CD Review: Norris Garner - He's Blessing Me

CD Review:
He’s Blessing Me
Norris Garner
(Private press 2006)
http://www.norrisgarner.com/

Some independent productions ought to remain independent. Others, however, are deserving of major label attention and wider distribution. Norris Garner’s He’s Blessing Me belongs in the latter category.

He’s Blessing Me is a superb project. The title track not only has hit potential, but the composition was featured on the PBS documentary American Roots Music. In the documentary, Garner is teaching his song to the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses in New Orleans.

“Magnify Him” is a workout that introduces us to the project’s surprise treat, the magnificent Nikita Sutton. The crystal-clear quality of Sutton’s voice appears on the sonic horizon like a brilliant shooting star, and on “Angels Watching Over Me,” she really works her magic, though the arrangement of this classic is not my favorite (it’s hard to top the Angelic Gospel Singers’ simple but effective version).

“Oh How I Love Jesus” and “I’ve Come to Praise the Lord” are performed movingly by the group in the old time way, with “I’ve Come” an electrifying elaboration on the Biblical Gospel Singers’ 1960s hit for the Peacock subsidiary, Song Bird. It is the song you will want to play over and over again.

Garner clearly knows how to prick the hearts of gospel fans and newbies alike, having even made his mark as a performer and workshop instructor in Poland and Scandinavia. In fact, there’s a photo on Garner’s website that shows him working to a Polish or Danish crowd. The young, largely stoic faces seem incongruous at a gospel concert, but faintly blossoming smiles on some of the audience members give one a sense that Garner is getting through.

The production quality of He’s Blessing Me is crisp, and the song choice and placement is thoughtful and deliberate. I sincerely hope a major label picks this production up, and that Nikita Sutton makes her mark as a solo artist a.s.a.p.

Homegoing for Paul Arnold, Member of the Gospelaires of Dayton, OH

The following obituary was shared with TBGB by Eric LeBlanc. Another soldier gone.

ARNOLD, Mr. Paul A. “Easy”, age 74, of Dayton, passed away Sunday, October 22, 2006 at his residence.

A native Daytonian, he attended Roosevelt High School and was a veteran of the United States Navy. Paul accepted God at an early age. This was shown by his soulful & heartfelt singing. He was the lead singer of the Gospelairs of Dayton, who attained fame worldwide. With his deep love of God & music, he unselfishly devoted his time to help form numerous gospel & pop groups that are still singing today.

Preceded in death by his grandmother, Sathee Smith; mother, Ressie Stevens; father, James Arnold; aunts, Mary Cleveland, Lucy Walker; brothers, Lucious & James Arnold; grandson, Paul Alex Arnold, III. Survivors include his loving children, Khadijah Ali Seldon, Shaheeda A. (Shaheed) Saleem, Paul (Helen) Arnold, Jr., of Columbus, OH, Jerome Bruce (Jocelyn) Arnold, Marvyne Dixon; aunt, Flora Stevens; uncle, Ralph Smith; lifelong companion, Margaret Powell; special friend, Eva Mae Shaw; 13 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, 1 great-great grandson; special friends & surviving members of the Gospelairs of Dayton, Joe Brown, Charles McClean, Marvin Lattimore; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins & close friends.

Funeral service will be held 11 am Friday, October 27, 2006 at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 502 Pontiac Street. Pastor Ronnie Hoard officiating. Interment Dayton National Cemetery. Visitation 9 am Friday at the church until the time of service. Family will receive friends one hour prior to service. Arrangements entrusted to the HOUSE OF WHEAT Funeral Home, Inc., 2107 North Gettysburg Avenue.

Special thanks to Hospice of Dayton for their support and care and Mr. Jim Johnson of WDAO Radio for his love and support. Online condolences may be expressed at houseofwheat@woh.rr.com

Clark Sisters Reunion - from AOL Black Voices

THE CLARK SISTERS:
Reunited And It Feels So Good
By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices

The legendary gospel group Clark Sisters is getting back into the swing of things, with the recent announcement of an exclusive recording deal which will reunite all four powerhouse vocalists.

