Author: Libra Boyd

Libra Nicole Boyd, PhD is a musician, award-winning author, gospel music aficionado, and the founder and editor of Gospel Music Fever™. Her commitment to journalistic integrity includes bringing you reliable gospel music content that uplifts and advances the art form. Libra is presently working on several scholarly projects about gospel music in the media as well as gospel music in social movements.

Sizzlin’ This Week (9/19/11) – “Yet Love”

“Yet Love”
Luther Barnes & the Sunset Jubilaires
Atlanta International Records (2011)
www.malaco.com

Luther Barnes is recognized as much for his easy-listening ballads as for his driving quartet tunes and churchy choir numbers.

“Yet Love,” his new single with the Sunset Jubilaires, is soon to be another hallmark of the Barnes repertoire. Its message is one of overcoming life’s hurts and disappointments and choosing the spiritually mature path of love and forgiveness.

Over a warm electric piano–later accentuated with finger-snapping percussion, electric bass, and a full drum kit–Barnes croons beautifully crafted lyrics, recounting emotional journeys to which most relate–brokenness, abandonment, and loneliness.

“But the Word of God in you stood strong,” the Sunset Jubilaires declare. “You’ve learned how to yet love!”

Sizzlin’ This Week (9/12/11) – “Jesus”

“Jesus”
Le’Andria Johnson
From the CD, The Awakening of Le’Andria Johnson (2011)
http://musicworldent.com

If there is any doubt about why Le’Andria Johnson was a hit on season three of Sunday Best, it will vanish once you hear the slow, intensely soulful and passionate “Jesus” from her new project, The Awakening of Le’Andria Johnson.

Having penned the song–by singing it into her phone in an airport, it’s obvious that Johnson knows about calling Jesus from a dark, gut-wrenching place. Since winning last season’s show, she was faced with the passing of her brother; she also confronted a bout with alcohol that began with occasional wine drinking. There’s no mistaking that this song’s lyrics (“…I needed to break out and get freedom/One bad decision after the next, just getting by…”) are a part of her testimony.

Johnson calls Jesus like she’s desperate for rescue, and throughout she unashamedly points listeners to the One who lifts from sin and shame: “Jesus–call Him like you want Him, call Him like you need Him!”

Rev. James Herndon and chorus present concert of gospel pearls

 

 

Rev. James Herndon of the famed Caravans (1959-1967), and the Interdenominational Male Chorus gave a rousing concert Sunday afternoon at Durham’s Mt. Gilead Baptist Church.  Under Rev. Herndon’s direction, the chorus’s performances included hymns as well as classics by Jessy Dixon (“I Am Redeemed”), Albertina Walker (“I Can Go to God in Prayer”), Alvin Darling (“All Night”), and Walter Hawkins (“Marvelous”).  In addition to directing, in trademark fashion, Rev. Herndon moved the audience with his sermonic introductory narratives to each selection.
 
The Interdenominational Male Chorus was founded in the Triangle area in 2002.  The choir’s accompanist is Lennis Cooper, Jr.
 
Also appearing on the program was the soulful female quintet, Powerful Elegance.
 
GMF’s Libra Boyd has posted “I Can Go to God in Prayer,” featuring Rev. Herndon and the choir on YouTube: The Caravans’ Rev. James Herndon Sings!!.

 

Photo by Libra Boyd

Sizzlin’ This Week (9/5/11) – “How Many Will Be Remembered?”

“How Many Will Be Remembered?”
Shirley Caesar
From the DVD, After 40 Years: Still Sweeping Through the City (2007)
Light Records/Shubel

Originally released in the 1970’s on vinyl, “How Many Will Be Remembered?” is dually a salute and a poignant reminder of all the unheralded heroes and heroines who have made sacrifices for the good of mankind.

The song’s lyrics prove to be both timeless and timely.  “How Many Will Be Remembered?” tops my personal video playlist for this week as we celebrate the recent Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial dedication, and as we commemorate the tragedies of September 11, 2001.

You can watch Pastor Caesar’s performance of the song here.

Legal Battles in Gospel Music: “Nobody Greater” and Mahalia Jackson

Two gospel music legal battles are in the news this week.  At the core of both are copyright infringement allegations.

Songwriter Travis Malloy has filed a suit against EMI Christian Music Group, Inc., Sony Music Entertainment, Inc. and Darius Paulk, claiming that he was not given co-writing credits for Vashawn Mitchell’s version of “Nobody Greater.”  As a result, it is reported that Malloy seeks one million dollars in damages.

According to www.examiner.com, Paulk, the anthem’s credited writer, insists that he is the sole composer of the work and Malloy’s “claim is baseless.”

Meanwhile in Atlanta, Bishop Frank E. Lott-Johnson was given until today to deliver a copy of the biography Just Halia, Baby to the court, in an effort to prove that playwright Tom Stolz used content from his copyrighted work for the play “Mahalia: A Gospel Musical” without permission.  Lott-Johnson is the copyright claimant of the biography.

Last month, the bishop also claimed ownership of Jackson’s name.  The judge dismissed several of the original allegations as “too vague” and “frivolous.” Lott-Johnson subsequently filed an amendment to his complaint and is expected to provide a copy of the biography and each infringed-upon work that he cited in the amendment.

