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.

Emily Harris of Bobby Jones & New Life has died

Emily Harris
Emily Harris, longtime member of Bobby Jones and New Life Singers and the Nashville Super Choir, has died.  Harris’s rich vocals are featured on several songs, notably “I’m in His Care,” from Bobby Jones and New Life’s early 1990’s release Bring It To Jesus.
 
Homegoing arrangements are as follows:
 
Musical Celebration
Wednesday, December 28th
7 PM
 
Homegoing Celebration
Thursday, December 29th
11 AM
 
All services will take place at Cathedral of Praise Church of God in Christ, 4300 Clarksville Pike, Nashville, TN.  Read the obituary as posted by Terrell Broady Funeral Home here: Emily Harris.
 
GMF extends sympathy to and prayers for the Harris family and Dr. Bobby Jones, New Life, and the Nashville Super Choir during this most difficult time.
 
 

Noël Divin – Quebec Celebration Gospel Choir

Quebec Celebration Gospel Choir
Noël Divin (2011)
http://www.gospelcelebration.qc.ca

By Libra Boyd

Gospel Music Fever

I close my eyes and feel as though I’ve been transported to a concert hall filled with wonderful Christmas music by a heavenly chorus.  I open my eyes and here I sit, in my car, taking in harmonious French and English holiday songs from Quebec Celebration Gospel Choir’s 12-track CD, Noël Divin.

This offering is bursting with contemporary gospel flavor, thanks to superb arrangements by Michael McElroy and Joseph Joubert.  The heavily orchestrated tracks feature a jubilant version of “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” churchy enough for Sunday morning–Chicago style, and a lovely soft pop rendering of “Minuit, Chrétiens” (“O Holy Night”), both performed by the choir’s founder, soprano Fernande Angers.

Just as exultant is “Joy to the World,” with its majestic horn prelude.  This hand-clapper would’ve fit perfectly on the soundtrack of a Penny Marshall-directed Christmas movie starring Whitney Houston and Denzel Washington.  Slowing the pace but not the continuity is the moving “Noel Noel.”  The song’s lyrical structure coupled with the choir’s execution are reminiscent of Kirk Franklin and the Family (minus Kirk’s spoken-word lead).

Among the year’s better holiday music projects, Noël Divin invokes the true spirit of the season, resonating delightfully with gospel listeners and choir enthusiasts.  

Favorites
“Minuit, Chrétiens” – “Go Tell It on the Mountain” – “Noel Noel”

Fever Meter
SMOKIN’ (4 of 5 Stars)

Music of several gospel artists banned from Radio One playlists

From Music World Entertainment Website

If you miss hearing Le’Andria Johnson, Trin-i-tee 5:7, and Micah Stampley on your favorite Radio One station, there’s a plausible explanation: their music has been axed as a result of a lawsuit filed by Radio One against Mathew Knowles’ Music World Entertainment.

You can read more about this move’s impact on all the artists associated with the entertainment company here: Radio One has banned music associated with Mathew Knowles.

"I Don't Need Anything But You" – C. Lewis

“I Don’t Need Anything But You”
C. Lewis (2011)
ExCLEWsive Productions

Innovative hip-hopper C. Lewis reminds us that Christmas is about more than presents with his brand new mid-tempo track, just in time for the holiday.  He invites his audience to live, love, and give with sweet rhymes and the melodic R&B-seasoned hook: “I don’t need anything but you!”

This is a singer/rapper on his holiday grind, and he is so intent on getting his message out that he’s making the single available as a free download and ringtone by clicking here.

“Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” – Valerie Woodard

“Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”
Valerie Woodard
Whole Armor Recordings (2011)
www.valeriewoodard.com

Valerie Woodard serenades listeners with her remake of the timeless classic, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”  Simply orchestrated accompaniment turns your attention to the beauty of her tone and clarity of her voice.

Enjoy for yourself!