EMI Gospel announced the signing of the pioneering sibling outfit (who topped the charts in 1981 with the genre-transcending song "You Brought The Sunshine") for an untitled reunion album, slated for release next March.

Detroit's native daughters Jacky, Twinkie, Dorinda and Karen recorded the project live at Houston’s renowned George Brown Convention Center earlier this year. Produced by multiple award winning gospel music visionary Donald Lawrence, the opus will be the first new project from the illustrious group in over a decade.

"Event releases don't come everyday," said EMI Gospel Vice President/General Manager, Larry Blackwell. "The Clark Sisters Reunion-Live release in every way defines one. [We are] honored to continue being a part of the Clark Family legacy by releasing this must have CD to the legions of fans. Of all the recent, important "reunion" releases none is more eagerly anticipated than The Clark Sisters!"

Touche.

According to a label spokesperson, the 11-track album will feature seven newly recorded Clark Sisters classics, along with a medley and solo performances. Marking a great signification of the Clark Sisters living legacy, this album will introduce newer gospel music fans to the unsurpassable vocal capabilities of some of the fiercest female voices singing the Good News Blues.

And if that's not enough, R&B powerhouses (more familiar to newer, secular audiences) such as SWV front-woman Cheryl "Coko" Clemmons, 'American Idol' winner Fantasia, Faith Evans and Lil' Mo pays a fitting tribute to the Clark Sisters with a remake of their classic track "Endow Me,"which BV's very own gossip guru Jawn Murray first reported about. The track was executive produced by music industry visionary Phil Thornton and will appear on Coko's debut gospel album, 'Grateful,' due in stores Oct. 31.

TBGB thanks Bro. Joseph Middleton from Houston for alerting us to this blog article.

(photo courtesy: EMI Gospel)

CD Review: Dr. Lou Della Evans-Reid and The Ship

Celebrating the Life, Legacy and Love of Dr. Lou Della Evans-Reid
Various Artists, featuring Rev. Dr. Clay Evans & Fellowship M.B. Church Reunion Choir
Private production of Fellowship M.B. Church 2006
(773) 924-3232
www.fellowshipmbchurch.org

This recording doesn’t just belong in your gospel collection, it belongs in the Smithsonian.

Say “Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church,” and traditional gospel music comes immediately to mind. Among a handful of Chicago churches that have secured their place in history with a stack of critically-acclaimed recordings and shelves full of well-deserved accolades, Fellowship – known simply as “The Ship” – has been The Old Landmark for many gospel and popular music artists.

The Ship’s excellence in musical performance is due in large part to the direction of Dr. Lou Della Evans-Reid, the sister of Fellowship’s founder, the Rev. Dr. Clay Evans. In 2005, alumni of the Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church Choir reunited on the occasion of Evans-Reid’s 75th birthday to celebrate her life and legacy, and what a time they had! Some of the musical performances and testimonials were captured on CD by the church, and the result is a project that puts a capital T on the word “traditional.”

Following a high-spirited reading of the appropriate “What a Fellowship,” the choir launches into one of the most dramatically sung renditions of “The Lord’s Prayer” that you will ever hear. Later, Felicia Coleman Evans imitates well-known members of the choir on a medley that elicits shouts of recognition and appreciation from the audience, though I wish we had been privy to the names of the persons being imitated.

“New Name in Glory” is an absolute church-wrecker. The spirit is so high on this song that it seems as if the choir and musicians cannot end it. The song spills over into a separate reprise track, on which strong-voiced Duncanaire Delores “Honey” Sykes encourages the congregation and choir to stay in the spirit.

Another “oldie but goodie” choir, the First Church of Deliverance, is also in the house to pay homage to Evans-Reid, presenting “He’s Been So Good” and Dorsey's classic “Jesus is the Light.” Rev. Dr. Clay Evans is featured on “It Is No Secret,” and his follow-up remarks, though more reflection than sermon, stir the Holy Ghost in at least one participant.

Also on hand to pay tribute is contemporary gospel artist and Chicago announcer DeAndre Patterson, who offers “Great Things,” a treat for those who prefer the modern sound, though its inclusion in the celebration accentuates the dramatic stylistic difference between traditional and contemporary gospel.

