WOW Gospel 2008
Various Artists
Zomba Gospel Group 2008
www.wowgospelonline.com
For the past eleven years, I have looked forward to each February with eager anticipation, knowing that the latest installment of the WOW Gospel series was due for release. This double-CD gospel music yearbook, the sister series to Christian music’s WOW project, has never disappointed me, serving not only as a bellwether of the musical evolution of gospel, but also as a compilation of the songs that burned up the radio in the past year.
The 2008 installment, released today (Feb. 12) may well be the best ever. It features all the biggies: Kirk Franklin’s disco-inspired “Looking for You,” J Moss’s “I’m Not Perfect,” Israel and New Breed’s “With Long Life,” Fred Hammond’s “This is the Day,” and living legend Tramaine Hawkins’ “I Never Lost My Praise.” The Clark Sisters’ “Blessed and Highly Favored,” now blessed and highly favored by both the Stellar and Grammy Awards, is present, too, as are lovely inspirational songs by Smokie Norful (“Where Would I Be?”) and CeCe Winans (“All That I Need”). A bluesy Mary Mary track, “Yesterday,” was new to me, and demonstrates that even the most contemporary of groups can dig deep down and render a heart-stopping, soulful gospel ballad when the spirit beckons.
A great contribution to gospel music history would be to go back and produce WOW Gospel compilations for each year from 1950 to 1997. Imagine WOW Gospel 1950…featuring tracks by the Original Five Blind Boys, Pilgrim Travelers, Brother Joe May, the Ward Singers, the Soul Stirrers, Dixie Hummingbirds, Roberta Martin Singers, Mahalia Jackson and the Davis Sisters!
Unlike previous years, WOW Gospel 2008 does not include the New Artist Spotlight, and Monday morning quarterbacks like me could compile a “what’s missing” list, with Marvin Sapp’s smash hit “Never Would’ve Made It” and Maurette Brown Clark’s “One God” two curious omissions. Regardless, whether you are a gospel enthusiast or a novice, WOW Gospel 2008 – like its ten predecessors – is a compulsory purchase. And the series regularly overdelivers, promising 30 tracks and giving you more (this year you get 33).
WOW Gospel 2008 is gospel music’s audio summary, a retrospective of the year’s hits as well as an almanac on where the music is going. If you are more of a visual type, fear not: the companion DVD is available, too.
Four 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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“Yesterday” by Mary Mary, is outstanding. It is so powerful. My family and I could not believe how powerful these ladies could be when singing from deep within. We listened to it for months without stopping. Seeing them perform the song is just as powerful. (try youtube) It is still at the top of my list. I doubt Mary Mary can surpass “Yesterday.”
Regards
Ducky
Thanks, Ducky — I’ll have to check out the YouTube video. This song was a complete and pleasant surprise; I missed it when it first came out!