Tag: Quartets

"He'll Fix It" – Apostle James Alston and Fellowship

“He’ll Fix It”
Apostle James Alston and Fellowship
From the CD, The Movement (2013)
Available at iTunes

Apostle James Alston and Fellowship

“He’ll Fix It” has several of the ingredients expected in a down-home quartet drive: bass and drums in the pocket, screams, shouts, intense throaty lead vocals, and tag-team exchanges in the vamp.  Apostle James Alston goes to work early in the number before “feel[ing] this thing in [his] sanctified soul]” and letting out a screeching yelp.

Lead guitar kicks off the foot-stomper, followed by Apostle Alston and Fellowship who charge off full speed ahead: “My God will fix it for you / Runnin’ out of money–He’ll fix that too / Doctors quit on you and walked away / My God will fix it for you.” Javon Johnson trades lines with Apostle Alston in the vamp.

A native of Henderson, NC, Apostle Alston and Fellowship are presently based in Portsmouth, VA.

Paul Porter – The Healing Testimony [Video]

Motown Gospel artist Paul Porter, formerly of the Christianaires, shares a powerful testimony of God’s miracle-working power.

Watch as he recalls the long road to recovery from blindness, an aneurysm, and subsequent paralysis.


Stellar Awards announces change in quartet category

Recently posted on the Stellar Awards website:

Stellar Awards Fan Favorite Quartet of the Year

Although Quartets are a staple in the gospel music industry, the Stellar Awards criteria does not facilitate nationwide inclusion. Therefore, the category would be eliminated. However, because of the importance of quartets, the Stellar Awards Executive Board and Nominating Committee voted to have a separate Fan Favorite Quartet category, consisting of quartet projects released during our eligibility period. The Stellar Nominating Committee identified the quartets that will appear on the initial ballot and this initial list includes those quartets that were qualified to meet the initial Stellar Awards criteria.
The first Fan Favorite Quartet ballot will be available online at www.thestellarawards.com from October 25, 2013 – November 8, 2013. The top vote-getters from that ballot will move on to a second and final ballot, which will be voted on from November 15th to November 29th. The top four vote-getters from the second ballot will become the Fan Favorite Quartet Nominees and the winner will be announced during the Stellar Awards Pre-Show in Nashville on Friday, January 17, 2014.

History: Complete Early Recordings – The Yancey Family Singers

The Yancey Family Singers
History: Complete Early Recordings
Yancey Family Ministries (2013)
www.yanceyfamilyministries.org

Yancey Family Singers cover art

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

The Yancey family is to the North Carolina city of Oxford what the Winans are to Detroit.  Full of singing, writing, and musical talent, the 11-sibling family has shared their brand of traditional gospel throughout the region for decades; it’s a legacy passed on to them by their parents, Melcina and the late Willie G. Yancey.  Their longtime supporters probably own the first vinyl records released under the name The Yancey Family Singers.  For younger ones like me—who own the more recent CDs and mp3s by those who’ve become solo artists in their own right—it’s a real treat to be able to step back in time via History: Complete Early Recordings, a 30-track double-disc compilation of the family’s early LPs and 45s.  The Yanceys are grateful to collector John Glassburner who supplied them with several of the hard-to-find original recordings that they were not able to easily access.

The CD set features music from two of their 1970’s albums, God Brought Us From A Mighty Long Way and Mind Your Own Business as well as several singles.  The set also includes two early 70’s tracks from The Yancey Glorietts, younger siblings of The Yancey Family Singers.  The presentation of the early performances is as initially recorded, and there doesn’t appear to have been any remixing or remastering (which may explain the volume adjustments you’ll need to make and the clipping you’ll hear on just a few of the tracks).  Among the standouts is “God Brought Us From A Mighty Long Way,” a retrospective musical narrative through which Willie N. Yancey recalls the family’s humble beginnings—when there were only four siblings and their father worked for a meager wage (60¢/hour), while Mother Yancey handmade their clothes to help make ends meet. Yet, “we were thankful…He brought us from a mighty long way.”

