Lady LaVarnga Hubbard – Royalty

Lady LaVarnga Hubbard
Royalty
LA Sing Management 2010
www.ladylasing.com

Chicago has never had a shortage of flammable female gospel singers. Those still singing include Albertina Walker, Inez Andrews, Delores Washington, Leanne Faine, Lemmie Battles, Angela Spivey, Shirley Bell, Dianne Williams, Queenie Lenox…the list goes on and on.

The list is not complete without Lady LaVarnga Hubbard, the “Duchess of Gospel.”

You have heard Lady Hubbard with the Chicago Mass Choir (“Call Him Up”), Bishop Larry Trotter & the Sweet Holy Spirit Church Choir (“I Got What I Needed”) and Dexter Walker & Zion Movement Chorale (“The Blood”). She’s starred in gospel plays. If you are an early riser, perhaps you’ve caught her Thursday morning radio show on WYCA, 102.3 FM in Chicago. She’s been a faithful member of Greater Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago and for fifteen years a singer with Dr. Ricky Dillard’s New Generation Chorale.

In fact, it is Dr. Dillard himself who introduces Lady Hubbard on her second live solo CD, Royalty. The album, produced by Percy Gray, Jr., was recorded at West Point Baptist Church, home church of Albertina Walker.

With such a provenance, you know Royalty is filled with churchy songs as old-school as a Leslie speaker. Prime examples include “Cannot Afford Not to Give You Praise” and a real pewburner called “My Soul is Anchored,” which has the potential to be a huge radio hit wherever high-octane gospel choir music is appreciated. “Jesus is on the Main Line” is given the funkiest bass line I’ve ever heard ascribed to the popular congregational song.

The album rolls along like a true gospel musical, with Hubbard trading her shouting shoes for praise and worship balladeering on “You Never Gave Up on Me” and “I Will Praise Your Name.” Still, the aerobic, traditional pieces are the best complement to her shout-till-you’re-hoarse gospel voice. No doubt about it: Lady LaVarnga Hubbard is the real deal: heart, soul and voice.

Four of Five Stars

gPod Picks: “Cannot Afford Not to Give You Praise,” “My Soul is Anchored.”

Review by Bob Marovich of The Black Gospel Blog.