Gospel Music Fever | Recent Articles

Sizzlin’ This Week (7/4/11) – “When the Saints Go Marching In”

“When the Saints Go Marching In”
Louis Armstrong
From the CD, Hallelujah!: Gospel 1930-1941 (2002)
Frémeaux & Associés

Louis Armstrong frequently said his birthday was July 4, 1900. In the mid 1980’s–many years after his death in 1971–baptismal records revealed his true birthdate was in fact August 4, 1901.

In honor of the iconic jazz trumpeter’s unofficial birthday and in celebration of his contributions to American music, my pick this week is Satchmo’s version of the gospel classic turned jazz standard, “When the Saints Go Marching In,” from the CD compilation Hallelujah!: Gospel 1930-1941.

“Resurface” – SkyWay Rec

“Resurface”
SkyWay Rec
From the upcoming CD, Resurface (Available August 20, 2011)
www.skywayrec.com

The hook is, “I’ve been hard at work (work) / Watch me resurface.” It’s more than just the hook for his brand new single “Resurface” though. The work that Christian artist SkyWay Rec raps about is one that began with singing and playing and has grown into a ministry relevant to his generation. Even his stage name bespeaks that, which SkyWay Rec explains.

“When I write, sing, rap or produce, I am in the clouds colliding with God in the spirit! [The name] is the meaning of me and God connecting in the spirit to bring forth what He is saying to the world; hence the name SkyWay Rec. It’s the best ‘wreck’ anyone could ever have!”

“Resurface” is performed alongside slick beats and production with a message that’s hip and hopeful, telling of a renewed sense of purpose. SkyWay Rec’s purpose, of course, is to change lives, break strongholds, and rep the Father.

Resurface, the full-length CD, drops August 20th.

“Happy birthday, Dr. Thomas Dorsey!”

Dr. Thomas A. Dorsey, recognized as the “Father of Gospel Music,” would have turned 102 today. His most famous gospel composition is “Take My Hand, Precious Lord,” though he wrote over 1000 blues and gospel songs during his lifetime.

May we never forget the pioneers on whose shoulders we stand.

"Put It On the Altar" – Jessica Reedy

“Put It On the Altar”
Jessica Reedy
From the upcoming CD, From the Heart (Available Sept. 27, 2011)
http://www.lightrecords.com

I learned two things about Jessica Reedy while watching Sunday Best. First and foremost, the girl can sing; after all, she snagged the runner-up spot amid hefty competition. Secondly, the sister can arrange; surely, you remember her version of the Williams Brothers’ “I’m Still Here” and her infusion of neo-soul into both the lead and harmony vocals.

Hark! Reedy has revealed another fact to her fans: she is a pretty good songwriter. Along with Tony and Nakeia Homer, Reedy has penned “Put It On the Altar,” the second single from her forthcoming debut project, From the Heart.

“Put It On the Altar” is uplifting with a feel-good vibe that we haven’t heard a lot in Reedy’s musical selections so far. The music itself is both fun and nostalgic; crisp horns, a warm electric guitar, block piano chords, and the 2-5-1 turnaround channel Motown circa 1970.

Reedy’s syncopated delivery and signature low register, which magnetized thousands of Sunday Best viewers in season two, are sure to have “Put It On the Altar” heating up radio throughout the summer.

Sizzlin’ This Week (6/27/11) – “Like A Ship”

“Like A Ship”
Maggie Ingram & The Ingramettes
From the vinyl LP, The Miami Riot (1987)
AIR Records

I grew up listening to and enjoying Maggie Ingram and the Ingramettes. So, I guess it sounds just a little bit odd to say that I attended my first Maggie Ingram concert by accident; but I did.

Yep, it was one summer about nine years ago, and our men’s choir had been invited to a musical at Rogers Grove Church International in Durham. That afternoon, the choir and I arrived to find that we were among many groups and choirs also scheduled to perform. I must confess that I was not at all interested in spending my entire Sunday evening at church, and after our choir sang, I was ready to leave. Because I felt badly about wanting to bounce immediately afterward though, I stayed a little longer in support of the other singers and musicians.