Evans-Reid’s public acknowledgement towards the end of the program tickles the funny bone and warms the heart with her genuinely humble and gracious remarks. "Those of you not 75," she notes, "you don't know what you're missing. Try to get to 75...eat oatmeal every day!"

Loads of other gospel stars are present on this marvelous recording, including Rev. Billy Jones; Billy's son, producer Bryant Jones; and Fred Nelson III, who produces the tribute. The only problem is that, like the old television sales line, the CD is not available in stores. You need to contact the church at the telephone number above to obtain a copy. But if you love traditional gospel, do give The Ship a call and get this CD. Even if you don’t love traditional, you owe it to yourself to hear why Chicago, and more specifically, the South Side, is still the gospel choir capitol of the world.

2007 Stellar Awards Nominees

Here are the nominees for the 2007 Stellar Awards. The Stellars will be awarded during a special televised ceremony at the Grand Ole Opry, Nashville, TN, January 13, 2007.

Special thanks to Tammy Taylor for passing the list on to TBGB.

Artist of the Year
Kirk Franklin; Hero; Fo Yo Soul Entertainment
Donald Lawrence presents The Tri-City Singers; Finale: Act One; EMI Gospel
Martha Munizzi; No Limits... Live; Integrity Gospel
Tye Tribbett & G.A.; Kingdom University presents Tye Tribbett & G.A., Victory LIVE!; Sony Gospel

Song of the Year (Songwriter; Song; Label)
Myron Butler; "Set Me Free"; EMI Gospel
Kirk Franklin, Patrice Rushen, C. Sims, S. Brown, F. Washington; "Looking For You"; Fo Yo Soul Entertainment
Isaiah D. Thomas; "I Will Bless The Lord"; GospoCentric
Mario Winans, CeCe Winans; "Pray";PureSprings Gospel

Choir of the Year
Lamar Campbell & Spirit of Praise; From The Heart; Alliant Music Group
Donald Lawrence presents The Tri-City Singers; Finale: Act One; EMI Gospel
Malcolm Williams & Great Faith; Walking In My Destiny; Univocal
Youthful Praise featuring James Hairston; Live! The Praise... The Worship; Evidence Gospel

Producer of the Year
Kirk Franklin; Hero (Kirk Franklin); Fo Yo Soul Entertainment
Donald Lawrence; Donald Lawrence Presents the Tri-City Singers-Finale: Act One; EMI Gospel
Fred Hammond; Better Than That (The Singletons); Verity
Mario Winans, Tommy Sims, Keith Thomas, Andy Shelby; Purified (CeCe Winans) ; PureSprings Gospel

Group Duo of the Year
Myron Butler & Levi; Set Me Free; EMI Gospel
Darrell McFadden & The Disciples; I've Got A Right; EMI Gospel
The Williams Brothers & Their Superstar Friends; Soul Link Live 3 - Man In The Mirror; Blackberry Records
Rev. Wesley Woods & The Hebrew Gospel Singers Live In Houston; GC Productions

New Artist of the Year
Myron Butler & Levi; Set Me Free; EMI Gospel
Euclid Gray; Father Guide Me; Malaco Records
Darrell Petties & Strength in Praise; Count It All Joy; EMI Gospel
Briana Scott; While I'm Here; Waterbrooke Music

Male Vocalist of the Year
Myron Butler; Set Me Free; EMI Gospel
Byron Cage; An Invitation To Worship; Gospo Centric
Israel Houghton; ALIVE in South Africa; Integrity Gospel
Tye Tribbett; Kingdom University presents Tye Tribbett & G.A., Victory — LIVE!;; Sony Gospel

Female Vocalist of the Year
Shirley Caesar; I Know The Truth; Shu-Bel Records
Dorinda Clark-Cole;Live From Houston - The Rose of Gospel; GospoCentric
Kierra 'Kiki' Sheard; This Is Me; EMI Gospel
CeCe Winans; Purified ; PureSprings Gospel

Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year
Myron Butler; Set Me Free; EMI Gospel
Lyric Sings; Brand New Day; Canvas Records
The Singletons; Better Than That; Verity
Virtue; Testimony; Darkchild Gospel

