JGM founder and historian Bob Marovich talks about his new book, Peace Be Still: How James Cleveland and the Angelic Choir Created a Gospel Classic, during a Q&A hosted by the publisher, University of Illinois Press. The book is available for pre-order and will be released officially on December 14, 2021. https://www.press.uillinois.edu/wordpress/qa-with-robert-m-marovich-author-of-peace-be-still/

By Robert M. Marovich On Saturday, November 13, 2021, the Grammy Award-winning Charles Fold Singers of Cincinnati celebrated their 50th Anniversary with a program at Lincoln Heights Missionary Baptist Church, where Dr. Fold had been minister of music. Maryanne Zeleznik on Cincinnati Public Radio’s “Cincinnati Edition” conducted an interview with Charles Fold’s sister Christine Brown, one of only two living founding members of the group; Lincoln Heights Missionary Baptist Church Director of Music and Gospel Music Workshop of America National Board Member Ron Logan, the other founding member of the group; Zion Global Ministries Pastor Freddie Piphus; and Cincinnati Pops ...

“God Kept Me”Beau Williams feat. the HamiltonesFrom the album Timeless (release date: September 24, 2021) By Robert M. Marovich “God Kept Me” by longtime vocalist Beau Williams, is a joyous gospel song about the constancy of the Most High. The rhythm guitar drives a handclapping tempo while popular vocal group the Hamiltones answer Williams’ declarations with percussive harmonizing. Lively and enchanting. And Williams can sure enough sing, his high yodel on the refrain evokes Sam Cooke with the Soul Stirrers. Gaining exposure on the television show Star Search in the mid-1980s, the Houston-born Williams had an R&B career on Capitol ...

Quinten Simon God Did Just What He Said Independent (release date: August 22, 2020) By Robert M. Marovich I don’t think I’m going too far out on a limb in proposing that Quinten Simon is a fan of the 1980s mass choir sound. His album, God Did Just What He Said, sounds like a Savoy Records release during the 1980s, the golden era of the gospel choir. Simon and eleven background vocalists that sing with the authority of a workshop choir blend contemporary and traditional styles on this ten-selection album. That bold mass choir sound is especially evident on the ...

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“So Much to Thank God For” New Macedonia M.B. Church Mass Choir feat. Betty Griffin Keller From the CD Faithful (release date: September 4, 2020) https://mynmmbc.org/ By Robert M. Marovich “So Much to Thank God For” is more than a vibrant throwback choral piece from the New Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church Mass Choir. It’s also a testimony for featured vocalist Betty Griffin Keller. Keller, a member of the Cleveland Singers, a soloist with the Southern California Community Choir, and a solo gospel recording artist, celebrates fifteen years of being cancer free. The abundant joy of life is evident in her ...

“Open Up the Windows of Heaven” Lucinda Marie Independent (release date: August 10, 2021) www.LucindaMarieMusic.com By Robert M. Marovich Lucinda Marie, the self-described “former pastor’s wife,” puts on her stylish shouting shoes, lifts the hem of her long dress ever so slightly, and holy dances through this up-tempo piece. The lyrics, which quote from Malachi 3:10, provide Lucinda and her background vocalists plenty of room for call-and-response. She starts the long vamp with “Fill my cup” and it leads to plaudits abundant. A real stomper in the finest perspiration-drenched church-wrecking tradition. From Austin, Texas, Lucinda Marie (Taylor) has a Ph.D. ...

Johnny Ruffin Jr. I’m Gonna Praise the Lord JBP Music (release date: June 19, 2021) By Robert M. Marovich Like Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson, Johnny Ruffin Jr. of North Carolina celebrates old-school quartet singing. That’s the feeling you get from his independently-released album, I’m Gonna Praise the Lord. While most songs have contemporary arrangements, Ruffin sings like a veteran quartet lead singer. He is most effective on covers of gospel classics like the Dixie Hummingbirds’ “So Much to Shout About” and the Jackson Southernaires’ “I Need You to Hold My Hand.” Notwithstanding the unnecessary blasts of synth, Ruffin and Stanley “Li’l ...

“You Fight On” Apostle James Pinckney Jr. & Voices of Faith From The Sound of Holiness (release date: November 6, 2020) https://faithtabernaclechurchofzion.com/ By Robert M. Marovich From South Carolina, the Voices of Faith choir, under the direction of Apostle James Pinckney Jr., was one of the darlings of the 2021 Rhythm of Gospel Awards weekend, winning in four categories, including Song of the Year for “You Fight On.” The up-tempo song about persistence and endurance has the soul of a wooden-church congregational hymn supported by tambourines, washboard, cowbell, and a House of God-style steel guitar. The choir sings with verve ...

“I’m Not Tired Yet…Running for Jesus” Calvin Bridges ft. Ann Bridges From the PNEUMA/Spirit Recordings, Inc. CD Gospel Church Generations (single release date: February 2, 2021) www.calvinbridges.org By Robert M. Marovich Although he is a talented songwriter, Calvin Bridges reaches back to the Caravans catalog for an oldie but goodie. Together with Ann Bridges, Calvin belts out this fire starter with a passel of fine supporting vocalists. Although the team takes the tempo a little slower than Inez Andrews did in 1958 and Pastor Shirley Caesar some years later, it still moves at a brisk pace. “I’m Not Tired Yet…Running ...