After an eternity, which was really only a few groups later, I decided it was time to go. (There’s only so much “Did’ya, did’ya, did’ya get that power?!” I can take at these quartet-styled musicals.) With one hand on my gig bag and the other on my head, I scurried down the aisle. Just as I got to the exit, I heard, “Maggie Ingram and the I-i-i-i-ngra-a-a-m-ettes” roar from the emcee’s mouth. I stopped in my tracks, spun around and said, “Wha-?! Maggie Ingram is here?! Not ‘Richmond, Virginia Flood’ Maggie Ingram?!”

Yes, “Richmond, Virginia Flood” Maggie Ingram. I couldn’t get back to my original seat, up front, fast enough; I scurried back up the aisle as quickly as I had scurried down seconds earlier. This was a lady whose songs–“Like A Ship,” and her older cuts “When Jesus Comes,” and “Got A Mind to Serve the Lord”–blared nearly every Sunday morning on my Smurf novelty transistor radio.

Well let me tell you, despite disobedient mics and a half-filled sanctuary, the statuesque COGIC evangelist and her family wrecked the house–even treating the congregation to a portion of “Richmond, Virginia Flood,” climaxed by the hard-driving “Nobody’s Fault But Mine.”

Maggie Ingram and the Ingramettes are still going strong after more than five decades (even longer for the GMWA Lifetime Achievement Award recipient herself). My pick this week is “Like A Ship” from the group’s most successful album, The Miami Riot, which reached #33 on the Billboard gospel music chart in 1988.

SuperNova – Tre Cosmos

Tre Cosmos
SuperNova

CosMuzik UniverseCity (2011)
www.cosmuzik.com

By Libra Boyd

Gospel Music Fever

The word “Cosmos” may sound like a space term, but according to the bio of Tre Cosmos, “in its original Greek form, the word meant divine order, purpose, and all creation. The people in those times who believed that there was an all-powerful being who created the Heavens and the Earth in its divine order believed in the Cosmos.” Tre Cosmos believes that everything and everyone has a purpose and that God created it to be exactly what it is now.

In late 2009, the multi-talented singer, writer, rapper, and producer rededicated his life (and gift) to Christ and decided to only make music that glorifies Him. At that time Tre Cosmos fully emerged, not just musically, but as a whole new way of living.

The self-proclaimed Christian Indie-Alternative Hip-Hop artist rightfully entitled his debut album SuperNova, released under his indie label CosMuzik. All songs were written, performed, composed, and produced by Tre Cosmos. Recorded at Spotlight Music Studios by Aaron Walker, SuperNova features elements such as acoustic pop, electro hip hop and techno, urban crossover and R&B, neo-soul, virtual orchestra, spoken word, alternative rock, and, well, genres not yet known to man.

One standout on the 12-track project is the melodic, fast moving “Dancing in Heaven” and its contrastingly slow string-laced musical postlude that turns the song into something beautifully angelic. Other notables include the acoustic guitar driven “Hello World” and “It’s Crazy,” which showcases Tre Cosmos’ talent as both a singer and a rapper.

Tre Cosmos doesn’t want to be put in a box. I don’t think he has that to worry about; what on earth, or in heaven, can contain a supernova?

Favorite
“Hello World”

Fever Meter
SIMMERIN’ (3 of 5 Stars)

Sizzlin’ This Week (6/20/11) – “He Did It For Me”

“He Did It For Me”
Castro Coleman and Highly Favored
From the CD, Time Out!!! (2009)
http://catcolenation.com/

Castro Coleman is busy these days. He and his group, Castro Coleman and Highly Favored, have a packed summer schedule; he is on the road (or more fittingly, in the air) with The Melvin Williams Group as a US music ambassador through The Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad; and the man owns his own label, Baby Boy Records.

He definitely has the means to release his creative energy, and that’s exactly what he’s done with “He Did It For Me” from his Time Out!!! project.

“He Did It For Me,” which he labels “New Motown,” resembles cuts by guy groups from the mid to late 1960’s and is rich with a horn section (sax and trombone) and Funk Brothers-like percussion (triangle, hand claps, and a tight crisp snare–where’s the tambourine?). More noticeably, “He Did It For Me” is a mid-tempo feel-good ode of gratitude: “I can’t take the credit for what I have/Said my blessings keep coming through/And I realize that everything in my life–oh–is because You did it for me.”

