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"I Know Who I Am" – Michelle Williams

“I Know Who I Am”
Michelle Williams
Available at CD Baby

Michelle Williams asserts her identity in Christ in the aptly titled single, “I Know Who I Am.”  Throughout the uptempo praise declaration, Williams testifies to being an overcomer: “‘Cause I’m a victor / Yes I’m a winner / In the presence of my foes, He makes me dinner / I’m a champion / A kingdom heir / Don’t be mad at me ’cause favor ain’t fair!”

Accented with punchy bass, exploding drum licks, and hammering horns, “I Know Who I Am” is right at home on playlists alongside contemporary praise artists like Martha Munizzi.

"Absolutely, Positively" – Shaunda

“Absolutely, Positively”
Shaunda
From the upcoming CD, Sweet Smelling Savour
Available at Shaunda Music

“Absolutely, Positively” is for lovers.  With only piano accompaniment–which Rashaunda McNeil, known simply as Shaunda, plays when performing live–and tender background vocals, Shaunda takes us on an acoustic stroll through the intense emotion of a fulfilling love affair.

You see, this sister is in love.  Just ask her, and she’ll tell you about “JC.”  Shaunda will even tell you how He gave her the inspiration for this neo-soul worship ballad.

“I was playing around with some beautiful chords in the practice room of [North Carolina] A&T’s music room, and I asked the Lord to give me some words. As I was playing I saw the phrase ‘ABSOLUTELY no eating or drinking in this room’–no joke,” she laughs.  “Then I said to myself, ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY.  From there, the words to ‘Absolutely, Positively’ flowed out….Even though seeing the word ‘absolutely’ sparked a start, I honestly believe the lyrics that flowed were in my heart already, from a life of worship to God.”

Whether ministering with Kim Burrell and Earnest Pugh, opening for Mali Music at a neo-soul gathering, serenading couples on their nuptial day, or working within the music and young adult ministries at Cornerstone Christian Community Church (her home base in Oxford, NC), it’s clear that worship is the essence of her being and therefore the thrust of her ministry to others.

“Absolutely, Positively” is currently available at Shaunda Music.  The full-length project, Sweet Smelling Savour, is currently being completed; GMF will keep you posted.

Recordings by C.L. Franklin, Blind Willie Johnson to be preserved by Library of Congress

I recently posted that Rev. Al Green’s 1970’s R&B hit, “Let’s Stay Together” was chosen this year to be included in the National Recording Registry for preservation in the Library of Congress (see “Happy birthday, Rev. Al Green!”).

Well, I am thrilled to learn that Blind Willie Johnson’s “Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground” (1927) and Rev. C.L. Franklin’s sermon, “The Eagle Stirreth Her Nest” (1953) are among gospel recordings selected for the National Recording Registry.  These recordings–which meet registry requirements of being at least 10 years old and culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant–will be digitized in formats that are conducive to long-term preservation.
A complete list of the latest additions to the registry can be viewed here: 2010 Registry.
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In news related to Blind Willie Johnson, I learned from The Black Gospel Blog that efforts are under way to fund a documentary called The Search for “Blind” Willie Johnson and the Texas Gospel.  According to the Kickstarter campaign site, the film will also examine the musical contributions of Washington Phillips, Arizona Dranes and The Soul Stirrers.  More information about the documentary and fundraising campaign is available at this site: The Search for “Blind” Willie Johnson and the Texas Gospel.
(Photos: top left, Rev. C.L. Franklin; bottom right, Blind Willie Johnson)

Sizzlin’ This Week (4/25/11) – “A God Somewhere”

“A God Somewhere”
Inez Andrews and the Andrewettes featuring Liz Dargan
Originally released on the Songbird Records label
Available as an mp3 download on Amazon

It is terribly hard to beat the hardcore, organic sounds of gospel music from its Golden Era and the years that immediately follow.  This week, trust me when I tell you this sizzler is a T-H-R-O-W-B-A-C-K!

Inez Andrews is known as one of the dynamos of the legendary Caravans.  Her wailing (and often shrieking) lead on Caravans numbers such as “I’m Not Tired Yet,” “I’m Willing to Wait,” and “Oh Mary Don’t Weep” helped to solidify the group’s position as one of the most successful female groups of the era.  In the early 1960’s, Andrews branched out, forming her own group called Inez Andrews and the Andrewettes.  This week’s sizzler features her group with the belting contralto of Liz Dargan on lead.  (In another spin-off, Dargan also eventually left the Andrewettes to form her own group, the Gospelettes.  They too were signed to Songbird Records.)

“A God Somewhere” was released on the album called The Need of Prayer (1963) and as a 7-inch vinyl single in 1965.  While it is going to be difficult to find in these formats, you can download it as an mp3 on Amazon.

(Photo: Inez Andrews, right, and the Andrewettes with Liz Dargan on lead)

Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson fans can expect to ‘LOL’ at his next live recording

GMF learned today that Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson is gearing up for a live recording on Thursday, April 28, 2011, and it’s going to leave you in stitches.  Yep, you may have a hand-clapping, foot-stomping good time with the award-winning quartet sensation, but this go-round it will be because of his punchlines.

