Category: Features

"Glory to God" ft. Taylor Simone-Butts – Vernon Hill

“Glory to God” featuring Taylor Simone-Butts
Vernon Hill
From the CD, Great Joy (2015)
Available at iTunes

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

“Glory to God” is a featured single from the Great Joy holiday project, presented by producer/songwriter Vernon Hill. 

Taylor Simone-Butts leads the delightfully fluid Christian Adult Contemporary worship song.  Melodically, she calls us to proclaim, like the multitude of the heavenly host in Luke’s biblical narrative, 

We sing glory to God in the highest
Glory to God in the highest
Let there be peace on earth
Goodwill towards men
We sing glory to God in the highest 

The Great Joy CD is available at iTunes.

"Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" – Wanda Mo'Net

“Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”
Wanda Mo’Net
Indie (2014)
www.wandamonet.com

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

“Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” has been recorded by dozens of artists.  Wanda Mo’Net joins the list of singers and instrumentalists who has now covered the decades-old seasonal tune.

The gospel singer and Atlanta native delivers a recorded performance that boasts warm layers of clear, crisp urban contemporary-styled vocals.  Though I occasionally hear pitch correction technology at work, I imagine it is probably more for stylistic effect than for actual pitch inaccuracies.  After all, Wanda has been singing publicly since the age of three, has shared the stage with a host of gospel greats, and is a former member of the Georgia Mass Choir.

"Prayer Changes Things" – Adriann Lewis-Freeman

“Prayer Changes Things”
Adriann Lewis-Freeman (2017)
Daf Entertainment Group
Available at iTunes
 

Prayer Changes Things Adriann Lewis-Freeman art workBy Libra Boyd

Gospel Music Fever
 
If you don’t have a tambourine, you’re going to want one for Adriann Lewis Freeman’s current single, “Prayer Changes Things.”
 
Known by many as the lead singer for RiZen, Lewis-Freeman has returned from a recording hiatus—which included earning a pair of degrees, getting married, and teaching middle school—to deliver this enthusiastic proclamation.  The singer and pastor’s wife sings “Prayer Changes Things” like she knows it, because she does.  (Among other challenges, Lewis-Freeman has endured a cancer diagnosis.)  Throughout the foot-stomping number, Lewis-Freeman vocally teeters between song and sermon.  In the drive, she summons a trio of the Bible’s notable witnesses—Daniel, Paul, and Silas—to affirm the power of prayer.  “Prayer Changes Things” is produced by Ay’Ron Lewis.

Russell Witcher talks about ‘Coming Out’ memoir, healing balm of sacred music

Russell Witcher
 
 
By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever
 
Russell Witcher knows something about resilience.  It is one lesson he generously shares in his recently released book, Coming Out of the Ashes. 
 
The accomplished organist and pianist has spent most of his life making music, dedicating his time and talents to God and serving churches in North Carolina and Virginia. Currently, he serves two North Carolina churches, Union Grove Baptist Church in Hurdle Mills as minister of music and First Baptist Church in Raleigh as lead musician and worship leader. Russell is also an ordained minister, recording artist, and more recently, author of Coming Out of the Ashes.
 
The 140-page memoir details a dark time in life during which Russell balanced a secular job with music duties at a church he previously served. During this time, colleagues at his place of employment brought allegations against him which Russell says were ultimately proven false. Still, the humiliation, investigation, arrest, court appearance, and negative media attention plunged him into isolation and an overwhelming sense of helplessness.
 
Seven years later, Russell has found healing in the writing and telling of his story. He has also found healing through music. The trial deepened not only his faith, Russell explains, but his worship.
 

I have a deeper appreciation for hymns like ‘Amazing Grace,’ ‘What a Friend We Have in Jesus,’ and ‘Great is Thy Faithfulness,’ because [God’s] grace sustained me and was truly made perfect in my weakness. He was also my friend when it seemed like everyone had deserted me and turned their backs. During this period, I definitely ministered from a place of pain. At times I would become so ‘full’ that I was left speechless for the moment…tears streaming down my face with stretched out arms in worship to God but surrendered in total dependence on Him for the strength that I needed to get through this ordeal, as well as the understanding of what He was teaching me through the trial.  And He has truly been faithful and unfailing in His love and care for me.

“Prayer Will Change Things” from Russell’s very own 2008 CD, Sacred Notes from a Minister of Music, also grew more relatable.  The song recounts the well known New Testament story of Paul and Silas in jail and the midnight prison shake-up.  Russell now has his own testimony.  He recalls,
 

When I was thrown in jail (in the pit, as I said in my book), I lived that experience. I was there until midnight when [my wife’s cousin], who is a bailsman, came to my aid. Not only was it a familiar Bible story, but it was a reality for me.  It was prayer that pulled me through.  

Russell shares his story to inspire people who are confronted with despairing situations that they too can make it through their difficult season.  Coming Out of the Ashes was a featured title at Book Expo America 2017 and is available at Amazon.

Recap: ‘Dinner Concert at the Main,’ presented by Milagro Productions

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever


“No singing at the table” is an etiquette rule that definitely was not applicable at JC’s Kitchen on East Main Street Saturday evening.  The Durham restaurant hosted “Dinner Concert at the Main,” presented by Milagro Productions, and the truth is that nearly everyone sang at his or her table at some point throughout the lively four-hour event.  Stellar Award-winning radio announcer Bobby Parker served as the emcee.


