"I Love to Praise Him" – Mississippi Mass Choir

“I Love to Praise Him”
Mississippi Mass Choir
From the CD, Then Sings My Soul (2011)
http://www.mississippimass.com

Mississippi Mass Choir and Mosie “Mama” Burks don’t believe in messing up a good thing.  The choir’s popular silver-haired lead vocalist has become known for putting her spin on hit songs of yesteryear written by the likes of Dorothy Love Coates (“Holding On” and “They Got the Word [City Built Foursquare]”), Inez Andrews (“I’m Not Tired Yet”), and others.  Rev. Milton Biggham’s arrangement of the late Rev. Jessy Dixon’s “I Love to Praise His Name” is about as appropriate as any to continue the trend.

This hand-clapper adheres to the pattern of Mama Burks’ other high-speed classics: a big brass section, a rocking choir, and a spirited frontwoman with vigor and vibrato.

Pop music writer profiles Dorothy Love Coates

It’s always refreshing to read about the artistry and impact of trailblazers from gospel’s Golden Age.  Today, Mary Colurso of The Birmingham News spotlights the inimitable Dorothy Love Coates.

Nowadays, Coates is perhaps best known for the songs she composed.  However, at the height of her stardom, her gravelly voice and theatrical stage presence drew the attention of singers both sacred and, well, “worldly,” as it was called in the 1950’s and 60’s.

Read about her and her lasting contributions to music here:  Year of Alabama Music: Dorothy Love Coates.