Johnson recently announced on his Facebook page, “The wait is over! Those that [have] been asking for me 2 do a comedy cd, I’m doin’ a live recording on Thursday, April 28th, at 55 Pleasant Grove Rd, Lynchburg, SC 29080.  Take I-95 to exit 141, [and] go behind da [sic] shell gas station. Join me as we laugh!”

Johnson is not the first gospel artist to showcase comedic talent.  In 1999, Vickie Winans released a comedy CD called Share the Laughter (which peaked at #20 on Billboard Gospel), and more recently she released The Vickie Winans Laugh While You Lose fitness DVD.

The live comedy recording starts at 7pm and admission is free.

Official Music Video by K-Praise – "Count Your Blessings"

“Count Your Blessings” Official Music Video (2011)
K-Praise
I AM Records

K-Praise’s new hip-hop music video, “Count Your Blessings” is an attention-grabber for sure.  The eye-catching graphics, fast-paced transitions, and creative logo parodies will hold your interest, but it’s the lyrical flow and content that’ll have you and your mama bobbing your heads and naming your blessings right along with the young Oklahoma-based gospel rapper.

K-Praize, born Kevieion Johnson, made his recording debut in 2004, and was given his stage name (which stands for Kevieion Praising God) shortly thereafter.

The “Count Your Blessings” audio track is one of sixteen on K-Praise’s current CD release, Kingdom Certified (Reinforced).  The project is available at iTunes.  The official music video is below.

Lee Williams & The Spiritual QC’s prep for live recording in August 2011

 

MCG Records is calling it “the most powerful gospel music event in Atlanta’s history.”  Lee Williams and The Spiritual QC’s are set to record live at The Greater Traveler’s Rest Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA, on August 20, 2011.  The concert is dedicated to the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The group is known for its flat-footed, yet hard-driving approach to traditional gospel quartet music.  This is the approach that propelled them to national acclaim seemingly overnight, and today, keeps them atop gospel music charts and radio station playlists.

Joining Lee Williams and The Spiritual QC’s for the live recording are The Alabama Spirituals and Doug and Melvin Williams of the Williams Brothers.

Additional information is available at www.mcgrecords.com.

Editor’s Picks of the (Easter) Season

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Easter is, by many, one of the most celebrated seasons in the Christian liturgical year.  Consequently, it is no surprise that there is an abundance of glorious gospel music to match.

It was excruciating, but I did it: I limited my picks to ten classic (or destined to be classic) gospel recordings.  In random order, here are my favorites for one of the most wonderful times of the year:

He Was Hung Up for My Hangups
Twinkie Clark
From Home Once Again: Live in Detroit (2004)
 
No Fault
Lee Williams & The Spiritual QC’s
From Good Time (2000)
 
Albertina Walker CD artOh Lord Remember Me
Albertina Walker
From Songs of the Church (1997)
 
The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power
Andrae Crouch
From Take the Message Everywhere (1969)
 
Jesus Paid It All
Margaret Allison & The Angelic Gospel Singers
From Lord You Gave Me Another Chance (1989)
 
The Blood Still Has Miraculous Power
Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers
From Awesome Wonder (2001)
 
Medley: There’s A Fountain/Room at the Cross for You/The Old Rugged Cross
Shirley Caesar
From Hymns (2001)
 
O The Blood
New Jersey Mass Choir
From Hold Up the Light (1987)
 
Marvelous 
Walter Hawkins & The Love Center Choir
From Love Alive V – 25th Anniversary Reunion (1998)
 
Blood Medley
Donnie McClurkin
From Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs (2005)

 

Sizzlin' This Week (4/18/11) – "I Know It Was the Blood"

“I Know It Was the Blood”
Smokie Norful feat. Joe Ligon & the 12th District AME Mass Choir
From the CD, How I Got Over…Songs That Carried Us (2011)
EMI Gospel

Regardless of whose project he’s featured on, it’s safe to say that if Joe Ligon is singing, it’s going to be churchy.

Well, this time the quartet legend teams up with the phenomenal Smokie Norful, and just right for the Lenten season is their rendering of “I Know It Was the Blood,” on Norful’s How I Got Over…Songs That Carried Us.  Church is exactly where they take you, singing about the blood of Jesus with such conviction that you have the impression that they were eyewitnesses to that dark hour at Calvary.

Historic Malaco Records structures destroyed in storm

GMF is sad to learn that an historic music landmark is nearly reduced to rubble.

Malaco Records was destroyed yesterday by destructive storms.  Malaco has been the home to numerous blues and gospel performers throughout its 44 year existence.  Its gospel roster has included greats like The Jackson Southernaires, The Soul Stirrers, The Sensational Nightingales, The Williams Brothers, the Angelic Gospel Singers, and the Mississippi Mass Choir, among many others.

The owners, staff, and artists are in our thoughts and prayers.

NBC affiliate WLBT has the report here.