Tag: NC Scene

Sizzlin’ This Week (9/19/11) – “Yet Love”

“Yet Love”
Luther Barnes & the Sunset Jubilaires
Atlanta International Records (2011)
www.malaco.com

Luther Barnes is recognized as much for his easy-listening ballads as for his driving quartet tunes and churchy choir numbers.

“Yet Love,” his new single with the Sunset Jubilaires, is soon to be another hallmark of the Barnes repertoire. Its message is one of overcoming life’s hurts and disappointments and choosing the spiritually mature path of love and forgiveness.

Over a warm electric piano–later accentuated with finger-snapping percussion, electric bass, and a full drum kit–Barnes croons beautifully crafted lyrics, recounting emotional journeys to which most relate–brokenness, abandonment, and loneliness.

“But the Word of God in you stood strong,” the Sunset Jubilaires declare. “You’ve learned how to yet love!”

Rev. James Herndon and chorus present concert of gospel pearls

 

 

Rev. James Herndon of the famed Caravans (1959-1967), and the Interdenominational Male Chorus gave a rousing concert Sunday afternoon at Durham’s Mt. Gilead Baptist Church.  Under Rev. Herndon’s direction, the chorus’s performances included hymns as well as classics by Jessy Dixon (“I Am Redeemed”), Albertina Walker (“I Can Go to God in Prayer”), Alvin Darling (“All Night”), and Walter Hawkins (“Marvelous”).  In addition to directing, in trademark fashion, Rev. Herndon moved the audience with his sermonic introductory narratives to each selection.
 
The Interdenominational Male Chorus was founded in the Triangle area in 2002.  The choir’s accompanist is Lennis Cooper, Jr.
 
Also appearing on the program was the soulful female quintet, Powerful Elegance.
 
GMF’s Libra Boyd has posted “I Can Go to God in Prayer,” featuring Rev. Herndon and the choir on YouTube: The Caravans’ Rev. James Herndon Sings!!.

 

Photo by Libra Boyd

Sizzlin’ This Week (9/5/11) – “How Many Will Be Remembered?”

“How Many Will Be Remembered?”
Shirley Caesar
From the DVD, After 40 Years: Still Sweeping Through the City (2007)
Light Records/Shubel

Originally released in the 1970’s on vinyl, “How Many Will Be Remembered?” is dually a salute and a poignant reminder of all the unheralded heroes and heroines who have made sacrifices for the good of mankind.

The song’s lyrics prove to be both timeless and timely.  “How Many Will Be Remembered?” tops my personal video playlist for this week as we celebrate the recent Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial dedication, and as we commemorate the tragedies of September 11, 2001.

You can watch Pastor Caesar’s performance of the song here.

John K. Thorpe honored at "house-wrecking" appreciation musical

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Thankfully, the modest structure of Timberlake, NC’s New Hope Person Missionary Baptist Church is still intact after the major house-wrecking that occurred there Saturday night, August 20th.

 
The occasion was an appreciation musical for John Kermit Thorpe, lead singer of sibling group, the Thorpe Family and a long-time member of the Brower Brothers of New Jersey.  The four hour celebration, emceed by WRXO’s David Ramsey, featured hard-driving quartet music from the Thorpe Family, New Hope Person Male Chorus–of which Thorpe is also a member, the Spiritual Lights of Rougemont, New Creation, the True Lights of Bahama, the Spiritual Messengers, 14 year-old Tahmique Cameron, and Minister Brenda Hunt-Moore, who when describing Thorpe’s passion, commented that he is the only person she knows who will travel “a thousand miles to sing one song, won’t get paid a dime, and will come back just as happy as he can be.”  Among several other tributes and presentations–some tearful and some humorous–were congratulatory letters from Mayor Bill Bell of Durham and the Durham County Board of Commissioners, and special remarks from host pastor, Rev. W.L. Richardson.
 
At the close of the evening, Thorpe expressed his gratitude to the near capacity crowd before singing “Child of God” from his CD In His Name, followed by James Fortune’s “I Believe” as a special dedication to his wife, Stella.
 
Thorpe was honored for his community involvement, his dedication to gospel music, and his contributions throughout the east coast in advancement of the art form.
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Below left:  James Thorpe (left) and brother McCollins transform “He Understands, He’ll Say ‘Well Done'” into a high-gear foot stomper with the Thorpe Family.

Below center: RuBena Cooper-Woods (front) loosens the ceiling tiles with “I’m Working on the Building.”  The group New Creation was among the house-wreckers at John K. Thorpe’s appreciation musical.  The honoree is in the background, behind Cooper-Woods, looking on.

Below right:  John and Stella Thorpe enjoy one of the numerous tributes of the four-hour service.

Sizzlin' This Week (8/22/11) – "Turnin' Things Around"

“Turnin’ Things Around”
George, Jr.
From the CD, The Signature of “G”
www.trueideasmusicentertainment.com

George Dickens, Jr. is the Stellar Award-winning songwriter behind Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson’s hit song “I Made It,” from his 2006 Just Being Me album (also featured on WOW Gospel 2007).  The Oak City, NC native is also a frontman and songwriter in his father’s group, George Dickens and the Gospel Disciples.

