Category: Reviews

"Amazing Worth" – Charles Butler & Trinity

Charles Butler & Trinity Amazing Worth cover art
”Amazing Worth”
Charles Butler & Trinity (2014)
EPM Music Group
 
By Libra Boyd, Founder & Editor
 
If God is worthy of our worship—and He is—then Charles Butler and Trinity’s single, “Amazing Worth,” can be added to the soundtrack of our worship experience.

EPM Music Group (founded by Earnest Pugh) announces the digital availability of “Amazing Worth” as the second single from the urban contemporary ensemble’s project, Better.  The group’s connection to Pugh is a strong one: Charles Butler and Trinity provided backing vocals on his 2009 smash, “Rain on Us.”

A radio-friendly tune, “Amazing Worth” is written by James Ziegler and produced by Morgan Turner.  Jeremiah Hicks passionately handles the lead duties.  

"While I Wait" – Trice Staten

“While I Wait”
Trice Staten (2013)
Available on iTunes

Trice Staten "While I Wait" cover art

By Shaundria Williams 
Special Contributor

Have you ever been waiting on God to do something for you? Open a door?  Give you a sign? Create a breakthrough?  Ms. Trice Staten has a word of encouragement for you.  Depending on where you are in the waiting process, it may not feel like encouragement; but listen to it a few times.  The beautiful, worshipful, gentle self-penned ballad, “While I Wait,” is sure to usher you from the bitterness and doubt often associated with waiting into anticipatory praise.  
 

The first stanza ever so clearly expresses the childlike expectations that we have concerning God’s blessings and the care that He takes in uniquely crafting each one just for us.  In her chorus, Trice stands on the surety that the blessing is in fact on the way, and she softly declares that she will be faithful to her relationship with God by maintaining her praise and worship for Him–while she waits.  The melody might sound like a lullaby, but the lyrics are an honest reflection of the ups and downs of waiting on God.  Trice yet encourages us to praise Him, worship Him, and draw closer to Him while we wait.  

SOAPBOX:  Someone might wonder how.  How can I praise?  How can I worship when all of this is going on?  I’ve been waiting so long, won’t people think I’m faking? Well listen, regardless of your circumstance, situation, or even the timing–He’s still God and He’s still worthy.  In spite of yesterday, you’re still here.  The enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy.  Don’t let him steal your praise, kill your hope, and destroy your blessing.  Remember, your praise is your weapon and your worship is your duty.  Let Ms. Trice Staten help get you back on the right track.

The Chicago native’s debut single, “While I Wait,” (produced by Matt Jones) is available on iTunes, Amazon, & Google Play.  The full-length project is expected to drop this spring. 

Clara Ward and the Famous Ward Singers Recordings 1949-1958

Clara Ward and the Famous Ward Singers
Recordings 1949-1958
Gospel Friend (2013) 

Clara Ward and the Ward Singer cd cover

By Libra Boyd, Founder & Editor
Gospel Music Fever

Fans of Golden Era gospel will enjoy the current release on the Gospel Friend imprint, Clara Ward and the Famous Ward Singers. Strolling, strutting, and sometimes shouting down Memory Lane with Clara Ward and the ladies presents 25 reasons “famous” managed to work its way into the group’s name.

Step back at least 55 years, and you will hear gospel singing at its finest. Prior to the days of heavy studio overdubs, electronic instruments, and pitch correction software, there were skilled voices honed from raw talent. Frances Steadman, Henrietta Waddy, Thelma Jackson, Willa Ward Royster (to whom the CD is dedicated), Marion Williams, and Clara were all top-notch lead vocalists. On this particular CD, Marion Williams–the only bona fide gospel artist to date to receive a Kennedy Center Honor–leads several of the numbers, including one of their hits, W.H. Brewster’s “I’m Climbing Higher and Higher” and her self-written “I’ll Be There.”  In contrast to Marion’s robust delivery is Clara’s refined soprano on Robert Anderson’s “Prayer Changes Things,” as well as Willa’s recognizable timbre on “Glory, Glory Hallelujah” and Frances Steadman’s stirring near-baritone on “God’s Amazing Love.”

As I said earlier, forget about the presence of the studio enhancements that give a lot of today’s gospel its marketable sound.  You won’t find them on this CD. What you’ll find are pure and piping unobstructed vocals complemented by piano and organ on the earliest dated tracks, and then drums and “sacred steel” guitar as the 1950s ushers in additional musical accompaniment.

