“Don’t Leave Me Jesus” – Lady Voncile Belcher

“Don’t Leave Me Jesus”
Lady Voncile Belcher
(release date: September 23, 2022)

By Robert M. Marovich

Although on her latest selection, “Don’t Leave Me Jesus,” Lady Voncile Belcher pleads with Jesus to not leave her “in this barren land,” she knows he won’t.  Quoting from “No Ways Tired,” she and her background vocalists sing: “he didn’t bring me this far to leave me.” Plus, Lady Voncile offers testimony to prove her point.

Lady Voncile’s vocals are steeped in the raw, unbridled wooden church sound that will never go out of style. She is propelled forward by a funky rhythm section and an especially lively bass player.

A longstanding member of the Gospel Music Workshop of America, Lady Voncile took her first recorded lead vocal on “Do You Know Who Jesus Is,” by the Harris Temple Church of God in Christ, under the direction of Superintendent William Keith Ellison. After moving to Atlanta, she was invited by the Reverend Milton Biggham to lead the Georgia Mass Choir on “Look Where He Brought Me From.” That feature was her breakout moment, leading to years of award-winning singing and recording.