“Holy One” (Live)
Calvin Bridges
Independent (release date: August 7, 2026)
By Robert M. Marovich
There are songwriters, and there are Songwriters. The latter write songs that last. Calvin Bridges is among the latter.
His churchy “I Can Go to God in Prayer” turned fifty this year, but his latest single, “Holy One,” is at least twenty-five years old, as he recorded it with the Oslo [Norway] Gospel Choir for its 2001 Live in Chicago album.
With more than a dash of Walter Hawkins embedded in the silky arrangement and distinctive harmonies, “Holy One” also evokes Bridges’ late ‘70s work with the Spirit of Love choir. He gives this live iteration of his worship song an equally meaty reading, and the background vocalists offer angelic support. But be sure to also check out the longer version with the Oslo aggregation on YouTube, as it is lovely and Bridges is lead vocalist there, too.
Written by : Bob Marovich
Bob Marovich is a gospel music historian, author, and radio host. Founder of Journal of Gospel Music blog (formally The Black Gospel Blog) and producer of the Gospel Memories Radio Show.
