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World Famous Soul Stirrers Reunite for Historic Gospel Revival
Released under Ruff Moore Media and distributed via DistroKid, Jesus Be a Fence, Vol. 1 captures the essence of the Soul Stirrers’ faith and artistry, combining a touch of modern rhythm with the deeply rooted soul and integrity that made them a household name in gospel music.
RIP – Spencer Taylor Jr., Highway QCs Lead and Godfather of Quartet Music
Spencer Taylor Jr. of the Highway QCs passed away at the age of 97.
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Melba Moore's new memoir, "This Is It," is available now through Amazon Books.
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Recent Posts
World Famous Soul Stirrers Reunite for Historic Gospel Revival
Released under Ruff Moore Media and distributed via DistroKid, Jesus Be a Fence, Vol. 1 captures the essence of the Soul Stirrers’ faith and artistry, combining a touch of modern rhythm with the deeply rooted soul and integrity that made them a household name in gospel music.
RIP – Spencer Taylor Jr., Highway QCs Lead and Godfather of Quartet Music
Spencer Taylor Jr. of the Highway QCs passed away at the age of 97.
Sponsored Post:
This episode includes music reviewed on the Journal of Gospel Music between mid-October and late December 2024.
To update his 2007 Christmas song “The Savior Has Come,” gospel singer Bryan Andrew Wilson turned to New Orleans’s GRAMMY Award-winning Rebirth Brass Band to give it appropriate punch.
CeCe Winans’ take on the classic Christmas carol “Angels We Have Heard on High” is massive, orchestral, and as dramatic as a Broadway production number.
Rodessa Barrett Porter, the last of the original Barrett Sisters, passed away December 16, 2024, one day after her 94th birthday.
“Rise” Jokia From the motion picture soundtrack Love Mountain Blacksmoke Music Worldwide (release date: May 17, 2024)
LATEST 5 STAR REVIEWS
Various Artists The Best of Revelation Records: 1959-1962 Narro Way Records (released September 16, 2014) www.cityhallrecords.com www.gospelfriend.com By Bob Marovich Mention the name Bobby Robinson to popular music historians, and you will hear how he founded a number of New York-based record labels, including Whirling Disc, Fury, Enjoy, and Red Robin, and released classic hits [...]
Sallie and Cora Martin Just A Little Talk with Jesus Gospel Friend (release date: September 16, 2014) www.cityhallrecords.com By Bob Marovich Sallie Martin, the Mother of Gospel Music, paved the way for those who paved the way. A no-nonsense singer, group leader, choir director, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, Martin helped Thomas A. Dorsey sell his catalog [...]
Various Artists The Soul of Designer Records Big Legal Mess (2014) www.biglegalmessrecords.com By Bob Marovich In the days before YouTube and other social media outlets, before mp3s and CDs and music maker software for home computers, gospel artists looking for greater promotion but without a major label deal sought out the expertise of bootstrap entrepreneurs [...]
Smokie Norful Forever Yours Tre Myles Music / Motown Gospel (2014) www.motowngospel.com By Bob Marovich Grammy Award-winning vocalist Smokie Norful burst upon the national stage in 2002 with the breakout hit, “I Need You Now.” The song, featuring Norful’s trademark melismatic tenor, not only garnered significant gospel radio airplay, but also made the playlist of [...]
Ricky Dillard & New G Amazing Light Records/eOne Entertainment (release date: June 10, 2014) www.rickydillard.net By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog Ricky Dillard was once the young turk on the gospel block. Beginning in the late 1980s, Dillard and the New Generation Chorale, a Chicago gospel choir steeped in the full-throated tradition [...]
LATEST PICK OF THE WEEK – SINGLES
“Do You Know the Man” | Harlem Gospel Travelers | Colemine Records (release date: October 18, 2022)
“Jesus I’ll Never Forget” | Zak Williams & 1/Akord feat. Lowell Pye | Enon Music Group (release date: October 7, 2022)
“View the City REMIX” | RiZen | DAF Entertainment Group (2022)
“Believer” Jenise La Vonne Independent (release date: August 26, 2022) www.jeniselavonne.com By Robert M. Marovich “Believer” is indie gospel artist Jenise La Vonne’s best single to date. It has it all: a powerful open, sturdy vocals, compelling lyrics, solid song structure, and chart-quality production. To a loping rhythm, Jenise declares freedom from sin and her [...]
“Holy” Grant Allison IV One Nation Under God Records (release date: July 31, 2019) www.grantallisoniv.com By Robert M. Marovich Once again, JGM digs deep into Chicago worship pastor Grant Allison’s catalogue and comes up with “Holy.” The atmospheric P&W outing is based on Philippians 2:10 and Hebrews 13:8. Its simple melody, singable chorus, and dramatic [...]
By Robert Marovich
In A City Called Heaven, gospel announcer and music historian Robert Marovich shines a light on the humble origins of a majestic genre and its indispensable bond to the city where it found its voice: Chicago.
By Robert Marovich
In A City Called Heaven, gospel announcer and music historian Robert Marovich shines a light on the humble origins of a majestic genre and its indispensable bond to the city where it found its voice: Chicago.
By Bob Marovich Not that she would have called it her bucket list, but a young Janice Gaines had three childhood aspirations. “As a little kid,” she told the Journal of Gospel Music, I would play like was a teacher, and I would play like I was a singer, and I would play like I [...]
A. Jeffrey LaValley; Credit: Facebook Get the details behind the creation of some of gospel music's most popular songs at JGM's Genesis of a Gospel Song. A. Jeffrey LaValley: “Revelation 19” (Hallelujah, Salvation and Glory) A. Jeffrey LaValley, as told to JGM’s Bob Marovich I was born in Milwaukee and brought up at the [...]
By Bob Marovich In July, Voorhies Hanniboheez of Detroit received the 2015 Rhythm of Gospel Award for Best Performance by a Christian Hip Hop Artist. It was his first public honor and confirmation of a journey that has taken a decade to crystallize. “[This award] means everything to me,” Voorhies told JGM. “I never really [...]
Kenneth Woods Jr. transitioned from labor to reward this morning, August 2, 2023. He was 94.
By Robert M. Marovich JGM is saddened to learn of the passing of Carnell Murrell. Here is a short bio we contributed to the Malaco Music Group website some years ago: Born in Detroit on June 25, 1962, gospel songwriter, group leader, musician and singer Carnell Murrell spent his early life plagued by one difficulty [...]
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