CD Review: Dwayne Lee Live – Victorious Praise

Victorious Praise
Dwayne Lee
Psalm 27 Records 2003
www.dwayneleesings.com

I am not certain whether Dwayne Lee, a young singer from Chicago’s Apostolic Church of God, was inspired by Walter Hawkins, but his crooning baritone and precision reading of a lyric are certainly reminiscent of vintage Hawkins.

Victorious Praise, Dwayne Lee’s sophomore outing, features uncomplicated melodies that provide an effective setting for Lee’s pleasant, easy-on-the-ears voice, and an ensemble of well-disciplined background vocalists. The production offers up a variety of musical flavors, such as a brassy Latin feel to the title track and a Middle Eastern riff at the end of “Set Me Free.” The finest cuts on the project, “If I Could Just Explain” and “At Your Name,” are gospel ballads that showcase Lee joyously belting out the praises.

Victorious Praise is an enjoyable listen and well worth a spin to hear a talented vocalist with obvious musical training sing with spirit and verve.

Essential Gospel – Classic Recordings: No. 136

“Lead Me to That Rock”
Canaanites
Gotham 607
1949
[Also available on Pewburner CD reissue PB597]

“Lead Me to That Rock” is included on this list of gospel essentials not for its exceptional compositional quality – it’s a pretty standard 1940s a cappella quartet number – but because it features as lead vocalist the incomparable tenor Joe Van Loan.

Van Loan is best remembered for his membership in the 1950s Ravens vocal group, filling the resident falsetto seat created by Maithe Marshall, and particularly for his needle-jumping high note at the end of the Ravens’ 1956 “A Simple Prayer” (Argo). Like most every vocal stylist in RnB, however, Van Loan also sang gospel. This Canaanites recording is a rare chance to hear Van Loan skip lightly through the musical stratosphere in praise of the Lord.

More Information on the Passing of Roy Wooten

From a press release distributed through Malaco Music Group.

MALACO MUSIC GROUP MOURNS THE PASSING OF ROY "MR. MALACO" WOOTEN

Los Angeles--Wednesday, June 21, 2006--The mighty Malaco Music Group regretfully announces the passing of it's legendary record promoter, marketing expert and truly devoted friend of the Gospel music industry, Roy "Mr. Malaco" Wooten. The man affectionately known as "Uncle Roy" to his many friends, co-workers and business associates lost his final battle with colon cancer on Friday, June 16.

The Malaco sponsored Celebration of Life Services For Roy Wooten will take place over two days next week, starting with A Musical Tribute to Roy "Mr. Malaco” Wooten on Monday, June 26, 2006 @ 6:30 PM at the Greater Bethlehem Temple, located at 1505 Robinson Street (601.354.2599), Jackson, MS, Bishop Phillip D. Coleman, Pastor, presiding. Followed the next day by Mr. Wooten's Homegoing Service on Tuesday, June 27, 2006, at 12 noon, again, at the Greater Bethlehem Temple, 1505 Robinson Street, Jackson, with Bishop Phillip D. Coleman, presiding. The funeral arrangements are being handled by the Lakeover Funeral Home at 1525 Beasley Road, Jackson, MS. The funeral home's phone number is 601.362.0162.

Roy C. Wooten was first introduced to Malaco Records some 34 years ago by the late Franklin D. Williams, where Roy worked without pay for almost a year. Roy first worked as the sound man for the Jackson Southernaires, and in Gospel Promotions at the studio. When not on the road, he has worked in every capacity at Malaco Records over the years. Roy knew all the components needed to make great hit records. From an artist's sound and production in the studio, to label copy, photographs, one sheets, and distribution, straight through to the promotion of the record on the road. Roy was also on the Executive Board for the Mississippi Mass Choir and was the National Promotion Manager for the GMWA Announcers Guild.

Roy received numerous awards over the years. including: GMWA Pioneers Award, Malaco Distinguished Award, GMWA Quartet Frank Williams Award, American Gospel Quartet Frank Williams Award, The Jackson Music Award and the Frank Williams Memorial Award.

An impressive sampling of his many awards, just to name a few. Roy was also the CEO of Exclesisa Booking Agency, which he co-owned with his wife Esther Wooten. This agency continues to represent many renowned Gospel artists such as: The Canton Spirituals, Slim & The Supreme Angels, Spencer Taylor & The Highway QC's, Darrell McFadden, Paul Porter, The Anointed Jackson Sister, The Southern Sons, Ms. Bee Oliver and Jewell & Converted.

Roy is survived by three children, Miioka, Royriquez and Hadassah Roinell, as well as his Daughter In Law, Lakisha, 2 Grandchildren, Mikayla & Mckenzie and his beloved God Daughter, B. Oliver.

In April of 1997 Roy was diagnosed with colon cancer. After elective surgery, Roy received chemotherapy for 52 weeks. This illness would have easily been enough to stifle most people's faith and spirit, but not Roy's. His strong faith sustained him, coupled with the faith and prayers of his family, as well as the prayers of his fellow Radio Announcers, Promoters, his Liberal Trinity C.O.G.I.C. church family and his many brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the nation.