CD of the Year
Kirk Franklin; Hero; Fo Yo Soul Entertainment
Israel & New Breed; ALIVE in South Africa; Integrity Gospel
Donald Lawrence presents The Tri-City Singers; Finale: Act One; EMI Gospel
Tye Tribbett & G.A.; Kingdom University presents Tye Tribbett & G.A., Victory LIVE!; Sony Gospel

Traditional Group/Duo of the Year
Keith Wonderboy Johnson & The Spiritual Voices; Just Being Me; Verity Records
Darrell Petties & Strength in Praise; Count It All Joy; EMI Gospel
The Legendary Craig Brothers; Live in Detroit; Majestic Records
The Williams Brothers & Their Superstar Friends; Soul Link Live 3 - Man In The Mirror; Blackberry Records

Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year
Myron Butler & Levi; Set Me Free; EMI Gospel
Darwin Hobbs; Worshipper; EMI Gospel
Tye Tribbett & G.A.; Kingdom University presents Tye Tribbett & G.A., Victory LIVE!; Sony Gospel
Israel Houghton; ALIVE in South Africa; Integrity Gospel

Traditional Male Vocalist of the Year
Bishop Paul Morton; The Williams Brothers present Bishop Paul Morton - On Broken Pieces - A Hurricane Relief Project; Blackberry Records
Bishop Larry D. Trotter; Already Looking Bettah!; Tyscot
Melvin Williams; Soul Link Live 3 - Man in the Mirror ; Blackberry Records
Bishop G.E. Patterson; Bishop G.E. Patterson & Congregation - Singing the Old Time Way Volume 2; Podium Records

Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year
Yolanda Adams; Day by Day; Atlantic
Martha Munizzi; No Limits... Live ; Integrity Gospel
Karen Clark Sheard; It's Not Over; Word
CeCe Winans; Purified ; PureSprings Gospel

Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year
Eddie Ruth Bradford; Saved By Grace; Juana Praise Records
Shirley Caesar; I Know The Truth ; Shu-Bel Records
Dorinda Clark-Cole; Live from Houston - The Rose of Gospel; GospoCentric
Mavis Staples; Uncloudy Days ; Light Records

Contemporary CD of the Year
Kirk Franklin; Hero; Fo Yo Soul Entertainment
Donald Lawrence presents The Tri-City Singers; Finale: Act One; EMI Gospel
Israel Houghton & New Breed; ALIVE in South Africa; Integrity Gospel
Tye Tribbett & G.A.; Kingdom University presents Tye Tribbett & G.A., Victory LIVE!; Sony Gospel

Traditional CD of the Year
Dorinda Clark-Cole; Live from Houston - The Rose of Gospel; GospoCentric
New Life Community Choir featuring John. P. Kee; The Reunion ; Verity Records
The Williams Brothers & Their Superstar Friends; Soul Link Live 3 - Man In The Mirror; Blackberry Records
Bishop G.E. Patterson; Bishop G.E. Patterson & Congregation - Singing the Old Time Way Volume 2; Podium Records

Urban/ Inspirational Single / Performance of the Year (Artist; Song; Label)
Israel & New Breed; "Turn It Around"; Integrity Gospel
Kierra 'Kiki' Sheard; "This Is Me"; EMI Gospel
Tye Tribbett & G.A.; "Victory"; Sony Gospel
CeCe Winans; "He's Concerned"; PureSprings Gospel

Traditional Choir of the Year
Luther Barnes & Red Budd Gospel Choir; Somehow, Someway; AIR Gospel
New Life Community Choir featuring John. P. Kee; The Reunion ; Verity Records
Reed's Temple Choir; Now Is The Time ; New Haven Records
Hezekiah Walker & LFC; 20/85 - The Experience; Verity Records

Contemporary Choir of the Year
Myron Butler & Levi Set Me Free; EMI Gospel
Donald Lawrence presents The Tri-City Singers; Finale: Act One; EMI Gospel
New Direction; Send The Praise; GospoCentric
Youthful Praise featuring James Hairston; Live! The Praise... The Worship; Evidence Gospel

