A New Day
Paul Porter
Light Records 2008
http://www.lightrecords.com/
Paul Porter left the Christianaires earlier this year, after three decades with the quartet, to give voice to musical ideas that have been forming in his mind, ideas that did not necessarily fit within the Christianaires’ format.
Porter certainly does experiment with sacred sounds on his new solo project for Light Records, A New Day, but be encouraged, ye quartet enthusiasts: there’s plenty here around which to wrap your arms and fill your ears.
For one thing, two songs — “My Redeemer Lives” and “I Made It Through” were written by musician Joey Woolfalk, who is himself a product of a quartet singing family. “I Made It Through” in particular has hit potential with its easy-like-Sunday-morning feel and catchy melody. Rance Allen joins Porter on “If There’s No Tomorrow.” “What Did You Do” is the churchy quartet “drive” number that is currently climbing the charts. So there’s no paucity of good old fashioned quartet singing on A New Day.
Of the ten tracks on the album, by far the most soul-stirring and poignant is the Paul Porter-Harvey Watkins Jr. joint venture, “He’s There All the Time.” Propelled by a slow rock-a-bye-baby “gospel waltz” tempo, and cast in the likeness of “He Knows How Much You Can Bear,” the song serves as a vehicle for Porter’s personal testimony. It’s truly a remarkable performance, an intimate interplay between two quartet lead singers young enough to still sing with lung-expanding gusto but old enough to have seen and experienced it all on the gospel highway.
Yes, there’s some contemporary synth work and female background singers on some of the songs, and yes, even a little rock steady in the final track, “I Know a Man,” but overall Porter doesn’t stray too far from his quartet roots. It may be A New Day, but a little old-time religion never hurts. Indeed, it gives us a strong foundation from which to gain the courage to venture forth into new territory.
Three of Four Stars
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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.
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God bless you Paul Porter. You have been a blessing through the years. I believe you sing from your heart. I loved you with the Christianaires. You all were unique, but I know that God will continue to bless you as you let Him continue to lead you. Your voice is like no other!!! A fan from East Moline, IL.
Paul, what a blessing. It is a new day. I thank God for your blessing. It has been a long time coming. I just ask that wherever you go on your journey take my heart ” The Shadow” with you. He truly believes in you and what God has blessed you with. I know that he will be alright as long as he stays with you. I know between you and God he will be taken care of. And for that your blessings will be doubled. He is your shadow but to me he is a sparkle of joy in my heart and will always be a part of my life in a special way. I thank you for being who you are.(TS- Detroit).
Paul you ar a unique individual. God has blessed you with a special gift. Remember that everyone can’t go where you go. So, rejoice and thank our heavenly father that it is a New Day in your life. He has brought you through and out of a lot of situations and yes you made it and you will continue to make it. God is calling you into your purpose and this is the beginning. Be blessed and stay humble. Make sure you invite me to hear you preach your first sermon. Arkansas.
Paul, I thank GOD for you and your ministry. I have been blessed by your ministry for a long time. I had a chance to meet you in Memphis at the 95.7 halleulia fm meet and greet. It was truly a special event for me. I will continue to pray for you and your beautiful family. May the LORD’s grace shine on you forever. Min. Gerald C.
Paul, Keep trusting and living for Jesus, you will be alright, I have your project. A New Day, and waiting for the next one. I remember when you first appeared on Dr. Bobby Jones tv programI’m thinking it was 1986. I may be a little off with the year. But ! the song that you did was His eyes is on the sparrow. Paul! do you remeber that?God bless you. Afriend in North Carolina. You and your family are in my prayers.
Mr. Porter I knew you “way back when”. You were powerful and anointed then and you are even more so now. Let God be your guide and let spreading the Gospel be your motivation. May you and your family be blessed. A fan from the ATL.
God continue to Bless you and your Awesome Voice. Just keep workin for Jesus!!!
God Bless You!!! your voice is awesome, your testimony is incredible, keep workin for Jesus!!
I love myself some Paul Porter. Be encouraged, and stay real for the Lord. You are an anointed man of God and blesses me everything you sing. Thank you for the opportunity to take a picture with you at Lower Richland High School in Columbia SC.
Your #1 Fan L. Bryant
I too love you Paul Porter and have loved you over the past uears when you were with the Christianaires! I still love you and you voice it has helped me through some good times in my life and also some troubled times…I am one of your most devoted fans and you can’t do nothin about it!!…Can’t wait until you have a concert around the atlanta area so I can catch you again! Be blesses!!
A Fan in Marietta,GA!
May God bless you in many ways. You have been an inspiration in my life as well as my family but please keep it real dont let anyone tell you to change the way you sing because of what most peopple want but sing how God puts on your heart because when God puts you up no man can bring you down i domt know if you reakky even read these but im 20 years old and i love to sing and i love to feel the spirit when i sing and nobody’s going to take that away thanks alot
sister in Christ in Amite,LA
May God continue to richly bless you, remember through every struggle He’s still there. Can’t nobody do you like the Lord, so keep praising Him. Forest, MS