“Never Stop Trusting God” Lemmie Battles DAF Entertainment Group (release date: June 17, 2022) By Robert M. Marovich Every song Lemmie Battles sings sounds like her personal testimony. Probably because every song is. Same with “Never Stop Trusting God.” Written by Percy Gray and produced by Jeral Gray Sr., the [...]
Lena Mae Perry (front), Phil Cook (back row, far right) By Robert M. Marovich One reasonably warm Saturday in April, 2019, the Long Branch Disciples of Christ Church was especially high in the spirit. There, in the postcard-pretty church nestled in Newton Grove, North Carolina, the Branchettes, arguably [...]
Various Artists Gospel, Vol. 6: Female Gospel Groups 1940-1962 Fremeaux & Associes (2022) http://www.fremeaux.com By Robert M. Marovich If it weren’t for women, there might not be gospel music as we know it today. A gutsy statement, but accurate. For every Thomas Dorsey, Theodore Frye, and James Cleveland, there were [...]
“I Can’t Forget” David Daughtry Independent (single release date: February 18, 2022) www.daviddaughtrymusic.com By Robert M. Marovich Vocalist David Daughtry lets his COGIC roots show on “I Can’t Forget,” an up-tempo, handclapping gush of gratitude to God that incorporates the congregational favorite, “Oh What He’s Done For Me” and snippets [...]
“He’ll Do It Again”Wright Family SingersHigher Praise Records (release date: April 15, 2022) By Robert M. Marovich On “He’ll Do It Again,” the Wright Family Singers come as close as anyone currently to the deep groove Muscle Shoals-era sound of the Staple Singers. The female trio even evokes the low [...]
Robert M. Marovich Ray Kroc was 52 when he opened his first McDonald’s restaurant in 1955. Col. Harland Sanders was in his 60s when his “Finger Lickin’ Good” Kentucky Fried Chicken became a national sensation. Duncan Hines didn’t license his name for cake mixes until age 73. And Johnny Ray [...]
Various Artists Malaco 50th Celebration Malaco Music Group (release date: February 25, 2022) www.malaco.com By Robert M. Marovich The nearly two-hour Malaco 50th Celebration two CD set (and companion DVD) is one of the best releases thus far this year. Recorded live on July 12, 2018, at the record company’s [...]
“He Lives” Corey Weaver Independent (release date: March 8, 2022) By Robert M. Marovich Corey Weaver, a young man from Oklahoma City with an old soul and a sky-high tenor, takes listeners to church on “He Lives.” It’s his finest single to date. Weaver and his background vocalists engage in [...]
Johnny Ray Daniels Whatever You Need Bible & Tire (release date: May 6, 2022) https://fatpossum.com/collections/bible-tire-recording-co By Robert M. Marovich Like the Blind Boys of Alabama’s Jimmy Carter and the Savettes’ Goldwire McLendon, Johnny Ray Daniels didn’t record his first solo album after until after his Social Security checks started arriving. [...]
“Some Day We’ll Meet” Bill Moss Jr. & the B.M. & E. State Choir ft. Carolyn Jacobs From the Salathiel Records album His Majesty (album release: 2020) http://www.salathielrecords.com/ By Robert M. Marovich The B. M. & E. State Choir punctuates “Some Day We’ll Meet,” a gleeful evocation of the great [...]
 Visit Today : 870 |
 This Month : 36746 |
