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“Destiny” – Desirée

“Destiny”
Desirée (2012)
http://www.desireelive.com/

“Everything you go through in life is meant to bring you to your destiny.”

Desirée Ogali delivers this line as if taught from experience.  Indeed, the inspirational gospel artist’s bio explains that her current single “Destiny” is the story of her life.  A simple keyboard and drum track support her soprano vocal.

Music has been a major part of Desirée’s life for as long as she can remember.  Her mother is a singer and her father is a singer/band leader in their home country of Nigeria.  By the time she was nine, Desirée was writing and tapping out tunes on the keyboard herself.  She is presently a music director and worship leader in Miami, FL.

“How Glorious and Excellent is Our God” – Freda Battle & The Temple Worshippers f. Rodney Posey

“How Glorious and Excellent is Our God”
Freda Battle & The Temple Worshippers feat. Rodney Posey
From the upcoming CD, How Glorious and Excellent is Our God (Available July 17, 2012)
Peace-O-Mind Music

Just right for a hot summer day of driving along the freeway with the radio up and windows down is “How Glorious and Excellent is Our God,” the feel-good, worship-filled, bumpin’ single from Freda Battle & The Temple Worshippers’ new CD by the same name.  The forthcoming album is their first in six years.

Produced by brothers Gerald and David Langford, “How Glorious and Excellent is Our God” goes hard with big horns, big bass, and big voices–all declaring the greatness of the Lord.  Interposing the hymns your grandma churched on, Battle and the choir insert a stanza of “It Is Well With My Soul” before handing the song over to guest vocalist Rodney Posey and taking it back for their next interjection, “I Will Trust in the Lord,” between the song’s choruses.  Battle then returns the lead chores to Posey for the remainder of the declaration of God’s glory and excellence.

The full-length project drops Tuesday, July 17.

“Giving God the Glory!”

Calhoun

Jacqueline Calhoun of Anderson (TX) and Stephanie Jackson of St. Louis (below) usher in the presence of God through their solo offerings at the GMWA Quartet Division’s Tuesday night program.

Jackson
Editor’s Note: On Thursday, July 12, Stephanie Jackson was named the winner in the solo category of the GMWA Quartet Division’s “Quartet Quest.”  The group G5, consisting of preteens and teens, earned top honors in the quartet/group category.  Winners received a cash prize and will be given a chance to record with quartet producer and CEO of MILestONe Enterprises, Milon Fenner.

Africa's Glorious Lamps make their first GMWA appearance

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Twenty-two years ago, they were all incarcerated for refusing to serve in a force engaged in killing their fellowmen.  Today, they are shouting “hallelujah” and giving God praise for their spiritual and physical freedom.

The Glorious Lamps (left) brought the GMWA crowd to its feet at the Monday night musical, as much for their testimony as for their energy and uptempo song.  Sometime after being incarcerated, the men were overheard singing together, and the rest is simply divine intervention.

“You guys don’t belong in here,” they were told by the official who overheard them.

“And he backed up the truck,” recalls a group member, “and put us on this truck, and [carried] us to the next liberated country, the Ivory Coast.”
Other house-wrecking performances during the Monday night musical were Atlanta’s Chosen Aggregation (“God Specializes”), Timiney and Anasia Figueroa (“I Decided to Make Jesus My Choice”), and the Cincinnati chapter of GMWA with a sweltering medley (“Two Wings/I’ll Fly Away”).  The Dallas chapter’s charging number about the cleansing power of the blood of Jesus was so contagious that the audience spontaneously reprised the vamp as the choir exited the stage.  One spontaneity led to another as a mic toss ensued and “Mama” Sue Roseberry (BET’s Sunday Best 4 finalist) was pulled from her seat in the audience to add fuel to the Holy Ghost fire. 
Last night was a clear indicator that the old songs of the church have not been abandoned for the new.

"Lost in the Presence" – Willis Canada

“Lost in the Presence”
Willis Canada
From the CD, Beyond the Cross (2012)
www.williscanada.com

With appearances on TBN and Daystar, Willis Canada is no stranger to the southern gospel music community. In fact, his current single “Lost in the Presence” reached #2 just last month on the Gospel Music Tour Convention Top 100 charts.

