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.

Speak Myself Free – Robert Jamison and Victory

Robert Jamison and Victory
Speak Myself Free
RJM Publishing (2011)
www.robertjamisonandvictory.com

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Robert Jamison and Victory are on a mission to spread the hope and joy of salvation to all who will receive their message.  The Kentucky native and his gospel ensemble are off to a fairly good start with their four-song introductory project, Speak Myself Free.

Described by Jamison as “good ol gospel music,” the CD opens and closes with two uptempo tracks (“Warfair” and “Can’t Find A Friend”).  The slow ones (“Speak Myself Free” and “I Cannot Make It”) are sandwiched in the middle.  All were written, produced, and arranged by Kyri Demby.

“I Cannot Make It” is the best of the foursome.  Tonya Thomas’s soprano really soars just as the song passes the five-minute mark.  Jamison takes the lead on the last number, “Can’t Find A Friend.”

Constructively speaking, the CD doesn’t quite hit the mark musically.  There are pitch problems in a few spots with both the lead and choir vocals, which a bit more rehearsal time and fine-tuning could remedy.  Were I watching the ensemble perform live, perhaps I wouldn’t notice the lengthy intros to “Warfair” and “I Cannot Make It” (forty seconds and one full minute, respectively), plus the latter features nice guitar work by Mark “Lupe” Hamilton.

Robert Jamison and Victory are on the right track with their mission and their zeal, and they’ve already taken hold of opportunities to share their music with radio markets in Chicago and Dallas.  I’m looking forward to the choir’s growth as they persist in developing their gifts and talents.

Favorite
“I Cannot Make It”

Fever Meter
WARM (2 of 5 Stars)

Video – “Testify” – Sounds of Blackness

The Sounds of Blackness recently released the official music video for “Testify.”  The inspirational ensemble’s current self-titled CD won the 2012 NAACP Award for Outstanding World Music Album.

“Thank You” – Roy and Revelation

“Thank You”
Roy and Revelation
From the CD, Thank You (2012)
www.royandrevelation.com   

Stanley Roy Ladson, Jr. isn’t 30 years old yet, but listening to his group’s tune, “Thank You,” will make you think you just popped a quarter in a late 1950’s Jukebox.

The rock and roll/R&B drenched number is the gospel drive that’s getting Roy and Revelation’s debut recording lots of attention.  The rising South Carolina group recently signed with 4Winds/Malaco and is excited to present its brand of music to the next generation of quartet lovers.

Happy Easter from GMF!

In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?  He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’” Luke 24:5-7 NIV

Happy Resurrection Sunday from GMF!  Here’s a video of one of my favorite songs of this sacred season.  I’ve listed my other favorites here: Editor’s Picks of the (Easter) Season.

GMF Anniversary Giveaway! (April 6)

Happy Good Friday!

In the spirit of it being more blessed to give than to receive, GMF is celebrating its first anniversary with a giveaway every Friday, through the month of April.

Here is today’s question:

Pastor Shirley Caesar told GMF in our recent interview that she would like to collaborate with which gospel singer/songwriter?

4/10/12 12:01 PM EST – Congratulations to Cameron Lewis who was the first to email us with the correct answer: Andraé Crouch.  You can read GMF’s recent interview with Pastor Caesar here: Shirley Caesar on Today’s ‘Singingest’ Women, Whitney, and the Big Screen.

Be the first to email us the correct answer at [email protected], and receive a complimentary pair of tickets to McDonald’s GospelFest 2012, to be held Mother’s Day weekend, Saturday, May 12, at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.

Vickie Winans to kick off multi-city comedy tour Easter Sunday

In case you never noticed, Vickie Winans is very funny, and this month, “The Comedianna” (her trademarked definition of a hilarious story-telling Queen), is taking her side-splitting sense of humor on the road to promote two new comedy DVDs entitled “Hilarious And Unplugged” Volume 1 and “Hilarious And Unplugged” Volume 2.  The tour kicks off Easter Sunday, April 8, at Chicago’s House of Hope/Salem Baptist Church Worship Center, where Rev. James Meeks is the Pastor, and continues throughout the summer.

Recorded in December at Detroit’s Upper Room Complex, Winans’ DVD stand-up routine consists of uproarious stories as well as a live performance of her hits “Shake Yourself Loose” and “How I Got Over” with her nephew, Tim Bowman, Jr.  She also shot a music video of her son Mario Winans’ “Overcomer” remix.

According to a press release, a unique element to the comedy tour is that Winans has purchased a luxury Sprinter van to transport the homeless in each city to be her special guests at each show. The singer is currently in pre-production for the starring role as “Grace Avery” in the feature film Amazing Grace, a movie centered around the issue of homelessness.  It is an issue that has heightened her sensitivity so much so that she has established a foundation to help decrease homelessness in America.

“My ultimate goal is to build homes and more shelters for the homeless,” says an enthusiastic Winans, “but until then, as many as the bus will hold will be my special guest VIPs for a night of laughter, food and a gift bag!”

The stand-up comedy DVDs will be available in stores, on www.vickiewinans.com, and at every stop along the projected 40-city tour.

2012 World Voice Day Events at Duke

Click flyer to enlarge
Click here for more information about each event.

Gospel singer Cissy Houston speaks on daughter Whitney

For the first time since Whitney Houston’s death, Cissy Houston sat down with My9 TV’s Brenda Blackmon at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark to reflect on her superstar daughter’s life.  You can watch the exclusive interview below.

Related Story

Gospel community reacts to the death of international superstar Whitney Houston

Castro Coleman releases free “live” mixtape

Castro Coleman, also known as Cat Cole, released his “live” mixtape online today for absolutely free.  Cole says Strait From Da Soul of Cat Cole is the first of several mixtapes to be released every 90 days while he preps for the release of his forthcoming album, The Favor Factor (4Winds/Malaco Music Group), slated to drop later this year.

The free download is available at http://myxer.com/CATCOLE.

It’s GMF’s First Anniversary!

Today is GMF’s first anniversary!  Praise God and thanks to each and every one of you for your well wishes, feedback, and support.

In the spirit of it being more blessed to give than to receive, GMF will celebrate with a giveaway every Friday, through the month of April.  Be on the lookout for your chance to win.

GMF and its founder and editor–yours truly–will keep celebrating God, enjoying gospel music, and anticipating all that is to come from the many talented people who share their gifts with others.  I can neither hide it nor deny it–I have gospel music fever! 
Always,
Libra Boyd, Founder & Editor
Gospel Music Fever™