Roy's ability to bounce back with such resiliency only reaffirmed his strength in the Lord and shows us all that we can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us.

"God gets all the glory and praise for the things He is doing and has done in my life. With God, all things are possible to them that believe," was what Roy was heard to say repeatedly throughout his illness and right until the end.

In lieu of Cards & Flowers, it is by the request of the family that you please send a donation to:
The Roy Wooten Memorial Fund c/o
The Malaco Music Group
PO Box 9287
Jackson, MS 39286

For more information or photos of Roy please contact ESP Public Relations at 310.827.9727 or at esppr@aol.com

***

Roy "Mr. Malaco" Wooten

TBGB received this message courtesy of Sheilah Belle and The Belle Report:

It is with extreme sadness that we report the passing of Mr. “Malaco” Roy Wooten. We received the called here at The Belle Report around 9:40pm, Friday, June 16, 2006, that Mr. “Malaco” died just a few hours ago in a hospital Jackson, Mississippi.

On Wednesday, it was reported that he had just undergone chemotherapy and later returned to work. However sometime between then and this morning, he returned to the hospital, where he later died.

Last year Mr. Malaco was diagnosed with cancer while attending the Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) National Convention in Milwaukee. The GMWA family prayers followed their beloved member as he returned to the South for medical attention. Less than a year later, and just off of chemo treatments, the faithful Wooten, still made the trip and showed up.

"Mr. Malaco" Wooten. (known as Mr. Malaco because he has been with Malaco Records since the doors opened in 1967;) has been a tremendous asset to the company. In a brief phone interview earlier this evening, D. J. Johnson, Executive Director of the Malaco Gospel Division says, “Mr. Malaco was working in Radio Promotions, R & B Promotions and even worked in sales.”

“Mr. Malaco has also been a member of the Gospel Music Workshop of America since its inception. He was also the co-owner of Exclesisa Booking Agency and Promotions with his wife Esther.

The Belle Report will provide more information, as it becomes available. Look for a full press release from Malaco Records on Monday morning. Until that time, please keep Esther Wooten and her family in prayer…especially just two days before “Fathers Day.”

PBS show investigates Grafton records legend; Paramount recordings may be lurking in river

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. In addition to jazz, blues, and dance music, Paramount released dozens of spiritual and sermon recordings during its short but prolific tenure.

TBGB has heard that the specialist referred to below is none other than the "recording history detective" himself, Dick Spottswood.

By LAWRENCE SUSSMAN
lsussman@journalsentinel.com

Posted: June 8, 2006

Grafton - When Paramount Records closed its Grafton manufacturing plant in 1932, rumor has it that the record company dumped some of its master recordings and many of its 78 rpm records in the Milwaukee River near Falls and Green Bay roads.

That possibility brought a crew from the PBS show "History Detectives" to Grafton on Thursday, said Rachel Liebling, one of the show's producers.

"A lot of Paramount's inventory went missing," Liebling said while gazing at a series of waterfalls on the river. "People want to know what happened to the 78s and the master recordings."

So as part of a "History Detectives" episode on the history Paramount Records that is expected to air in August, four scuba divers were hired to scour the river's bottom for the master recordings and records. The divers work for the Deep Blue diving center in Milwaukee.

From 1922 until 1932, Paramount made roughly one-fourth of all blues recordings produced in the United States at the Wisconsin Chair Company factory in Grafton.

But would the dumped records be playable after more than 70 years in the Milwaukee River?

"You just don't know how well the shellac will hold up on the 78 records," she said. "But we hope to find out."

The PBS show has found a specialist who has equipment to listen to master recordings if any are found, she said.

The August episode also will tell viewers what happened to Paramount Records and will share something about some of the African-American musicians who came to Grafton, said Tukufu Zuberi, who will host the show.

The 1920s, he said, was a time when many African-Americans migrated to the North, and some of them brought their music with them.

"This town (Grafton) played a critical role in the democratic process" for African-Americans, he said. "So many of these people had experienced the Jim Crow practices.

"Their recordings," he said, "allowed you to listen to the heartbeat of these people and hear them talking about overcoming their problems."

Grafton Village President James Brunnquell watched the filming and allowed the scuba divers to set up their equipment at his home along the Milwaukee River.

The village plans this summer to construct a downtown outdoor meeting area, called Paramount Plaza, where some of the jazz and blues artists who made records in Grafton will be honored. The plaza will be at the three-way intersection of 12th and Wisconsin avenues and Bridge St.

Brunnquell said, "We hope that the television show will help to reintroduce people to the heritage of our village."



From the June 9, 2006 editions of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

TBGB Pick of the Week: June 12, 2006

“Over My Head”
Sounds of Blackness
From the album Unity
SLR Records 2005
www.soundsofblackness.com

It’s hard to categorize Sounds of Blackness – and if there’s one thing we reviewers like to do, it’s categorize – because they have recorded just about every type of music borne and bred in the African American tradition in the three-plus decades they have been around. But on “Over My Head,” from last year’s Unity CD, they are a traditional gospel choir. "Over My Head" is joyful, exhilarating, hand-clapping gospel singing, pure and simple. Although “traditional gospel choir” is a relatively new exploration for Sounds of Blackness, it is their best, if least complex, sound ever.