“Christmas Everyday” – New Creation

“Christmas Everyday”
New Creation featuring Pastor George Crews, III
From the CD, Help Is On The Way (2011)
[email protected]

New Creation takes an oldie on a spin with Pastor George Crews, III guesting on lead.  The Hillsborough, NC based group escorts its listeners back in time with a cover of the Temptations’ “Christmas Everyday,” featured on New Creation’s non-Christmas gospel CD, Help Is On The Way.
 
Oldtimers will recall the Temps’ Melvin Franklin lending his sultry bass to the song’s lead (or even Smokey Robinson’s version before that, with the Miracles).  Crews, by contrast, is a tenor who delivers this swinging tune with near-equal oomph.  The main distinction here, of course, is that Pastor Crews and New Creation direct their affirmation to Jesus and the fact that He makes it Christmas every day. 
 

Related Story
Help Is On The Way – New Creation (CD Review)

“It’s Christmas Time” – Ronnie R. Riles, Sr.

“It’s Christmas Time”
Ronnie R. Riles, Sr.
From the CD, Bad Boys Need God Too (2009)
www.upthapraise.com

Ronnie R. Riles, Sr. makes a plea for more Christ-centered love in “It’s Christmas Time.”

Highlighting all the wonderful sights and sounds typically associated with the holiday–mistletoe, stockings, and energetic children–over the unhurried groove, he returns his subsequent verse with an abbreviated narrative of Christ’s birth; hence, the real meaning of the season.

It’s time, Riles says, “to show your love…to love everybody!”

“The Lord Will Make A Way Somehow” – Aretha Franklin

“The Lord Will Make A Way Somehow”
Aretha Franklin
From the CD, This Christmas (2008)
DMI Records

I love a good hymn.  And a good hymn is made great when sung by a skillful singer who does it justice.  Enter the “Queen of Soul” with a signature composition by the “Father of Gospel,” the late Rev. Thomas A. Dorsey.

I am really not sure why “The Lord Will Make A Way Somehow” is on Aretha’s Christmas album.  It does prove, though, that there’s always room for classic gospel.  Aretha infuses this gem with soul for your soul.  Add some funk to the ageless lyrics and you have yourself a song for all seasons.

“For the Cause” Awareness Musical & Cancer Fundraiser set for Dec. 10

Click flyer to enlarge for more info

This Saturday, people will sing, clap, stomp, and dance in a spirit of praise.  They will also gather for another cause.

The non-profit organization called the Community Cancer Awareness Group will sponsor a musical titled “For the Cause” to raise funds to assist persons who are battling cancer and have limited resources.

The visionary of the Person County, NC based organization, Debbie Allen, told The Courier-Times (Dec. 7, 2011) that the idea for the group took form when she noticed the number of ill people within her own community who had to choose whether to buy medication or food.

The musical program features quite an impressive lineup of performers.  Of course, donations are requested and proceeds will go to the Community Cancer Awareness Group for its mission.

For more information about the event or organization, call Debbie Allen at 336-364-2764.

When:  Saturday, December 10
Where:  Greater Cleggs Chapel Community Center – Timberlake, NC
Time:  5 PM (doors open at 4 PM)
Admission:  Free (donations are requested)

Tamela Mann joins Salvation & Deliverance Church Choir for Christmas musical

Salvation and Deliverance Church Choir–named “America’s Best Church Choir” as the grand prize winners in Verizon’s “How Sweet the Sound” national choir competition in October–will celebrate its win and the holiday season with a rousing Christmas production entitled, How Sweet the Tidings.

The dynamic award-winning choir from Tarboro, NC, will be joined by special music guest, powerhouse Tamela Mann, star of Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns and formerly of Kirk Franklin and the Family.

The celebration is this Friday, December 9, at 7 PM.

To read more about the event, you can visit http://www.sdc6.blogspot.com.

Related Story
Salvation and Deliverance Church Choir wins Verizon’s “How Sweet the Sound”