Roughly 50 people packed into the eatery, occupying every section of the compact dining area, to enjoy an evening of music, mime, comedy, and home-style food.  Concerns about the broken A/C—and the pesky wasp that hung out for a while—faded swiftly once the concert got underway with mime dancer Anointed Vessel’s rousing performance.  Milagro Records’ Brandie Brown followed, debuting her uptempo contemporary single “Undefeated.”

Beth Daniels joins JSUP on "Te Bendecire" at Milagro Production's "Dinner Concert at the Main."
Beth Daniels joins JSUP on “Te Bendecire.”

Milagro’s Juan Santiago and Uninhibited Praise rendered several tunes from their repertoire, including the ensemble’s exuberant current single “Glimpse” and “Te Bendecire,” which are both featured on JSUP’s forthcoming full-length CD.  For the concert finale, Santiago invited nearly a fifth of the audience to come down and take turns riffing over the refrain of “Healing Rain,” another of the group’s requested songs.


Other performances of the evening included a pair of selections from Yolanda Mitchell—who later transformed into the comically eccentric Ms. Marzette—and a medley of worship anthems from Shelia Copeland.

"I Give You Everything" – Charlene Moore

“I Give You Everything”
Charlene Moore (2017)
Available at iTunes

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

“I Give You Everything” is the current single by San Francisco Bay Area singer/musician Charlene Moore.  The ebullient urban contemporary tune is copious with soul and heft, which is evident from the moment Moore wraps her robust, raspy vocal around the first verse:

Lord, I come to You with arms outstretched, nothing to hide;
Offering all that I have without any pride.
Take everything–it’s all for You!

“I Give You Everything” features Moore’s industry friends Martha Wash, Bishop Yvette Flunder, and Sara Williams.

Angelics' Theresa Burton-Richmond walks down 'Gospel Lane' with group's biggest hit

Theresa Burton-Richmond of the Angelic Gospel Singers sings at Greater Cleggs Chapel Community Missionary Baptist Church.

Theresa Burton-Richmond of the famed Angelic Gospel Singers performed a pair of Margaret “Babe” Allison (1921-2008) and the group’s beloved gems, “Touch Me, Lord Jesus” and “If You Can’t Help Me,” last evening at Greater Cleggs Chapel Community MBC’s Black history musical in Timberlake, NC. The former, first recorded by the Angelics in the late 1940s, was the title of their biggest selling release.
 
The program, called, “Traveling Down Gospel Lane,” featured a narrated contextual overview of gospel’s pioneers and trailblazers as well as performances of sacred music spanning the 17th century to the present.

"Glimpse" – Juan Santiago & Uninhibited Praise

Juan Santiago & Uninhibited Praise "Glimpse" art work

“Glimpse”
Juan Santiago & Uninhibited Praise (March 4, 2017)
www.jsuplive.com

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

“Glimpse” is the new single from multi award-winning international recording group, Juan Santiago & Uninhibited Praise (JSUP). Ecstatic applause and a one-minute guitar-infused intro kick off the CCM track through which JSUP proclaims, “Just to get a touch from You / Just to get a glimpse of You / We will be whole.” Santiago, the ensemble’s founder, allows his expressive vibrato to come to the fore as he enthusiastically leads the pulsating vertical worship song.

“Glimpse,” penned by Anthony Shepard, was recorded live in Baltimore and produced by Damion Murrill. It appears on JSUP’s forthcoming full-length project, scheduled for release later this year.

"We Praise You" – Northern Delaware Chapter GMWA Recording Choir

“We Praise You”
Northern Delaware Chapter GMWA Recording Choir
From the CD, God Be Glorified (2016)
 
Northern Delaware Chapter GMWA Recording Choir cover artBy Libra Boyd
 

“We Praise You” is the lively single from the Northern Delaware Chapter GMWA Recording Choir’s project, God Be Glorified.

It doesn’t take long to hear the choir handing out a lot of what we’ve been missing as a result of choir music’s diminishing radio presence: robust, bold, dynamic section harmonies; crisp hand-clapping; prominent organ and piano riffs; and the overall “Sunday morning” vibe.

Minister Wayne E. Carter, Sr. leads the Northern Delaware GMWA chapter and choir and is the project’s executive producer. 

“I Believe (Gospel Remix)” – Michael Stosic feat. Gordon Chambers

“I Believe (Gospel Remix)”
Michael Stosic feat. Gordon Chambers (2016)
Available at iTunes

"I Believe (Gospel Remix)" - Michael Stosic feat. Gordon Chambers art workBy Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Singer/songwriter Michael Stosic has released a gospel-tinged remix of the Christian adult contemporary single, “I Believe.”

In his self-penned tune, Stosic – whose voice has been compared to Barry Manilow – steadily and melodically makes his way through a lyrical list of affirmations, both positive and poignant: “I believe in God…I believe He is love… / I believe we live in a world filled with darkness / I believe we can shine love’s light…”  His message is accentuated in the chorus, where Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Gordon Chambers (Yolanda Adams, Beyoncé, Whitney Houston, Usher) chimes in on the lead vocals.  Background singers Rasul A-Salaam, Cassondra James Kellam, Helen White, and Monet Ulerio celestially echo Stosic and Chambers’ sentiments: “I believe in love.”