Instrumental CD of the Year
Ramsey Lewis; With One Voice; Narada Jazz
Kevin Burroughs Neeley; Fingers of Fire - Volume 1 ; MTF Records
Quiet Time Players; Sunday Morning Jams Vol. 2; Alliant Music Group
Kevin Turner; Him ; See Son Records / Marina Park Records

Special Event CD of the Year
DaCapo (Emmanuel O. Edili); Simply DaCapo II:II ; True Life Jazz
Donald Lawrence presents The Tri-City Singers; Finale: Act One; EMI Gospel
Various; Future Leaders Outreach Network Presents... Pursue Your Dreams; True Life
Various; Stellar Awards 21st Anniversary ; Light Records

Rap/Hip Hop Gospel CD of the Year
Da' T.R.U.T.H.; Cross Movement Records Presents... Da' T.R.U.T.H. ; Cross Movement Records
Lecrae; Real Talk ; Cross Movement Records
DaCapo (Emmanuel O. Edili); Simply DaCapo II:II ; True Life Jazz
Various; Future Leaders Outreach Network Presents... Pursue Your Dreams; True Life

Children's Performance of the Year
Lil Rufus; Lil Rufus sings for the Holidays; Verity Records
The Bradby Girls; The Bradby Girls Present Restoration
Youth For Christ; The Struggle Is Over; Emtro Gospel
Various; Future Leaders Outreach Network Presents... Pursue Your Dreams; True Life

Quartet of the Year
The Jackson Southernaires; Reality; Marxan
Darrell McFadden & The Disciples; I've Got A Right; EMI Gospel
The Williams Brothers & Their Superstar Friends; Soul Link Live 3 - Man In The Mirror; Blackberry Records
Keith Wonderboy Johnson & The Spiritual Voices; Just Being Me; Verity Records

Music Video of the Year (artist, song/CD title, label)
Kirk Franklin; "Looking For You"/ Hero; Fo Yo Soul Entertainment
Donald Lawrence presents the Tri City Singers; Finale: Act One; EMI Gospel
Donnie McClurkin featuring Kirk Franklin; "Ooh Child" / WOW GOspel 2006; Verity Records
CeCe Winans; "Purified" Purified; PureSprings Gospel

Recorded Music Package of the Year [art credit / album (artist) / label]
Denise Trotman (art direction and design); Ronald Cadiz (photography); An Invitation to Worship (Byron Cage); GospoCentric
Philpott Design (art direction and design); Jay Blakesberg (photography); Donald Lawrence presents the Tri City Singers - Finale: Act One; EMI Gospel
Courtney Walker (art direction and design); Mark Mann (photography); Hero (Kirk Franklin); Verity
Denise Trotman (art direction); Sean M. Kinney (design); Ronald Cadiz (photography); 28/85 The Experience (Hezekiah Walker & LFC); Verity

Praise and Worship CD of the Year
Juanita Bynum; A Piece of My Passion; Flow Records
Byron Cage; An Invitation to Worship; GospoCentric
Vicki Yohe; He's Been Faithful; PureSprings Gospel
Kevin Burroughs Neeley; Fingers of Fire - Volume 1 ; MTF Records

CD Single Review: Neal Roberson - "It's On the Way"

CD Single Review:
“It’s On the Way”
Neal Roberson
From the CD Awesome God
Blackberry Records 2006
http://www.blackberryrecords.com/

Everybody loves Neal, and his bubbling-over personality is once again the driving force on his latest hit, “It’s On the Way.” Accompanied by a tambourine-driven rhythm that sounds straight from the musical Stomp, Neal announces that he’s “hangin’ out at the Blackberry camp” (gospel music camp – now THERE’s an idea!). The stomp transitions to a mid-tempo quartet strut as Neal performs call-and-response with the choir. Hitting the homestretch, the ensemble breaks into full vocal gallop.

“It’s On the Way” is three performances in one, each section more engaging than the previous.

CD Single Review: Fred Martin & the Levite Camp

CD Single Review:
“Crossroads/Until I Found the Lord”
Fred Martin & the Levite Camp
From the CD Some Bridges
Concord Records 2006
www.concordmusicgroup.com

If you believe the folktale that Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil so he could become a blues guitar prodigy, you will find it improbable that anyone would dare mix Johnson’s down and dirty “Crossroads Blues” with the sacred staple, “Until I Found the Lord.” Fred Martin & the Levite Camp accepted the dare, got Jackson Browne to co-produce, and the amalgam came out delightfully well. The combination offers a powerful message, too.