Viola Crowley of the Clara Ward Singers has passed

Joseph Middleton of The Golden Era Gospel Blog reports the passing of Viola Crowley of the famed Clara Ward Singers. Crowley sang lead on several of the group’s songs including “Traveling Shoes” and “We’re Marching to Zion,” in addition to serving as the group’s pianist for a time. Read The Golden Era Gospel Blog’s announcement here: R.I.P., Viola Crowley of the Clara Ward Singers.

GMF sends its condolences to the family of Viola Crowley.

Photo: The Clara Ward Singers with Elvis Presley in 1969. Viola Crowley is fourth from the right (beside Presley).

Donnie McClurkin opens up about his father

When GMF spoke with Pastor Donnie McClurkin recently, we asked him to talk to us about his father or father figure as well as the impact his/their presence has made on the ministry.

“Well, there are two,” he concedes. “There’s a father and a father figure. My bald-headed, pot-bellied daddy…he is my hero and my friend.” Donnie’s playfulness makes apparent the close bond that now exists between he and his dad, Donald McClurkin, Sr. “He is my roommate. He lives in my house with me–and I emphasize my house. No matter what he says, it’s not his!”

Pensively, McClurkin, father of two himself, continues, “I didn’t understand him growing up. He wasn’t the best of fathers, but none of us are [and] I’m finding out as a father. He made many mistakes, but all of us fathers do, and I’m finding that out as a father too.” It is quite clear, however, that he holds the elder McClurkin in high regard.

“Now in my older age, my 77 year-old daddy lives in my house and we–in 10 years–have never had an argument…because I respect my dad, and I would never speak ill to him,” McClurkin asserts. “I would never raise my voice to him….My dad is my heart,” he confesses, on the verge of tears.

“Now my father figure was a man by the name of David Winans.” The Winans to whom he refers was the patriarch of the Winans gospel music dynasty, fondly known to most as Pop.

“Now everything spiritual that I needed to know? I got that from him. Pop Winans was my example of a holy man who loved his family: loved his wife more than his children, loved his children more than life, and loved God more than all of them.”

Willie Carrington, founding member of The Mighty Harmonaires, goes from labor to reward

GMF extends its sympathy to the family of Mighty Harmonaires’ original member, manager, singer, and lead guitarist Willie Carrington, who passed away Wednesday, June 15th.

Carrington founded the quartet group more than 40 years ago, which over the years has consisted of family and close friends. Carrington’s son Richard, the group’s current lead guitarist, also served a brief stint with the Brooklyn Allstars as bassist. In addition to their travels along the east coast, the Harmonaires are heard live each Sunday morning on Roxboro, NC’s WRXO (1430AM) and WKRX (96.7FM).

Carrington will be remembered for his love of God, love of people, and love of music. Below is the obituary from the Hester, Whitted & Daye Funeral Service website.

___________________

Deacon Willie Richard “Mena” Carrington, Jr., age 79 of 300 Newell Street in Roxboro left to be with the Lord on June 15, 2011 at Duke Medical Center. He was a life time member and Deacon of the Prospect Hill Baptist Church where he served for many years.

He was the manager, leader and retired lead guitar player for The Mighty Harmonaires of Roxboro, NC for over 40 years.

He leaves to cherish his memory two children–his daughter, Cynthia Petty and husband Steven; his son William “Richard” Lee Carrington, Sr. and wife Antoinette both of Roxboro, NC; and six grandchildren–Tiffany Cash (husband Steve); William Richard Lee Carrington, Jr. “RJ” (wife Terri); Cinzia Petty, DeAngelo Lunsford, Stavonna Petty and Alicia Toler. He is also survived by six great grandchildren. Carrington is survived by three sisters–Essie Edwards of Baltimore, MD; Lucille Bailey and Virginia Lester of Roxboro, NC; two sisters-in-law–Hallie Blackwell of Roxboro, NC and Mattie Howard of New Jersey; three brothers-in-law–Gaither Williams, Jr. of Pennsylvania; Jerry Williams and Clarence Blackwell, Sr. both of Roxboro, NC.

Viewing:

Saturday, June 18th

1-8 P.M. (the family will be at the funeral home 7-8 P.M.)

Hester, Whitted & Daye Funeral Service – 603 South Main St, Roxboro

Funeral:

Sunday, June 19th

2 P.M.

Prospect Hill Baptist Church – 301 Bethel Hill School Road, Roxboro