Category: Reviews

“Just That Good (The Albertina Walker Tribute)” – Dorothy Norwood

“Just That Good (The Albertina Walker Tribute)”
Dorothy Norwood
From the upcoming CD, God’s Been Just That Good (Available March 20, 2012)
http://www.malaco.com/

Dorothy Norwood is warming up traditional radio with her current single “Just That Good (The Albertina Walker Tribute).”

Norwood, this year’s recipient of the Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones Legend Award at the Stellars, joins Monica Lisa Stevenson and Bishop J.D. Means for a traditional tribute to her friend and mentor, Albertina Walker.  Rather than somberly reminiscing, the Caravans alumna opts to esteem her comrade before forging ahead into the uplifting song of gratitude and praise.

"Awesome God" – Maurette Brown Clark

“Awesome God”
Maurette Brown Clark
From the CD, The Sound of Victory (2011)
www.maurettebrownclark.com

Maurette Brown Clark is the kind of singer that can usher you right into the presence of the Lord, and the vertical “Awesome God” from her The Sound of Victory project is confirmation.

The choir along with gospel music’s sweetheart worship their way through the song’s alternating stanzas, with each set getting a modulation and an additional layer of instruments.  “Awesome God” crescendos to its zenith shortly after the three-minute mark, before bursting into its refrain: “Oh You/Oh You/You are an awesome God!”

Maurette’s ability to lead you into the Lord’s presence makes it likely that you will lose yourself in worship and forget all about her simple but intense lead vocals and exhortations.

"Burn It All Down" – Lexi

“Burn It All Down”
Lexi
Available online March 13, 2012
www.foreverlexi.com

Lexi’s brand new single “Burn It All Down” is a worshipful plea for the Lord’s refining fire to “wipe out my sin and purify me again…leave only You/Let nothing stand in the place of Your truth.”  Lexi’s fervent prayer is sure to find its way to contemporary worship sets everywhere.

The songstress and media personality will debut her single live this weekend at Radio One’s Praise 103.9 Inspiration and Music Conference in Philadelphia.

"Burn It All Down" – Lexi

“Burn It All Down”
Lexi
Available online March 13, 2012
www.foreverlexi.com

Lexi’s brand new single “Burn It All Down” is a worshipful plea for the Lord’s refining fire to “wipe out my sin and purify me again…leave only You/Let nothing stand in the place of Your truth.”  Lexi’s fervent prayer is sure to find its way to contemporary worship sets everywhere.

The songstress and media personality will debut her single live this weekend at Radio One’s Praise 103.9 Inspiration and Music Conference in Philadelphia.

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)

"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)
newcreationsings@gmail.com

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.