RIP: Kenneth Woods Jr.: Musician, Songwriter, Arranger, Group Leader, Choir Director, Educator
Kenneth Woods Jr. transitioned from labor to reward this morning, August 2, 2023. He was 94.
Kenneth Woods Jr. transitioned from labor to reward this morning, August 2, 2023. He was 94.
“Wait On You” Paulette Wright Powerful Praise Records (release date: September 30, 2019) By Robert M. Marovich From the opening moments of “Wait On You,” gospel singer Paulette Wright gives the performance 110 percent. She shouts and squalls as the band plays an arrangement so '80s funky you’d be excused [...]
Acrobat Music (release date: September 9, 2022)
Gregory King Jesus Paid It All The LAB Works Studio / Nadjaron Productions (2012) By Robert M. Marovich Although Nobody Can Do Me Like Jesus,” “Payday is Coming,” and the title track of Gregory King’s 2012 album may share titles with popular hymns and gospels, that’s where the similarity ends. [...]
Los Angeles, CA – “Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story” starring Grammy winner Ledisi, and an all-star cast including Columbus Short, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Janet Hubert, Vanessa A. Williams, Corbin Bleu and Keith David, has been chosen as the opening night film for the 2022 Pan African Film & Arts [...]
By Bob Marovich As is our custom for this time of year, the Journal of Gospel Music presents its "best of" lists in the category of CDs, songs, and historical releases. The recordings were not chosen as "best of" based on sales, chart status, promotion, voting, fan popularity, number of [...]
“Come Sunday” Trineice Robinson feat. Cyrus Chestnut From the 4RM Music Productions album All or Nothing (release date: August 6, 2021) www.drtrineice.com By Robert M. Marovich “Come Sunday,” from Duke Ellington’s 1942 Black, Brown and Beige suite, never fails to stop time for saint and sinner alike. Mahalia Jackson’s 1958 [...]
Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia (106 minutes, dir. Kenny Leon, 2021) www.mylifetime.com By Robert M. Marovich Lifetime did not ask me to review Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia, but since a few individuals have inquired as to my thoughts on the biopic, I thought I’d post them here. First, I commend executive [...]
By Bob Marovich Give it up for Pastor Shirley Caesar. She stands once again, unafraid, and speaks her mind through music. Caesar, whose heart-wrenching “Mother Emanuel” honored the nine who lost their lives in the 2015 shooting at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, is back with another protest [...]
Various Artists Put the Whole Armour On: Female Black Gospel – The 1940s-1950s NarroWay (release date: October 18, 2019) www.gospelfriend.se By Bob Marovich (as originally featured in Living Blues) “If it wasn’t for the women, you wouldn’t have church.” This quote, which accompanies a vintage photograph of three African American [...]