His recent effort is a solo project, The Signature of “G” which features “Turnin’ Things Around.”  An uplifting mid-tempo tune from start to finish, Dickens testifies of God’s provision and protection before cruising into a vamp that deposits in the spirits of all who’ll believe: “He’s turnin’ things around,” “He’s workin’ it out,” and “I can feel it!”

With Dickens’ Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson-esque lead, tight background vocals, and a laid-back yet forward-moving music arrangement laced with a sweet rhythm guitar, “Turnin’ Things Around” is my pick this week!

Appreciation musical for Nightingales’ “JoJo” Wallace set for this Saturday

GMF reminds you to show your support for one of NC’s own pioneering gospel singers, Brother Joseph “JoJo” Wallace, lifelong singer and guitarist of the world renowned Sensational Nightingales.

What:  “An Evening with Brother Joseph Wallace and Friends”
When: Saturday, June 11, 2011, at 3 P.M.
Where:  Union Baptist Church, 904 N. Roxboro Street – Durham, NC
Admission: FREE; an offering will be received for the Joseph Wallace Scholarship Fund

You can read GMF’s recent post announcing the appreciation musical and guests here: Nightingales’ Joseph “JoJo” Wallace to be honored with musical celebration.

Pictured in the circa 1954-55 photo are, clockwise from top:  Willie “Bill” Woodruff, Carl Coates, Joseph “JoJo” Wallace, Ernest James, and Julius “June” Cheeks.   GMF thanks Opal Nations for verifying this caption.

Nightingales' Joseph "JoJo" Wallace to be honored with musical celebration

The Sensational Nightingales were one of the fiercest quartet-styled groups of gospel’s golden age, and he’s been singing and playing professionally with them since 1946, just as that era in gospel music history was budding.  On Saturday, June 11th, quartet legend Brother Joseph “JoJo” Wallace, who is still a lead singer and guitarist for the internationally known quartet will be celebrated for his 65 years of ministry with the group.
“An Evening with Brother Joseph Wallace and Friends” takes place at Durham, NC’s Union Baptist Church on 904 N. Roxboro Street and starts at 3:00 PM.  Tributes by The Sensational Nightingales, Darrell and Ricky Luster, John K. Thorpe, New Hope Person Baptist Church Male Chorus under the direction of Libra Nicole Boyd, The Hillian Sisters,  Billy Warden, Evangelist Carolyn Satterfield and others are planned.  A couple of surprise musical guests are also expected to pay tribute.
The event is free and everyone is invited; a freewill offering will be received.  Proceeds go to The Joseph Wallace Scholarship Fund.

Top: Pictured in the circa 1954-55 photo are, clockwise from top:  Willie “Bill” Woodruff, Carl Coates, Joseph “JoJo” Wallace, Ernest James, and Julius “June” Cheeks.   GMF thanks Opal Nations for verifying this caption.

Bottom:  Brother Joseph “JoJo” Wallace ministers in concert with The Sensational Nightingales.

Raleigh-Durham radio personality uses voice to inspire on, off air

Carolyn Pettiford-Ryals

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Carolyn Pettiford-Ryals lights up the WNCU-90.7FM airwaves nearly every Sunday morning with traditional choir and quartet gospel music.  As co-host of “Hallelujah Praise,” the Raleigh-Durham radio personality believes in using her voice and popularity to encourage her listeners–a weekly audience of more than 40,000, not counting the online streamers.

Last year, when God spoke to her about inspiring and uplifting women in a personal and more intimate way, she heeded; the result was a retreat called “It’s You And Me.”  Following the first successful event, Pettiford-Ryals received testimonies from women whom she says were “released from emotional hurt and bondage.”  She sensed that the fellowship must continue, and that healing was to become its primary focus.

“[It’s for] healing souls and healing the broken-hearted,” says Pettiford-Ryals.  “Sometimes you’re in bondage emotionally and you can’t tell people what you feel.  In the retreats, there is freedom to share your experiences and how to get through them.”

The atmosphere is relaxed and supportive–it’s a safe haven.  In fact, one of the ground rules is that what is shared within the sessions is held in confidence among attendees.

“Some of the things [disclosed] are so personal, that in order for healing to take place, the people have to know this is a safe place to open up,” expresses Pettiford-Ryals.

Each topic of discussion is decided through prayer.  Grief, sickness, and betrayal are among the topics that have been covered so far.  Last year, a health segment was implemented to bring awareness to women’s health issues.

“With each retreat, I plan to implement a little more.”

Pettiford-Ryals adds, “The retreats are so powerful!  People don’t even want to leave the room to go to the restroom….the Spirit is so high and it rests so sweetly.”

The next “It’s You and Me” Women’s Retreat is set for this Saturday, May 7.

Place:  Millennium Hotel
Time:  9am – 4pm (breakfast bar is 9-10am)
Registration: $30 per person

Click the flyer for more details.

 
 

"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.