Tag: Reviews

“Take Your Knee Off My Neck” – Shirley Caesar

“Take Your Knee Off My Neck”
Shirley Caesar (September 11, 2020)
Shu-Bel Records/Red Alliance Media
http://smarturl.it/shirleycaesar

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

“Take Your Knee Off My Neck” is one of the most direct and impassioned calls to action for social and racial justice that Pastor Shirley Caesar has issued in song. That speaks volumes for a gospel legend whose nearly seven decades of recording stretch across many of our nation’s darkest days of bigotry, segregation, and injustice.

In the riveting single co-written with Michael Mathis, Pastor Caesar speaks frankly about George Floyd’s May 2020 “lynching in broad daylight,” during which Minneapolis police officers held him in place with a knee to his neck until he lost consciousness. Floyd’s death was followed by days of demonstrations around the country. The track opens with crowd chants of “I can’t breathe!” – the last words of too many who have died in officer-involved encounters. Caesar minces no words addressing this and related acts of police brutality.

“Take your knee off my neck!”

“Enough is enough!”

“Stop killing our sons and daughters!”

“Leave us alone!”

She speaks the names of several other victims as well: Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Oscar Grant, Tamir Rice, Breonna Taylor, Sandra Bland. The roll call of Black lives taken senselessly never ceases to stir deep emotions for me, and this context is no different. “You’re gonna reap what you’ve sowed,” Caesar warns the evildoers.

The straightforward message of “Take Your Knee Off My Neck” is driven by the song’s pulsating rhythm section. It’s an auditory evocation of trifold symbolism. Caesar’s finger is on the pulse of the times, singing pointedly about defenseless hearts that have stopped beating at the hands of their cold-hearted murderers.

Despite the circumstances that make “Take Your Knee Off My Neck” a necessary and urgent call to action, Caesar doesn’t confront the oppressors without lifting up the oppressed. “Beautiful Black people,” she sings, “hold your head up high. Don’t be ashamed of who you are. Black lives matter!”

“God Is Love” – Steve Dalton & The Leviticus Singers of Charlotte

“God Is Love”
Steve Dalton & The Leviticus Singers of Charlotte (LSOC) (2020)
www.facebook.com/LSOC2014

Steve Dalton & LSOC God is Love cover artBy Janie Sheeley-Torain
GMF Special Contributor

Steve Dalton & The Leviticus Singers’ riveting vocals and soul-rousing lyrics minister to the brokenhearted and the downtrodden through their latest single, “God Is Love.” It is a powerful but simple message, packaged with an upbeat tempo, which serves as a vivid reminder of the all-embracing reach of the love of God.  Dalton’s finely calibrated declarations mixed with LSOC’s stylistic background vocals that are centered around God’s love will uplift your spirit and stir up your soul.  The ensemble’s vocal vitality and beats are contagious, and as you listen you will be transformed from tapping your toes, praising and worshiping, to eventually pointing to yourself in the mirror and singing, “He’ll never stop loving you!”

“God Is Love” is the first single from Steve Dalton & LSOC’s upcoming EP, The Introduction.

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Janie Sheeley-Torain, Ed.D, is a gospel music enthusiast, author, National Board Certified Teacher, and life-long educator. She is an advocate of invigorating gospel music that inspires, elevates, and encourages the listener. She has published and is currently working on manuscripts that embolden the musicians of gospel music.

“Look to the Hills” – Rev. Luther Barnes & The Restoration Worship Center Choir

“Look to the Hills”
Rev. Luther Barnes & The Restoration Worship Center Choir
From the forthcoming CD, Look to the Hills (available May 29, 2020)
www.shanachie.com 
  
By Janie Sheeley-Torain
GMF Special Contributor 

In “Look to the Hills,” Reverend Luther Barnes and The Restoration Worship Center Choir harmoniously encourage us with a testimony of the unstoppable miracles that only God can perform. Allow this song to reach deep down into your spirit with the reassuring message that whatever you’re facing is gonna get better for you if you just “look to the hills and be blessed!”