I do not own Clara Ward and the Famous Ward Singers on vinyl, so I am ecstatic that producer Per Notini of Sweden has made this collection available in a format that gospel music aficionados can enjoy for years to come. If this reissue is ice cream, then the cherry on top is Robert Sacré’s comprehensive liner notes with photos interspersed.

In the United States, Clara Ward and the Famous Ward Singers is available at www.cityhallrecords.com.

Favorites
“Prayer Changes Things” – “God’s Amazing Love” 

Fever Meter
SMOKIN’ (4 of 5 Stars)

"Our Father" – Jeff Carnie and Spectrum

“Our Father”
Jeff Carnie and Spectrum (2013)
www.jeffcarnieandspectrum.com

Jeff Carnie and Spectrum

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever Editor

Uptempo contemporary worship best describes the light and invocative “Our Father,” from Jeff Carnie and Spectrum.  First released three years ago on the group’s full-length project, Complete, the single has now been re-released nationally. 

The B.J. Putnum-penned number opens with an immediately recognizable biblical passage (“Our Father who is in Heaven…”) set to a singable melody before Jeff and the group escort us to the chorus, taken from another familiar biblical passage: “Let everything that has breath…praise the Lord!”  There’s plenty of fusion, from the spirited horn section and Cuban-flavored percussion in the interlude to the union of the well-known texts from Matthew 6:9-13 and Psalm 150.

Ever since he wrote his first song at age twelve, Jeff demonstrated talent and gifting for music ministry, though it wasn’t immediately evident to Jeff himself.  Currently, he serves as worship pastor for the 8 am and 9:30 am services at First Baptist Church of Elk Grove (FBCEG), in California.

"Do What Jesus Says" – Jenise La Vonne

“Do What Jesus Says”
Jenise La Vonne (2013)
Available at iTunes

Jenise La Vonne "Do What Jesus Says" art work

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

There’s something about Jenise La Vonne that makes her message instantly believable.  Maybe it’s that she conveys the lyrics of her single “Do What Jesus Says” with a not-often-used combination of gentle earnest.  Perhaps it’s because she sings as if the lyrics are a part of her lived experience.  Whatever the likely reason, when Jenise ascends to the uppers of her alto register to reiterate, “I’ll only do what, I’ll only do what, I’ll only do what Jesus says,” you get that she means it.

It’s just that simple.

And nearly as simple is the accompaniment, notably the barely audible strings underneath the more prominent acoustic guitar (and its periodic fret noise). Occasionally, Jenise backs herself like a reassuring voice of wisdom in the unhurried, introspective ballad.

Jenise is originally from Norcross, GA.  The singer/songwriter, aspiring author, and thespian describes her sound as a blend of contemporary gospel and contemporary christian.  This particular track leans strongly and beautifully toward the latter.

"So Good" – Ruth La'Ontra

“So Good”
Ruth La’Ontra
From the CD, So Good (2013)
Tyscot Records
Ruth La'Ontra So Good art work

By Shaundria Williams
Special Contributor 

Music lovers have all kinds of music.  Music for exercising, music for long drives, music for cleaning the house, music for getting ready for church—we create the soundtrack of our lives.  That being said, Ruth La’Ontra’s debut project, So Good, is SO GOOD!  Cousin Ruth (in my Kirk Franklin voice) has sung me
to work for a couple of months now.  Although her entire project is phenomenal, one song has been on repeat: the title track, “So Good.”

 
This neo-quartetish ballad reminds me of all-night “sangings” way back over in the woods.  You know the ones that started at three in the afternoon and didn’t end until ten or twelve at night?  In this scenario, Ruth La’Ontra’s group would sing after the offering.  And if they managed to complete their selections without singing “it,” you’d be sure to see members of the congregation with their index fingers up motioning for an usher, then handing over a folded slip of paper and whispering, “Give this to Ruth so she can sing ‘So Good.’” 
 
It starts out as a gentle conversation between God and His beloved child.  God simply asks her, “How does it feel…” followed by several illustrations of His loving kindness.  She simply replies, “It feels good, good to me.”  Somewhere around three minutes (2:53 to be exact), Sis. Ruth thinks about that “thang” and decides to tell God JUST how good He is to her.  As she testifies, her background vocalists support her with a simple refrain: “So good.”  The harmonies along with the horns are sure to spur a good “stank face.”  As for Sis. Ruth, I believe she’s got a little preach in her.  Check in tomorrow to read Shaundria’s interview with La’Ontra.
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Upcoming Event: Want to see Ruth La’Ontra in person?  She will minister in song on February 1, 2014, at Aberdeen Elementary School at 7:00 PM (doors open at 5:30 PM).  For more information, find her on Facebook and Twitter.  You can also follow her on SocialCam, Instagram, and YouTube.