The compilation boasts its share of homespun quartet selections, including the punchy “Jesus Never Let Me Down” and sauntering “He Loves Me”—both of which hint at stylings of the Williams Brothers and Jackson Southernaires.  One might even think the Keynotes’ Paul Beasley showed up for a vocal workout, but it’s actually the keen falsetto of Willard Yancey on “Jesus Don’t Leave Me.”  Another tune, “Poor Man Cry,” ambles into country music territory and still another, “Pray for the Nation,” wallows in bluegrass as it tugs on our social consciousness.

The folksy “God’s and Satan’s War” puts sister Susie out front, while “I Had A Dream” and “You And God” are respectively plaintive and cautionary, capturing the piping vocals of a preteen Larry Yancey on the former and a barely teen Gloretta McNeil née Yancey on the latter.  Along with a pair of “mother” songs, the remaining numbers are quintessential Yancey gems that bespeak Dorothy Norwood’s endorsement of the singing family as the “best kept secret of Granville County.”  Of course, in the minds of all the Yanceys’ longtime friends, fans, and followers far and near, the secret has long been out.

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“God Brought Us From A Mighty Long Way” – “He Loves Me”- “I Had A Dream”

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SMOKIN’ (4 of 5 Stars)

"Redeemed" – The Golden Wings Quartet

“Redeemed”
The Golden Wings Quartet
From the CD, Redeemed – Live in Richmond, VA (2013)
4 Winds Records

Golden Wings Quartet artwork

The Golden Wings Quartet’s new stomper “Redeemed” is the kind of song that makes Tupelo synonymous with downhome quartet music these days.

Written by guitar beast Alton Hollis, the song takes its place among others that affirm the oft told conversion story: “I’ve been saved / I’ve been sanctified / I feel alright / I’ve been redeemed!”

The Golden Wings Quartet was formed in 1970, and has traveled extensively spreading the gospel message.

"God Has Been So Good to Me" – The Brooklyn Allstars

“God Has Been So Good to Me”
The Brooklyn Allstars
From the CD, Live in Richmond, VA (2013)
4 Winds Records

Brooklyn Allstart Live in Richmond art work

“Even a blind man can see how good God’s been to me,” declare The Brooklyn Allstars in their uptempo number, “God Has Been So Good to Me.”  The single, which expresses a widely shared sentiment, appears on the group’s CD, Live in Richmond, VA, due out today.

Founder Rev. Thomas Spann, whose bass ad-libs are sprinkled along the single’s backdrop, talked with GMF’s Libra Boyd in June about the Allstars’ signature sound.  You can read it here: Brooklyn Allstars’ Thomas Spann reflects on “signature sound that I didn’t realize I had”.

The Wardlaw Brothers release song to support cancer patients and families (video)

(Lyons, GA) Cancer is a group of diseases that in one form or another has affected loved ones, friends or even oneself.  Cancer does not respect age, ethnicity or gender.  Millions all over the world have suffered, but, millions are surviving!  The popular gospel group The Wardlaw Brothers (TWB) are among those who have experienced this painful disease within their own family and are on a mission to spread hope and assist those who are suffering, as well as to celebrate those who have survived. 

To honor all persons who have been touched in some way by cancer, The Wardlaw Brothers have written and released a special song, “We Will Survive.” The single is available only on iTunes with portions of the proceeds from the sale of the single to benefit two Georgia-based foundations.  TWB has partnered with The Nick Eason Foundation and The Pretty in Pank Foundation who are on the same mission, to offer support to those affected by this disease.
TWB is requesting that everyone partner with them in support of this effort by not only downloading the single, but by watching and sharing the companion video.  “We Will Survive” has a poignant and inspiring video that features friends, family and those TWB admire who are cancer survivors, currently fighting cancer and those who have succumbed in their fight.


TWB are five biological brothers (Tony, Luther, Jamie, Carl and Rodney) from Georgia who have recently garnered success with their Top 20 Billboard Gospel Radio Chart hit “Right Now Lord” from their God’s Been There CD.  The brothers have also had key appearances on national TV shows–BET’s Bobby Jones Gospel, The Word Network and TCT TV Network.  TWB will be featured as musical performers at the Bill Pickett Rodeo in Atlanta, GA, on  August 3-4 and have a special performance appearance in the forthcoming film Angel’s Wings, featuring noted actor Reginald VelJohnson (Family Matters TV show) and actress Robin Givens.