The musical vibe of Fred Martin’s “Crossroads” is more Cream/Clapton than Johnson, except for the opening strains of authentic bottleneck guitar courtesy of Keb’ Mo’. But aside from a tossed-in verse from Johnson’s “Traveling Riverside Blues,” “Crossroads” is all about being so down and out that only the Lord can save you. “Until I Found the Lord” offers that salvation. The end result of this secular and sacred coupling is soul redemption, the Levite Camp singing “Victory” as the song concludes.

“Crossroads/Until I Found the Lord” is so inspired it could single-handedly absolve Johnson of any sinful deal he may have made at the crossroads in Rosedale, Mississippi.

CD Review: The Man From Nazareth – Edward Boatner

The Man From Nazareth (Edward Boatner)
Boatner Spiritual Chorale
Heller Recordings 2006
www.themanfromnazareth.com

The first sentence of the narrative that opens The Man From Nazareth says it all: “This is the story of Jesus told by American Blacks as they related it to their own lives and hopes.”

In 1971, Edward Boatner (1898 – 1981) stitched together 21 spirituals of his own arrangement, prefacing most of them with a short narrative in the style of the Wings over Jordan. The spirituals and narrations that comprise The Man From Nazareth recant in chronological order the story of Jesus from birth to resurrection. Each spiritual, the piece suggests, represents African Americans’ musical interpretation of the sacred stories as reflective of their own experiences surviving the daily horrors and dangers of chattel slavery in America.

Boatner wrote straightforward, off-the-rack arrangements, far less dramatic than contemporaries William Dawson and Hall Johnson, who developed more complex, rhythmic interplays between vocal parts than is apparent in Boatner's work. Then again, Boatner’s first arrangement, “Give Me Jesus” (1918), has a melodic and harmonic simplicity that is simply breathtaking, on par with Dawson's and Johnson's catalogues.

What’s most impressive is the work’s inclusion of rarely-heard but nonetheless lovely spirituals, such as “New Born,” “Done Found My Lost Sheep,” and “They Led My Lord Away.” If anything, the opus favors lesser-known spirituals and leaves out the universally recognizable ones such as “Deep River,” “Were You There,” and “Swing Low Sweet Chariot.” I find this one of the piece's most endearing characteristics.

Although The Man From Nazareth has been produced numerous times by amateur and professional choruses and soloists since its debut 35 years ago, this is the first time it has been preserved on CD. Vondi Curtis Hall does a fine job as narrator on the recording, and the soloists – including Irving Hunter, Sarah Boatner Alias, and Barbara Hunter – take each piece up a notch with their high-quality performances. The chorus’s best moment is on “This Wicked Race,” as they interpret to perfection Boatner’s staccato-like rhythm, which is strikingly reminiscent of shape-note singing.

By the conclusion of The Man From Nazareth, we can appreciate the truth of the narrator’s final statement: “The spirituals are probably the earliest and most fertile source of true American music.” I would not have used the word "probably." The spirituals truly ARE the earliest and most fertile source of true American music.

The Man From Nazareth makes for a pleasant listen, an ardent reminder of the beauty of the spirituals, and an important work for schools to include in their music curricula.

CD Single Review: Clarissa Smith -- "Tis So Sweet"

“Tis So Sweet”
Clarissa Smith
From the CD God Has Got Your Back
Heaven Sent Records 2005
www.gospelswap.com/clarissasmith

The fact that Clarissa Smith is the sister of jazz/blues diva Dinah Washington unfairly overshadows her own accomplishments as a music educator at Chicago’s Calumet High School, where she taught gospel luminaries such as Walt Whitman and Rev. Walter Butts how to sing.

Now it’s Clarissa’s turn in the spotlight, and on God Has Got Your Back she offers up a dignified rendition of “Tis So Sweet.” The simple piety of her reading fits the hymn perfectly, and the accompanist’s cascading runs on the keyboard give the recording a Christmas vibe, though “Tis So Sweet” will please the faithful in any season.

