Category: Features

Danny Yancey, NC educator and church music director, a finalist for Grammy Foundation award

Danny Yancey, NC educator and church music director, a finalist for Grammy Foundation award

Congratulations are in order for NC educator Danny Yancey, one of 10 music teachers selected from over 7,000 nominees as a finalist for the second annual Music Educator Award presented by The Recording Academy and the GRAMMY Foundation.

According to www.grammy.com, “[The] Music Educator Award was established to recognize current educators
(kindergarten through college, public and private schools) who have made
a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education
and who demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining
music education in the schools.”

If Yancey is chosen as recipient from the 10 finalists, he will be flown to Los Angeles to accept the honor, attend the Grammy Awards, and receive $10,000.

Yancey teaches choral music at Martin Gifted & Talented Magnet School in Raleigh.  He is also the music director at Durham’s Monument of Faith Church. He cites his father, Pastor Willie Yancey, and his uncle, Detroit Yancey—gospel singers/writers/musicians and recording artists—as his earliest significant music influences.

"Because of You" – Damon Little

“Because of You”
Damon Little (2014)
www.damonlittle.com

Damon Little - Because of You art workDamon Little is known for the hit songs “You Can’t Straddle the Fence,” “Do Right,” and “Make A Way,” but perhaps his most personal musical offering thus far is the urban praise ballad “Because of You.”

Little has a testimony—a portion of which he shares at the start of his self-penned tune. Just over a year ago, the gospel community rallied around him with prayers and support when they got the news that he would need emergency heart surgery.  Though the surgery can now be described as a success, Little underwent several challenges and setbacks, including a brief period during which he says his body rejected his heart. Now he’s healed and lyrically proclaims, “I wish they could see me today; I would tell them look at me now, see what the Lord can do.”

“Because of You,” produced by Little and co-produced by Bubby Fann, departs from the familiar quartet stylings of Little and his group Nu Beginnings and embraces choir harmonies.  The result is an arrangement that complements the toggling of narration and singing that Little does throughout his song of gratitude.

“Because of You” is available on iTunes.

Vintage music of two NC quartets featured on Swedish producer’s compilation CD

The Gospel Harmanaires of Oxford and The Carolina Kings of Henderson have songs on a compilation that highlights gospel music from 1959-1962. 


Best of Revelation Records, 1959-1962 cd artBy Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

The year was 2005.  It’s the year Sweden-based producer Per “Slim” Notini began collecting vinyl singles recorded on Bobby Robinson’s short-lived small, independent record label called Revelation Records.  Notini continued to unearth gems over the years and from his treasure has now produced and released a 27-track disc entitled Best of Revelation Records, 1959-1962,for NarroWay Records.  Among the singers featured on the golden era CD compilation are two NC quartets, The Gospel Harmanaires of Oxford with “Too Close” and The Carolina Kings of Henderson with “What A Blessing.”

“Too Close,” featuring James Thornton and bass singer Ray Gill on lead, takes off in uptempo fashion.  It’s a contrast to Alex Bradford’s composition of the same name, which was popularized by quartets like the Brooklyn Allstars and the Five Blind Boys of Alabama. 

A few tracks later, paradoxical to its title, “What A Blessing” opens noticeably somber with organ and the tremolo-heavy guitar of the song’s writer, George Hargrove.  Soon enough though, listeners are captured by Lonnie Heggie’s resonant tenor and the sturdy backing vocals of The Kings.  Not unusual for songs of the era, the track length falls 15 seconds short of the three-minute mark.  Given the immediate attention the music and vocals command despite the song’s brevity, “What A Blessing” sounds like it might have been a perfect opening number for The Kings’ concerts.

The CD is accompanied by essay liner notes and photos compiled and composed by Notini about Revelation Records, Bobby Robinson, and the label‘s producer John Bowden.  The essay also contains photos and bios on most of the featured artists.  Notini says he regrets not having any information about the Harmanaires and The Kings at the time his notes were written.  Scouring the Internet yielded no biographical information on either group.

Hargrove, the founder and only surviving original member of The Carolina Kings, talked with GMF about his group’s 61-year history (the group was formed in 1952) and original members (General Rainey, Goodrich Rainey, Prince Moore, William Nowell, and Hargrove). He also recalls appearing frequently on programs with The Gospel Harmanaires, but he believes all the group’s members have now passed on.

Hargrove is thrilled that his group’s music has been preserved and presented in this format.  This is just one of at least 27 reasons Best of Revelation Records, 1959-1962 is a gospel collector’s joy.  If not for the efforts of Per “Slim” Notini, such gems would very likely remain hidden from the present-day generation of traditional gospel enthusiasts.

"More of You" – Canton Jones ft. Darlene McCoy

“More of You”
Canton Jones ft. Darlene McCoy
From the CD, God City USA (2014)
Cajo Records

Canton Jones art work

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

In one of several collaborations from his newest release, God City USA, singer/writer/producer Canton Jones teams up with songstress and radio personality Darlene McCoy for a moderately-paced Christian hip-hop performance of “More of You.”

McCoy kicks off the track’s opening verse with a melodic declaration of adoration and submission before sharing the mic with Jones for a harmonic duet of the chorus: “Just give me all of You and none of me, Lord / Let Your kingdom come, let Your will be done.”  As the song moves forward to reverb-heavy rhythm, Jones spins a rhyme and true to his knack for marrying the lingo of the secular and sacred, he petitions the Lord, “I need more of your spirit; Lord, pour another round.”