Founded in January of 2012, The Nick Eason Foundation has a mission to assist families with loved ones fighting cancer.  The foundation helps families financially as well as spiritually and emotionally to try and relieve some of the immense pressure that comes with managing such a critical family time. 

The inspiration for The Nick Eason Foundation comes from Nick’s own experience losing his mother to breast cancer in 2012.  He also lost his uncle to cancer, and has lost other friends to the illness over the past few years.  Through his experiences, he realized that many families cannot manage the struggle alone, whether from the financial or emotional stresses the consistently arise. 

Nick Eason is a native of Lyons, GA and played football for Clemson University before going on to play in the NFL for the Denver Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Arizona Cardinals.

The Pretty in Pank Foundation was begun in Georgia in 2007 by three friends–Ann Owens, Jill Murphy, and Pete Frost–whose families had each been greatly affected by breast cancer. Although Jill’s mother had lost her battle, Ann’s niece and Pete’s mother had recently been diagnosed.

And so it began, three friends enlisted local talent and other volunteers to plan a variety show FUNdraiser to “raise a little money” for the ladies affected in their small town. Ann, the owner of the local theater, afforded the use of the perfect venue. The first Pretty in Pank variety show was held, selling out and making $3,000, and thus launching future events to support the foundation’s goal: to bring help, hope, and humor to those battling breast cancer.


"The Medley" [Audio] – Connection!

“The Medley”
Connection! (2013)
Redeemed Records
Available on Amazon

Connection artwork
The group of young men from Houston known as Connection! makes good use of a medley to showcase clean vocals, slick production, and the ability to drop some good music on both contemporary and traditional gospel quartet fans.
 
Simply called “The Medley,” Connection! starts with ‘”Heaven is My Goal” followed by “Running (99 1/2 Won’t Do),” both of moderate tempo and R&B/soul feel, before diving into the hand-clapper “Hold On.”
 
Since the group’s formation in 2000, Connection! has gotten much attention, including racking up a pair of Rhythm of Gospel Award nominations.

"He Rescued Me" – Tim Woodson and the Heirs of Harmony

“He Rescued Me”
Tim Woodson and the Heirs of Harmony
From the upcoming CD, Live in Newport News – Millionaire (2013)
Peacock Music Group
 
Tim Woodson and the Heirs of Harmony Millionaire cover art
Tim Woodson and the Heirs of Harmony take it back to the old school with their new toe-tapper, “He Rescued Me,” from the forthcoming CD, Live in Newport News – Millionaire. Woodson is a former member of The Mighty Clouds of Joy.
 
The Grand Rapids group’s presentation brings to mind a few of their likely quartet influences. Woodson’s styling during the opening lines, for instance, hints at The Sensational Nightingales’ Horace “Sug” Thompson while the rafter-rattling background falsetto harmonies channel the Fantastic Violinaires. When you add in the rallies for audience participation, “He Rescued Me” is like trotting down memory lane with Tim Woodson and the Heirs of Harmony on a pleasant Sunday afternoon.

"The Blood" – Divas Redemption f. Paul Smith

“The Blood”
Divas Redemption featuring Paul Smith
From the CD, I Finally Made It (2010)
Jay St. Records

Divas Redemption

Alternating staccato lines and the promise of victory in Jesus Christ are the highlights of Divas Redemption featuring Paul Smith’s performance of the Benny Hill-penned ballad “The Blood” from their CD, I Finally Made It.

Smith and the Divas (an acronym for Divinely Inspired Victoriously Appointed) melodically narrate the revelation of Jesus Christ to John of Patmos in such a way that one envisions the glorious scene of the first resurrection unfolding right before one’s eyes: “How John said he looked…and he saw a number that no man could number…”

Hailing from New Jersey, Divas Redemption featuring Paul Smith (of the Brower Brothers) continue on to testify that the Blood of Jesus “will set you free!”