The uptempo song is a catchy albeit explanatory tune for onlookers who may think something’s awry when the saints get their praise on.

“If they think we’re out of order ’cause we can’t stay in our seats…I can hardly hear them talking/I’m not listening very well, ’cause I’m plugged to the power and I’m about to have spell!” Canada sings. It’s all because he’s “lost in the presence of the sweet Holy Ghost.”

Canada is a native of South Boston, VA. In February 2013, he will be a musical guest on the Sunny Skies Gospel Caribbean Cruise. More information about the cruise is available at www.sunnyskiesgospelcruise.com.

Living on the Lord's Side – Lee Williams and the Spiritual QC's

Lee Williams and the Spiritual QC’s 
Living on the Lord’s Side
MCG Records (2011)

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Lee Williams and the Spiritual QC’s are one of the most beloved quartets on the circuit today, and their fans were eagerly awaiting–and I do mean eagerly–more great music like the relatable songs (such as “I’ve Learned to Lean” and “I Can’t Give Up Now”) that caused the group to skyrocket to the height of quartet acclaim.  It’s no surprise that some wonder why their current project Living On the Lord’s Side is filled with recycled material; nine of the twelve tracks were released on the group’s prior albums.

MCG Records says the reason Lee Williams and the Spiritual QC’s re-recorded these songs is “the vast number of written and verbal testimonies that they’ve received and the impact that these have had on so many lives.”  I suppose that’s justifiable, but it would have been great for these tracks to have had some kind of refreshing quality about them–a musical twist, an added bridge, or some reconstructed runs.  “Good Time” is the one rollicking pewburner that delivers on musical newness.  It boasts a thumping bassline, stabbing horns, and an extended vamp that graduates from “good time” to “thank You.”

The mid-tempo title song “Living on the Lord’s Side,” one of the three new tunes, is not quite as engaging.  In fact, it could even be considered a bit bland.  Given the soulful and often bluesy character of the group’s music, it lacks the fervor that one is used to hearing in Williams’ repertoire.  “Touch Me” is the toe-tapper that follows, but the previously released versions remain superior.  Williams has recorded it at least twice before (with his group and with the Racy Brothers), and on this one his voice just isn’t at its best.  What’s more is that he omits the second verse, thereby creating an awkward turn the QC’s didn’t sound altogether ready for.  Additionally, once he’s in the run, he tells a Biblical story (about the woman with the issue of blood) twice verbatim, seeming to have lost his place in the song.  A studio overdub could’ve remedied this.  Nevertheless, by the song’s end, the flat-footed singer’s heartfelt insistence compels listeners to respond to his repeated inquiry, “Did He touch you?!”

“Call Him” is another new track and it features a guest lead by Willie Legon.  Legon’s pleasing tremulous tenor guides the song along its turtle-paced ascent until he tags Williams to drive it to its climax.  “Call Him” mimics the tempo of “I Can’t Give Up Now” and the intensity of “You’ve Been Good” (from the album Good Time); the only real critique here is that at times Legon’s words are not so easy to understand.  An overdub could’ve fixed this, too.

Production issues were the snare (literally and figuratively) for the remake of the mega hit “I’ve Learned to Lean.”  The stomper sounds great until the verse, when the snare’s tone suddenly brightens but then becomes muted again in the chorus. This brightness/mutedness alternates throughout the song, making it completely annoying to listen to once the ears lock in.  The fact that “I Can’t Give Up Now” brings up the rear and features Williams’ emotional testimony makes this otherwise lackluster project redeemable.

Gospel’s iceman Williams and the Spiritual QC’s have secured a place as one of the leading quartets in the nation. The production issues combined with the lack of freshness in the remakes is hard to overlook.  I really wish more time had been spent on post-production to give listeners the caliber of project traditional quartet lovers know the group is capable of.  Living on the Lord’s Side leaves those of us who enjoy the ministry of Lee Williams and the Spiritual QC’s a lot to anticipate for the group’s next project. 

Favorites
“Good Time” – “I Can’t Give Up Now”

Fever Meter
WARM (2 1/2 of 5 Stars)

Victory – Douglas Miller

Douglas Miller
Victory
Universal Music (1993) 

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

A few weeks back, Douglas Miller shared a copy of his CD, Victory, with me.  Although it was one of his releases from the early 90’s, his music reminds one why some gospel songs are hopelessly dated while others are auspiciously timeless.

