“A Change is Gonna Come” – Dr. Willie A. Naylor

“A Change is Gonna Come”
Dr. Willie A. Naylor
From the Spongey Boy Music CD
Anthology of Soul Classics
http://www.spongeyboymusic.com/

Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come” isn’t exactly gospel, but it might as well be.

Its message of hope in the midst of turbulent times is the bedrock of religious lyricism, and the melody is as melancholy and inspirational as a well-written gospel. Not surprisingly, Cooke’s composition has enjoyed a popularity extending back to its release some forty-five years ago.

On his Anthology of Soul Classics, lifelong educator and professional musician Dr. Willie Naylor redoubles the wistfulness of “A Change is Gonna Come by muting his trumpet to sound like a voice in fervent prayer. As an instrumental, the cut demonstrates that you don’t need words to articulate Cooke’s poignant message.

In addition to teaching music for thirty-five years at Chicago’s Dunbar Vocational High School, Dr. Naylor has shared the stage with Miles Davis and Sonny Stitt, and enjoyed a long association with Michael Jackson and the Jackson Five.  Anthology is his first solo CD.