“Still God” sophie rain only fans leaksAngel TaylorEpitome (2014)Available from Amazon.comDressed in a sumptuous sapphire gown, the statuesque Angel Taylor of the Grammy-nominated Trin-i-tee 5:7 sang “Still God” before more than 8,000 at the Allstate Gospel SuperFest in Chicago. This passionate love song to God, wrapped in a power pop [...]
Demetrius Woods“Nothing Without You”Available via online retailers April 29, 2014The artist formerly known as Holy Boy converts Alicia Keys’ "If I Ain’t Got You” into “Nothing Without You.” The gospelization makes sense. It’s a short distance lyrically between “If I ain’t got you” to “If I ain’t got you, Jesus.” [...]
“Whatever You Need” The North Carolina Community Choir From the 4 Winds Records release A Story To Tell (2013) www.malaco.com With “Whatever You Need,” the North Carolina Community Choir puts an asterisk after the statement that the Southeastern U.S. is exclusive territory of the gospel quartet. The single is [...]
"I Can Dance" Brent Jones feat. the Orange County Gospel Choir Available on iTunes (July 16, 2013) “You know, I’ve been in the church all my life and people have said worship is a slow song. You’re WRONGGGG!” So declares Brent Jones, Grammy and Stellar Award nominated recording artist, producer, [...]
“Good To Me” Carolyn Traylor Malaco Records (2013) www.malaco.com Carolyn Traylor’s “Good To Me” is a brassy, bluesy declaration of God’s goodness with a beat that will have listeners clapping hands and bobbing heads. It has the right blend of traditional fire and contemporary smoothness. The Greenville, Texas, native is [...]
“Praise Your Way Through”The ShowersAquila and Priscilla Records (2013)From Hammond, Louisiana, the Showers, a family gospel group, garnered national attention in 2009 for its debut album, Hear My Prayer. The single, “Jesus You Died,” earned a Rhythm of Gospel Award in 2011 for Best Traditional Song of the Year.The Showers [...]
“Waiting” Carolyn Traylor Malaco Records (2012) www.malaco.com Carolyn Traylor (“There’s A Story Behind My Praise”) is waiting for her change to come. She knows it’s on the way, too, because whenever she gets discouraged, “I pull out the resume and I see how you always brought me through.” If that [...]
“The Only God” Livre’ Glory2Glory Records/PRODIGY Entertainment Group http://livreofficial.blogspot.com/ Available on iTunes On their single, “The Only God,” Livre’ (pron. liv-ray – it means “free” in Latin) praises in tight, bright harmonies evocative of foreverJONES. Theirs is a gentle, pretty sound that blends CCR and gospel. While singing at the [...]