As one of the most recognizable voices in gospel, Miller’s uptempo choir numbers like “Soldier,” “Victory” (the title track), and the churchy-fied “Trouble Won’t Last Always” carry both a sound and message for Sunday morning 2012 (especially if the church minister of music wants to give the choir baritone a solid lead vocal).  With Miller’s rich tone resonating clearly and beautifully throughout, the slow selections work, too.

While none of the 10 tracks stands up to the classic “My Soul Has Been Anchored,” the flavor of Victory whets one’s appetite for something new by one of the industry’s most unique voices.

Favorite
“Trouble Won’t Last Always”

Fever Meter
SIMMERIN’ (3 of 5 Stars)

THROWBACK VIDEO – Whitney Houston sings backup for mom at gospel show

Watching Mother Cissy Houston pay homage to her daughter “Nippy,” better known as Whitney, at the 2012 BET Awards brought back memories of Cissy’s performance at the Stellar Awards more than 20 years ago.  By then, Whitney had already made quite a name for herself in pop, which was why it was totally endearing and just plain cool to see her sing backup (along with BeBe and CeCe Winans) for her mother on the awards show.  It was apparent that Whitney was moved by her mommy’s stirring performance of the Dorsey song “Peace in the Valley.”  I was fortunate to find the footage on YouTube.

After 70 years, Pearly Gates still spread the good news with aptly named CD

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

For more than 70 years, they’ve ventured into many a highway and hedge, singing God’s praises.  Initially called the Mighty Pearly Gates, their notable songs have included “Help Somebody Else” and “Holding On.”  In 2003, they altered their moniker to the New Pearly Gates while continuing to spread the same “mighty” good news.

On the heels of the New Pearly Gates’ present release, Through It All, GMF’s Libra Boyd asked manager/musician James Bell to talk more about the VA group that has shared stages with the likes of the Sensational Nightingales, the Canton Spirituals, and Lee Williams and the Spiritual QC’s.

Libra:  Who are the members of the New Pearly Gates?

Bell:  You have Pastor James Harden (lead singer); Deacon Raymond Perry (lead singer/background vocalist), Montell Hill (2nd lead/background vocalist), Javon Johnson (background vocalist/bass player), Rodrick Jennings (background vocalist/drummer), David Bullock (lead guitar player), and yours truly, James Bell (keyboard player).

Libra:  Your group originated more than 70 years ago as the Mighty Pearly Gates.  Are the group’s current members the offspring of the originals?

Bell:  No. No offsprings, but Pastor James Harden used to be the drummer for the group at that time.  Then God gave him a vision to restart the group which is now called the New Pearly Gates.

 

 
Libra:  Your new CD is Through It All.  What is the theme or focus of this project?

Bell:  Well, our focus for this project is to let the people know that no matter what problem you may face or what trial you may encounter, when God allows you to open your eyes to see another day, that should be a sign to let you know that “through it all, I made it.” I made it through the storm, and I’m here to still tell the world that it’s going to be alright ’cause as long as you continue to trust God, everything is going to be alright.

Libra:  The song “I’m Still Here” is autobiographical.  Tell us more about the lead vocalist and the inspiration for this song.

Bell:  Well the lead vocalist, which is Deacon Raymond Perry…he used to be able to walk like you and me… put his pants on, put his shirt on, take a bath.  All the little things that we take for granted, he can’t do anymore.  He was struck with a disease that caused him to be this way, and the song is a true testimony of his life and the journey that he is going to continue to walk on. 

Libra:  The New Pearly Gates have performed with some of gospel’s heavy hitters.  What else is on the horizon for the group?

Bell:  Well, we have our anniversary coming up August the 18th….It’s going to be a very big event and we’re looking for a sold out affair. Also, we will be heading to South Bend, Indiana for a nomination that we received for the Black Essence Grammy Award, and that will be October 6th.

Libra:  Congratulations on both!  It has been a pleasure to learn more about the New Pearly Gates.  How can GMF’s readers get Through It All?

Bell:  They can get our CD on www.cdbaby.com or contact us through our official website at www.wix.com/jkeyz03/thenewpearlygates.

 

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