Sizzlin’ This Week (8/29/11) – “I Smile”

“I Smile”
Kirk Franklin
From the CD, Hello Fear (2011)
www.kirkfranklin.com

If there’s one thing I celebrate about Kirk Franklin, it’s the consistent quality of his music.  Some say that his material hasn’t been all that great since his days with The Family; I’m not sure what specific contrasts his critics are making.

I am sure, however, that each of Kirk’s albums gives me a greater appreciation for the clarity of his messages about Jesus through relevant themes, relatable lyrics, and a radio-worthy musical soundtrack.

Who can’t use an encouraging word these days? This is why “I Smile” is my pick this week.  It’s awfully hard not to feel better–and “look so much better”–when you smile.

John K. Thorpe honored at "house-wrecking" appreciation musical

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Thankfully, the modest structure of Timberlake, NC’s New Hope Person Missionary Baptist Church is still intact after the major house-wrecking that occurred there Saturday night, August 20th.

 
The occasion was an appreciation musical for John Kermit Thorpe, lead singer of sibling group, the Thorpe Family and a long-time member of the Brower Brothers of New Jersey.  The four hour celebration, emceed by WRXO’s David Ramsey, featured hard-driving quartet music from the Thorpe Family, New Hope Person Male Chorus–of which Thorpe is also a member, the Spiritual Lights of Rougemont, New Creation, the True Lights of Bahama, the Spiritual Messengers, 14 year-old Tahmique Cameron, and Minister Brenda Hunt-Moore, who when describing Thorpe’s passion, commented that he is the only person she knows who will travel “a thousand miles to sing one song, won’t get paid a dime, and will come back just as happy as he can be.”  Among several other tributes and presentations–some tearful and some humorous–were congratulatory letters from Mayor Bill Bell of Durham and the Durham County Board of Commissioners, and special remarks from host pastor, Rev. W.L. Richardson.
 
At the close of the evening, Thorpe expressed his gratitude to the near capacity crowd before singing “Child of God” from his CD In His Name, followed by James Fortune’s “I Believe” as a special dedication to his wife, Stella.
 
Thorpe was honored for his community involvement, his dedication to gospel music, and his contributions throughout the east coast in advancement of the art form.
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Below left:  James Thorpe (left) and brother McCollins transform “He Understands, He’ll Say ‘Well Done'” into a high-gear foot stomper with the Thorpe Family.

Below center: RuBena Cooper-Woods (front) loosens the ceiling tiles with “I’m Working on the Building.”  The group New Creation was among the house-wreckers at John K. Thorpe’s appreciation musical.  The honoree is in the background, behind Cooper-Woods, looking on.

Below right:  John and Stella Thorpe enjoy one of the numerous tributes of the four-hour service.

Sizzlin' This Week (8/22/11) – "Turnin' Things Around"

“Turnin’ Things Around”
George, Jr.
From the CD, The Signature of “G”
www.trueideasmusicentertainment.com

George Dickens, Jr. is the Stellar Award-winning songwriter behind Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson’s hit song “I Made It,” from his 2006 Just Being Me album (also featured on WOW Gospel 2007).  The Oak City, NC native is also a frontman and songwriter in his father’s group, George Dickens and the Gospel Disciples.

His recent effort is a solo project, The Signature of “G” which features “Turnin’ Things Around.”  An uplifting mid-tempo tune from start to finish, Dickens testifies of God’s provision and protection before cruising into a vamp that deposits in the spirits of all who’ll believe: “He’s turnin’ things around,” “He’s workin’ it out,” and “I can feel it!”

With Dickens’ Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson-esque lead, tight background vocals, and a laid-back yet forward-moving music arrangement laced with a sweet rhythm guitar, “Turnin’ Things Around” is my pick this week!

Sizzlin’ This Week (8/15/11) – “Work It Out”

“Work It Out”
Evelyn Turrentine-Agee
From the CD, There’s Gonna Be A Meeting (2010)
www.shanachie.com

She’s called the “Queen of Quartet.”  There’s a good reason for that–actually there are several.  Her smash hit “God Did It” is just one.  Her current foot-stomper “Work It Out” is another.

Turrentine-Agee just knows what to do with a quartet groove.  You won’t catch her over-singing and you won’t find her doling out random phrases just to fill up a run and shout an audience.  She doesn’t utilize showy stage antics.  She just ministers with conviction, out of her own experiences with her personal testimonies: “My children needed shoes/My home was in a mess/God worked for me…”

“Work It Out” is everything quartet: hand claps, toe taps, a rhythmic lead guitar (Alton Hollis), call and response, and a run that will move the hatted church mothers into the aisles in a holy dance.

Dr. Zachery Tims, megachurch pastor and TV/radio host, has died

GMF is sad to share that WFTV in Orlando has confirmed that Dr. Zachery Tims, senior pastor and founder of New Destiny Christian Center (NDCC) in Apopka, FL, has died.  The cause of death is not available at this time.  He was 42.
Dr. Tims founded NDCC in 1996.  It has grown to a congregation of over 8,000 people, according to the church’s website.  He was not only a well known pastor, but an author, life coach, prominent TV personality and frequent host on TBN’s “Praise the Lord.”
In addition to pastoring, Dr. Tims released a music project on the Zion Records label in 2006 entitled ‘Dr. Zachery Tims Presents’ A New Praise.  Most recently, he was the host of the Orlando radio show, “102 Gospel Jamz.”
Please join GMF in keeping his family and church in your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.