Gary Samuels
From the Versatile Entertainment EP Grace of God (2012)
“Grace of God” finds Gary Samuels, a five-octave vocalist from Harlem, in a tussle with Satan.
The devil is greedy, too: he wants the singer’s life and his soul. A companion video depicts the tussle as a married junior pastor tempted to engage in a relationship with a flirtatious member.
With assistance from a churchy choir of background vocalists, Samuels slaps Satan down with a soulful and meaty delivery evocative of Billy Stewart. The organ-dominated accompaniment and major seventh chords give the song a Northern soul vibe.
The seven-minute title track and single of Gary Samuels’ new EP has the intense drama of a Broadway show-stopper. An edited version may be worthwhile to get radio’s attention.
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.