Barnes adheres to his signature smooth delivery and relatable lyrics, which he co-wrote with the late Derrick Adams, and both will entice you to sing along and encourage yourself.  “Look to the Hills” is an amazing song – powerful and much needed during this national crisis. 


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Janie Sheeley-Torain, Ed.D, is a gospel music enthusiast, author, National Board Certified Teacher, and life-long educator. She is an advocate of invigorating gospel music that inspires, elevates, and encourages the listener. She has published and is currently working on manuscripts that embolden the musicians of gospel music.

"Foot of the Cross" – Loni Crawford

“Foot of the Cross”
Loni Crawford (2020)
 

By Janie Sheeley-Torain
GMF Special Contributor

Get ready for a fresh soothing sound with a sprinkling of traditional gospel with Loni Crawford’s “Foot of the Cross.”  As Loni ushers in God’s spirit, you can see yourself in the comforting presence of the Holy Ghost.

On the Cross, Jesus effectively paid the price for our redemption from sin and death. He is the powerful victor and has been exalted to the heavenly realms. So, close your eyes and see yourself after an exhausting, challenging day of work or dealing with difficult people – whether it be coworkers, children, or family members – putting on your headset and relaxing in your favorite chair.  Then, picture yourself letting the relaxing instrumentals and the tranquil vocals envelop you in the arms of safety, peace, and joy.  As you do so, you’ll notice Loni’s sprinkling of the traditional coming to the fore with the hymn “At the Cross,” a thematic reiteration that it’s where she longs to be.

Loni has served as a worship leader at various churches and has shared the gospel in America and abroad.  The Detroit born and reared singer currently resides in Birmingham, AL.

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Janie Sheeley-Torain, Ed.D, is a gospel music enthusiast, author, National Board Certified Teacher, and life-long educator. She is an advocate of invigorating gospel music that inspires, elevates, and encourages the listener. She has published and is currently working on manuscripts that embolden the musicians of gospel music.

“Love Is A God Word” – Samuel Obie

“Love Is A God Word”
Samuel Obie
From the CD, Cat-A-Fly (2019)
Available on all digital outlets 

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Samuel Obie foregoes excessive vocals and layers of synthesized sound to deliver the current single from his Cat-A-Fly CD, “Love Is A God Word.”

Obie is a songwriter.  His songs have been recorded by three of the biggest names in gospel music: Shirley Caesar, Edwin Hawkins, and John P. Kee.  Notwithstanding, in this particular composition, the only lyric you’ll hear shows up in the refrain and is the song’s title.  Perhaps this is because Obie is also a seasoned musician.  On this inspirational jazz piece, he chooses to put his organ chops front and center.  It’s a tasteful choice with nimble, expressive fingerwork that interprets love’s divinity in both melody and timbre while the supporting instruments know their place and contently ride the groove.

Obie is a native of Hillsborough, NC who presently resides in the Charlotte metro area.

“I’ll Never Stop Praising the Lord” – Northern Delaware Chapter GMWA Recording Choir

“I’ll Never Stop Praising the Lord”
Northern Delaware Chapter GMWA Recording Choir
From the album, God Be Glorified (2019)
Enon Music Group

By Janie Sheeley-Torain
GMF Special Contributor

The vibrant voices of the Northern Delaware Chapter GMWA Recording Choir declare, “I’ll Never Stop Praising the Lord.”  The uptempo O’Landa Draper-esque track is featured on the aggregation’s project, God Be Glorified.

Let the spirited declaration inspire you to do the same: never stop praising the Lord.  You know you may have missed a few church services and choir anniversaries, but let this choir – led by Minister Wayne Carter, Sr. – take you to church.  And definitely let the lively band energize you to pick ’em up and put ’em down.  The joy of the Lord is your strength! 