“More of You” could be described as a loose urban adaptation of The Lord’s Prayer.

"A Lil' Louder (Clap Your Hands)" – The Rance Allen Group

“A Lil’ Louder (Clap Your Hands)”
The Rance Allen Group (2014)
Tyscot

Rance Allen Group - A Lil' Louder artwork

For much of his 40-plus year career, Rance Allen has described his brand of gospel as R&B—Rhythm and Bible. Now the Rance Allen Group has added the new single “A Lil’ Louder (Clap Your Hands)” to the list, making it nearly impossible for fans to wait for the International Gospel Music Hall of Famers’ full-length project, due out later this year. 

Blazing horns, synths, and percussive hand claps—along with Rance’s trademark growls, grunts, and falsetto—drive this feel-good groove. Dr. Leonard Scott, Tyscot Music & Entertainment founder, calls it the “modern-day ‘Miracle Worker.'”


“A Lil’ Louder (Clap Your Hands),” co-written by Rance and Floyd “Timeless” Thomas, is an invitation to praise that could’ve easily been a smash back-in-the-day collab with Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Ray Charles, The Tops, and The Miracles.  That’s the flavor of “R&B” this is, and take my word for it, you’ll be doing more than clapping your hands on this one. 

"The Holy One" – Patricia LaVerne McQueen

“The Holy One”
Patricia LaVerne McQueen
From the CD, It’s All About Love (2014)
McDuJo Gospel Music
Available at Amazon

Patricia LaVerne McQueen It's All About Love cover art

Patricia LaVerne McQueen skillfully converts Scripture to song.  It’s perhaps the primary reason she’s called “The Word Singer.” Just as engaging as her ability to craft lyrics from Scripture is the sheer artistry of her vocal delivery (reminiscent of jazz greats Nancy Wilson, Lena Horne, and Natalie Cole), which is immediately apparent in “The Holy One” from her 10-track upbeat jazzy CD, It’s All About Love. 

McQueen’s talent is honed through years of experience, including her four-year tenure as an original member of the internationally acclaimed a cappella ensemble, Sweet Honey in the Rock.  And just in case you’re wondering, she is the same Patricia (Pat Johnson, at the time) who recorded the 1972 R&B hit single “Love Brought You Here.”

The strength of “The Holy One” is the intimacy of conversation between McQueen and the listener, conveyed with McQueen’s lush jazz runs and just enough scatting to tease a jazz enthusiast.  The unblemished execution of her solo as she walks through Biblical texts that point to the deity of Jesus Christ is the perfect union of style and substance.

McQueen is presently an evangelist at Seed of Faith Ministries in California.

"Witness" – Christian Gill

“Witness”
Christian Gill (2014)
www.christiangillmusic.com

Christian Gill Witness art work

He’s been singing since he was three. Now Christian Gill is in high school, and his aspirations are clearer: he wants people to be “inspired to bless and worship God through his music.” Thankfully, we have the opportunity to do so as we listen to Christian’s current single, “Witness,” downloadable via iTunes.

With his generation in mind, Christian makes full use of synths and percussion for a head-bobbing, speaker-thumping effect as he recites John 10:10. He then jolts into multi-layered lead and self-backing vocals proclaiming, “There’s nobody that can love me like You can / Can’t nobody do the things that You can…”

Christian has racked up several honors in his young career, including Best Soloist at Disney’s Annual GospelFest and winner of Amateur Night at the Apollo “Stars of Tomorrow.”  Presently, the talented New Yorker is a praise and worship leader at his church, Greater Blessed Hope.

"The King" – Drew Chambers ft. Armar'rae Hill & True Foundation

“The King”
Drew Chambers ft. Armar’rae Hill & True Foundation (2014)
Available at iTunes

Drew Chambers "The King" art work

Nearly as fast as BET Sunday Best 7 axed him (July 20) after a pristine performance of Smokie Norful’s “I Need You Now,” Drew Chambers released a single for his already huge following (peep his Facebook page), and his newly acquired fans.

“The King,” which features Armar’rae Hill and True Foundation, is equally friendly to radio and worship team playlists.  Drew’s eclectic blend of worship and soul intensifies the reverent tune and is an impeccable complement to the vocals of Hill and his team of talented singers.

Drew is a native of Hickory, NC (of which I’m familiar, because I’m also a North Carolinian), and is definitely one to watch.  You can do just that at drewchambersonline.com.

Damion Murrill and Siloam 'give God the glory'

Damion Murrill and Siloam
Photo | Brittney White
Damion Murrill (foreground, left) and Siloam
minister to a capacity congregation at the Yancey Family Ministries “Giving God the Glory” Gospel Explosion at Cornerstone Christian Community Church in Oxford, NC Saturday evening.  Their forthcoming CD is scheduled to drop this summer and features the group’s current single, “Kingdom Come.”

"God's Been Good" – Carol Maraj

“God’s Been Good”
Carol Maraj (2014)
Fame Star Records/MDM Music Group
Available at iTunes

Carol Maraj has no qualms about letting the world know that God has sustained her through experiences that some others didn’t survive (see her interview with GMF here).  She is alive and has overcome because “God’s Been Good.”

Maraj’s single, “God’s Been Good,” cites healing from cancer and protection from a shooting in its verses, as testimonies of the perpetual goodness of God. The contemporary pop synth gospel tune has been creating a buzz since early this year.

Maraj currently resides in New York and heads the Carol Maraj Foundation, an advocacy organization for victims of domestic violence.