"Be Holy" – Jason Coleman f. Thomas Clay

“Be Holy”
Jason Coleman feat. Thomas Clay
From the CD, Your Mercies (2013)
JLC Muzik
Available at iTunes

Jason Coleman Your Mercies cover art
By Jane White
Special Contributor
 
Jason Coleman is a lyricist with an aspiration to write, arrange, produce, and perform music that is consistent with the holy scriptures and brings glory to the name of Christ. This Kingdom mindset is deployed in his contemporary worship song entitled, “Be Holy” featuring Thomas Clay, wherein we are reminded that “the word of our God stands forever,” that we should stand on His living word, and that we should be holy!  Coleman’s lyrics have biblical denotations and his contemporary worship melodies exhort.
 
Jason Coleman is a Carneys Point, NJ native who started playing drums at the age of four and has played, recorded, and toured with many gospel/Christian artists, including Tye Tribbett, Freddy Washington, and Da Truth. 

"He'll Fix It" – Apostle James Alston and Fellowship

“He’ll Fix It”
Apostle James Alston and Fellowship
From the CD, The Movement (2013)
Available at iTunes

Apostle James Alston and Fellowship

“He’ll Fix It” has several of the ingredients expected in a down-home quartet drive: bass and drums in the pocket, screams, shouts, intense throaty lead vocals, and tag-team exchanges in the vamp.  Apostle James Alston goes to work early in the number before “feel[ing] this thing in [his] sanctified soul]” and letting out a screeching yelp.

Lead guitar kicks off the foot-stomper, followed by Apostle Alston and Fellowship who charge off full speed ahead: “My God will fix it for you / Runnin’ out of money–He’ll fix that too / Doctors quit on you and walked away / My God will fix it for you.” Javon Johnson trades lines with Apostle Alston in the vamp.

A native of Henderson, NC, Apostle Alston and Fellowship are presently based in Portsmouth, VA.

"Rejoice With Me" – Bobby Jones f. Faith Evans

“Rejoice With Me”
Bobby Jones f. Faith Evans (2013)
EchoPark JDI/Caroline/Capitol Records

Bobby Jones and Faith Evans

Dr. Bobby Jones is a legend, arguably not so much for his musicality as for his flagship show, Bobby Jones Gospel, the longest-running show on cable TV.  His legendary status may be attributed in part to the manner in which he advances gospel music as art by graciously extending his national platform to other talented acts across all subgenres of gospel and inspirational music.  

Through the years, Dr. Jones has been blessed to score many memorable collaborations (Dr. Maya Angelou, Donald Lawrence, Melvin Williams, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Barbara Mandrell, et al.) for his projects; the latest of which, “Rejoice With Me,” features R&B diva Faith Evans.  NSC (formerly known as the Nashville Super Choir) joins in on the uptempo contempo radio-friendly tune.

Following a brief intro, Dr. Jones steps aside from the mic, allowing Evans to do her thing.  Characteristically, the soprano’s riffs and runs soar effortlessly as she exhorts, “Trust God to work it out / All you gotta do is shout!” 

Dr. Jones’ full-length project is expected to drop on March 25, 2014.

"God Can / You Give Me" [Double Single] – Tim Spady & Inspiration

“God Can / You Give Me” [Double Single]
Tim Spady & Inspiration
From the upcoming CD, Just Believe (Available 2014)
Available on iTunes

Tim Spady & Inspiration art workTim Spady has been making music for most of his 20-something year life. By the time he was a teenager, he was playing for the children’s choir at his aunt’s church and through his college years, he continued to hone his God-given gifts. 

Tim Spady & Inspiration’s double single is the most recent offering—the introduction to their forthcoming project, Just Believe.  “God Can,” an inspirational tune as soothing as its title, features the sultry soprano of Vanessa Williams along with musical stylings reminiscent of the Kurt Carr Singers.  The second single, “You Give Me” featuring Walt Anderson, picks up the tempo and takes it on an urban spin.  Both tracks are right at home among today’s roster of inspirational and contemporary music.