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"The Holy One" – Patricia LaVerne McQueen

“The Holy One”
Patricia LaVerne McQueen
From the CD, It’s All About Love (2014)
McDuJo Gospel Music
Available at Amazon

Patricia LaVerne McQueen It's All About Love cover art

Patricia LaVerne McQueen skillfully converts Scripture to song.  It’s perhaps the primary reason she’s called “The Word Singer.” Just as engaging as her ability to craft lyrics from Scripture is the sheer artistry of her vocal delivery (reminiscent of jazz greats Nancy Wilson, Lena Horne, and Natalie Cole), which is immediately apparent in “The Holy One” from her 10-track upbeat jazzy CD, It’s All About Love. 

McQueen’s talent is honed through years of experience, including her four-year tenure as an original member of the internationally acclaimed a cappella ensemble, Sweet Honey in the Rock.  And just in case you’re wondering, she is the same Patricia (Pat Johnson, at the time) who recorded the 1972 R&B hit single “Love Brought You Here.”

The strength of “The Holy One” is the intimacy of conversation between McQueen and the listener, conveyed with McQueen’s lush jazz runs and just enough scatting to tease a jazz enthusiast.  The unblemished execution of her solo as she walks through Biblical texts that point to the deity of Jesus Christ is the perfect union of style and substance.

McQueen is presently an evangelist at Seed of Faith Ministries in California.

The Rance Allen Group readies for new project

Pictured from left: Chris Byrd, Tom Allen, Floyd Timeless Thomas, Rance Allen, Steve Allen, and Sidney Scott, following a recording session for the Rance Allen Group’s new project. 

Tyscot Music released this photo along with a heads up that the Rance Allen Group has been working on music for a new project, set for release later this year. According to the press release, the project is a “fresh, new twist to their classic sound.” A debut single is forthcoming.

Pop/soul Christian artist Kima Charysse drops ‘Heaven’

Pop/soul Christian singer Kima Charysse (pronounced Key-ma Sha-
reese) has released a brand new single entitled, “Heaven,” available at iTunes.


In a press release, the Atlanta-based artist says:

“Heaven” is about those of us who are seeking something outside ourselves that we just can’t seem to find.  It speaks from a tangible and relatable view point that is sure to grab hearts and remind us of the big picture.   

The mid-tempo single is an introduction to a variety of styles represented on Kima’s forthcoming full-length project, set to drop later this year, reads the press release.

Al "The Bishop" Hobbs, National GAG Chair of GMWA, dies [Arrangements]

Al “The Bishop” Hobbs, Chairman of the National Gospel Announcers Guild of the Gospel Music Workshop of America, Inc., died today.  He battled cancer in recent years, and just this week, he was saluted during a tribute program at the 47th annual GMWA convention festivities.

Having seen and heard Al from a distance down through the years, I finally met him two years ago at GMWA.  Talking with him was like chatting with a longtime friend.  He will be sorely missed across the gospel music industry.

Read more by Bob Marovich of The Journal of Gospel Music here: Gospel Community Mourns Loss of Al “The Bishop” Hobbs

Condolences can be sent to the Hobbs Residence, 9009 Shetland Court, Indianapolis, IN 46278.  Arrangements are as follows:

Friday, August 15, 2014
Viewing
3 – 6 PM
Prelude
6 – 7 PM
Musical 
7 – 11 PM

Saturday, August 16, 2014
Viewing
8 – 10 AM
Service
10 AM

All services will take place at Christ Church Apostolic, 6601 Grandview Drive, Indianapolis, IN, and will also be streamed live here.

Gospel Music Fever gets a new look

Finally.  


WELCOME! Welcome to the redesigned Gospel Music Fever site. We hope the improvements we’ve made are obvious at first glance: easier access to all of the site’s content and more prominence for the artists that we feature.  You’ll also notice a new GMF feature we’ve devoted to the NC scene (since that’s my home state and hotbed of great gospel music).  


Here are a couple of caveats as you engage with the new layout.  First, major site changes are heavy-duty work and glitches are inevitable; thanks in advance for your patience as we figure them out and get them fixed. Secondly, if searching via Google, Yahoo, etc. or if following a link from social media, you may find that a few of our links have moved. No worries!  If this happens, you can simply go to the GMF homepage–www.gospelmusicfever.com–and find it there via the search box in the orange bar.  


GMF is still all about the business of uplifting and advancing gospel music and its artists, and we are excited to continue to do so.


Enjoy the new Gospel Music Fever experience.  Let us know what you think.


Libra Boyd
Founder & Editor

R.I.P. Phyllis Brown of the Brown Sisters [Arrangements]

From Facebook

GMF is sorry to learn of the passing of Phyllis Brown (far left) of the Brown Sisters from Chicago.  


Latrea Morrow of examiner.com reports more here: Chicago gospel community mourns the loss of The Brown Sisters’ beloved Phyllis

Arrangements are as follows, according to the The Brown Sisters’ Facebook page (8/5/14):

Friday, August 8, 2014
Wake
4 – 8 PM
Gatling’s Funeral Home
10130 S. Halsted
Chicago, IL 60628

Saturday, August 9, 2014
Wake/Musical
10 -11AM
Funeral 
11 – 1 PM
Rock of Ages Missionary Baptist Church
1309 Madison St.
Maywood, IL

Please send condolences to Pastor Ben and Alberta Brown, 32 N. Kostner Avenue, Chicago, IL 60624.

"Witness" – Christian Gill

“Witness”
Christian Gill (2014)
www.christiangillmusic.com

Christian Gill Witness art work

He’s been singing since he was three. Now Christian Gill is in high school, and his aspirations are clearer: he wants people to be “inspired to bless and worship God through his music.” Thankfully, we have the opportunity to do so as we listen to Christian’s current single, “Witness,” downloadable via iTunes.

With his generation in mind, Christian makes full use of synths and percussion for a head-bobbing, speaker-thumping effect as he recites John 10:10. He then jolts into multi-layered lead and self-backing vocals proclaiming, “There’s nobody that can love me like You can / Can’t nobody do the things that You can…”

Christian has racked up several honors in his young career, including Best Soloist at Disney’s Annual GospelFest and winner of Amateur Night at the Apollo “Stars of Tomorrow.”  Presently, the talented New Yorker is a praise and worship leader at his church, Greater Blessed Hope.

"The King" – Drew Chambers ft. Armar'rae Hill & True Foundation

“The King”
Drew Chambers ft. Armar’rae Hill & True Foundation (2014)
Available at iTunes

Drew Chambers "The King" art work

Nearly as fast as BET Sunday Best 7 axed him (July 20) after a pristine performance of Smokie Norful’s “I Need You Now,” Drew Chambers released a single for his already huge following (peep his Facebook page), and his newly acquired fans.

“The King,” which features Armar’rae Hill and True Foundation, is equally friendly to radio and worship team playlists.  Drew’s eclectic blend of worship and soul intensifies the reverent tune and is an impeccable complement to the vocals of Hill and his team of talented singers.

Drew is a native of Hickory, NC (of which I’m familiar, because I’m also a North Carolinian), and is definitely one to watch.  You can do just that at drewchambersonline.com.

Damion Murrill and Siloam 'give God the glory'

Damion Murrill and Siloam
Photo | Brittney White
Damion Murrill (foreground, left) and Siloam
minister to a capacity congregation at the Yancey Family Ministries “Giving God the Glory” Gospel Explosion at Cornerstone Christian Community Church in Oxford, NC Saturday evening.  Their forthcoming CD is scheduled to drop this summer and features the group’s current single, “Kingdom Come.”