CD Review: Various Artists – Gospel Favorites

Various Artists
Gospel Favorites
Sound of New Orleans 2006
www.soundofneworleans.com

New Orleans author Lynn Abbott writes in the liner notes to this exquisite compilation: “On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina tore through New Orleans, and the levee system gave way. The floodwaters quickly reached Gary’s Sound of New Orleans studio on Canal Boulevard, and took it under.”

Such was also the fate of many New Orleans churches. Sound of New Orleans’s Gary J. Edwards decided to support the churches’ rebuilding efforts financially by doing what he does best: CD production. The result is Gospel Favorites, a compilation of 20 gospel tracks previously released on SONO projects between 1982 and 2004. Its profits are earmarked for church rebuilding efforts.

Aside from being a noble idea, Gospel Favorites is a great listen, from the very first track – an a cappella rendition of "Ezekiel" by stalwart quartet the Zion Harmonizers – to the sweep-through-the-aisles excitement of the New Orleans Spiritualettes, to Tara Darnell’s beautifully haunting rendition of “Amazing Grace.” The silky-smooth Bemiss Brothers are represented as are the Soulful Heavenly Stars, Voices of Distinction, Mighty Chariots of Fire (great name!), Melody Clouds, the Mahogany Brass Band and the Gospel Dedicators. David & Roselyn, local street singers (known as “buskers” in England), close out the project.

The Zion Harmonizers provide the brightest moments on the compilation, demonstrating that a cappella quartet singing is still some of the best sounding music on the planet, but all the singers and musicians prove their muster and N’awlins pride. Gospel Favorites is a must have, especially if you are into deep south quartet. And hey, it goes for a great cause.

Billy Preston, "Fifth Beatle" and Gospel Organist, Dies at 59

TBGB received this note from Tammy Taylor, who asked us to keep GMWA board member Rodena Preston and the rest of the family in our prayers at this time. Billy Preston was a talented gospel and soul organist who could just about make the Hammond Organ sing in tongues. Billy came from strong gospel stock: his mother, Robbie Preston Williams, was a well-known singer of gospel and spirituals on the West Coast. And let us not forget Billy's early hits on Vee Jay: "Billy's Bag" and "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying."

The great singer-songwriter and performer Billy Preston, the real "Fifth Beatle," has died after a long illness as a result of malignant hypertension that resulted in kidney failure and other complications.

As a result of a medical insult, he'd been in a deep coma since last November 21, but was still struggling to recover. He died at Shea Scottsdale Hospital in Scottsdale, Ariz., where he'd lived for the last couple of years.

Billy was called the Fifth Beatle because he played keyboards on "Let It Be," "The White Album" and "Abbey Road." He also played on the Rolling Stones' hit song "Miss You," and often played with Eric Clapton. He also did the organ work on Sly & the Family Stone's greatest hits.

Preston's own hits include "Nothing From Nothing," "Will It Go Round in Circles" and "You Are So Beautiful," which Joe Cocker turned into an international hit.

Preston was actually mentored by Ray Charles, and acts like Little Richard (see below), Mahalia Jackson and James Cleveland had a huge impact on him at a young age.

In the early '60s, Billy went to Europe with Little Richard who was playing in Hamburg. The Beatles were the opening act, and as the story goes, he was the one who made sure they got fed.

His friendship with them lasted through the 1960s and he was the first act signed to Apple Records, thanks to George Harrison. The resulting album is called "That's the Way God Planned It."

In 1971, Preston played in "The Concert for Bangladesh." Last year, in one of his final appearances, he performed at a reunion in Los Angeles for the release of the Bangladesh DVD with Clapton and Harrison's son Dhani on guitar.

More recently, Billy can be heard on the latest albums by Neil Diamond and Red Hot Chili Peppers. He's also featured on the Starbucks soul album "Believe to My Soul," featuring Mavis Staples and Ann Peebles.

Meanwhile, despite his illness, he continued to perform even though he had no working kidneys and was receiving dialysis. He was a warm, wonderful human being with a mile-wide smile. He was also a genius musician, the likes of whom we will not see again.

Written By Sheillah Belle of The Belle Report

CD Single Review: Linton Phillips and Hearts of Worship Ministries

“Come On Let’s Praise”
Linton Phillips and Hearts of Worship Ministries 2006
(708) 307-5483

At the moment, the only way to hear this performance by Linton Phillips and the Hearts of Worship Ministries is to catch the ensemble live or to tune into gospel radio, as I do not believe Phillips’s project is officially for sale yet. Nevertheless, “Come On Let’s Praise” is a pleasing though standard uptempo gospel with a pulsating beat and plenty of energy, courtesy of the Hearts of Worship team.

“Come On Let’s Praise” is the radio friendly track, but I found the ensemble’s slower-paced “All Praises” to be far more fascinating. The chorus of this performance requires the ensemble to navigate a complex chord progression that at first sounds improvised but is 100 percent deliberate.

Though it may be difficult to find their work commercially today, the Chicago based-Phillips and Hearts of Worship Ministries is certainly worth a closer listen.