TBGB Pick of the Week: October 9, 2006

“Tell the Lord Thank You”
Min. Theodore Gilmore, Jr. & Friends Music Ministry
Produced by Montage Pheloan for J.R. Murray Group
2006

“This is my little quartet song,” remarks Min. Theodore Gilmore, Jr., as his group launches into “Tell the Lord Thank You,” an uptempo gospel blues complete with the classic I-IV-V verse structure.

Gilmore employs the verses to remind us to thank God for a number of blessings (e.g., new job, new house) and hooks an explosive gospel shout to the end of nearly every one as if to hammer home his point. If I hadn’t heard this song performed live, I would say that the shouts sound for all the world as if Gilmore is sampling Edwin Starr’s classic vocal blasts on “War,” but it’s live Gilmore.

By the song's vamp, the drummer is crashing the high-hats, the classic quartet strut-rhythm is in full swing, the choir is having church....all in all, an auspicious recording debut for this Chicago-based group.

CD Single Review -- Henry Green feat. John P. Kee

“There’s Been a Change”
Henry Green, feat. John P. Kee
From the Blackberry album Mr. Green’s Session
2006
www.blackberryrecords.com

Williams Brothers alumnus Henry Green gets top billing on the solid “There’s Been a Change,” but the song really belongs to special guest John P. Kee, who shouts his testimony as if he were a Williams Brothers alum. Kee is so emphatic about his testimony that at the end, he suggests that if you don’t believe him, just call his wife.

Kee punctuates his section with good old gospel hollers that sound part sanctified, part Jay Hawkins diabolic, as if every shout were an attempt at joyful exorcism. Likely they are, and from the sound of it, they worked.

The Caravans on National Public Radio

From D.A. Johnson of Malaco Records:

While The Caravans were in Los Angeles last week, they had the opportunity to sit down with award winning journalist Mr. Tony Cox at the NPR studios which aired nationally on their stations, Tuesday, October 3, 2006.

If you didn’t get an opportunity to hear The Caravans’ interview on News & Notes with Tony Cox, just click on the link below:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6187186

TBGB Pick of the Week: October 2, 2006

“He’s Here”
Niyoki
2006
From the D2G Records CD My Everything
www.niyoki.com

Niyoki’s RnB-soaked gospel track “He’s Here” reminds me of the medium-tempo dance songs I used to enjoy on “Soul Train”: it possesses an easy, loping, hypnotic beat that more than makes up for the lack of a clever hook or memorable melody.

Niyoki has a musical biography that starts at early childhood, when she traveled and recorded with her gospel-singing family. Along the way, she spent time as a back-up singer for Prince and opened, with her sisters, for A-list RnB acts such as Boys II Men and R. Kelly. She’s come full circle to gospel.

It’s no surprise, then, that Niyoki’s CD My Everything provides a sample of her various musical experiences to date, especially church-rousing singing and cool jazzy and RnB vibes, such as on “He’s Here.”

Although I personally like “He’s Here” for the reasons I enjoyed those mid-tempo dance discs on “Soul Train,” I’ll admit it’s not the kind of song that typically brings church folk to their feet. I suspect it will be appreciated more in gospel clubs and on urban gospel radio.

CD Single Review: Elder Jimmy Hicks and the V.O.I.

“This Kind by Fasting and Prayer”
Elder Jimmy Hicks and the Voices of Integrity
Worldwide Music, Inc.
2005

“This Kind by Fasting and Prayer” is a similar sounding follow-up to the group’s enjoyable hit, “Born Blessed,” and on the same CD as the latter, but in Elder Hicks’ case, sound-alike is a good thing.

Once again, the 43 year-old Elder Hicks tells a musical story with that old Louis Jordan-esque twinkle in his eye as he calls out church people who diss one another to their faces. The V.O.I. serve as head-shaking empathizers, a gospel version of a Greek chorus pointing out the obvious.

“This Kind” is Hicks as preacher-diplomat, picking up pieces of the broken Golden Rule off the church floor, wrapping them in the Word, and handing them back to congregants with a smile and furrowed brow.