Get ready!  Get ready!  Get ready!  Praise God like the COVID-19 shelter-in-place order is over! 

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Janie Sheeley-Torain, Ed.D, is a gospel music enthusiast, author, National Board Certified Teacher, and life-long educator. She is an advocate of invigorating gospel music that inspires, elevates, and encourages the listener. She has published and is currently working on manuscripts that embolden the musicians of gospel music.

 

Clark Sisters movie soundtrack highlights talent of cast, genius of Donald Lawrence

 
Various Artists
The First Ladies of Gospel: The Clark Sisters Biopic
Soundtrack (2020)
Releve Entertainment
Available on Amazon
 
By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever
 
Clark Sisters fans’ prayers were answered when The First Ladies of Gospel: The Clark Sisters Biopic Soundtrack dropped Friday, just a day ahead of Lifetime’s movie premiere of The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel.  According to Donald Lawrence, producer extraordinaire and the movie’s music director, the decision to release the accompanying soundtrack was made only the week prior.
 
On film, Angela Birchett, Raven Goodwin, Christina Bell, Sheléa Frazier, and Kierra Sheard captivate viewers with their portrayals of Jacky, Denise, Twinkie, Dorinda, and Karen, respectively.  On the soundtrack, they amaze with their abilities to recreate the nuances of the sisters’ phrasing, tone, riffs, trills, growls, close harmonies, and the “one voice” (unison singing) that matriarch Dr. Mattie Moss Clark (magnificently portrayed in the movie by Aunjanue Ellis) helped her girls to perfect.  “I Can Do All Things Thru Christ That Strengthens Me,” “Name It Claim It,” and “Nothing to Lose” showcase the real-life vocal talent of the cast, thanks to Lawrence who made sure no element of “The Clark Sound” was overlooked.  Individually, the ladies’ lead vocals are impeccable, resulting in “Name It Claim It” and “What He’s Done for Me” sounding uncannily like the vintage recordings and “You Brought the Sunshine” sounding as if Twinkie herself stepped behind the mic to remake the group’s massive hit.
 
A fan and student of The Clark Sisters, Lawrence was meticulous about recreating “The Clark Sound” since the movie’s actors would be doing their own singing.  His thoughtful approach even included recapturing the distinctive character of Twinkie’s organ style and sound, which was a dominant musical component of The Clark Sisters’ recordings, especially throughout the 70s and 80s.  Lawrence was particularly intent on recreating the organ’s robust, big room feel for “What He’s Done for Me.” To do this, he and organist Andre Morris tracked the organ at a large church in Memphis with three Leslie speakers.
 
The First Ladies of Gospel: The Clark Sisters Biopic Soundtrack features thirteen tracks, six of which are spoken-word segments from the movie.  The final spoken-word track is Sheléa Frazier’s spot-on reenactment of Dorinda Clark Cole’s memorable sermonette from the 1982 motion picture Gospel.  
 
In all honesty, the entire project feels like a tease, running at just 27 minutes.  Nevertheless, both emerging and longstanding Clark Sisters fans will appreciate that The First Ladies of Gospel: The Clark Sisters Biopic Soundtrack is a superb salute to the highest-selling female gospel group in history whose story debuted as the highest-rated original movie of the year on all of television.
 
Favorites
“What He’s Done for Me” – “You Brought the Sunshine”
 
Fever Meter
SWELTERIN’ (5 of 5 Stars)
 

“I Can’t Make It Without You” – Beloved St. John Evangelistic Church

“I Can’t Make It Without You”
Beloved St. John Evangelistic Church
From the album, The Praise Worship Experience (2019)
belovedstjohn.org

By Janie Sheeley-Torain
GMF Special Contributor

“I Can’t Make It Without You” is the single from Beloved St. John Evangelistic Church Music and Arts Ministry’s full-length project, The Praise Worship Experience.  The upbeat praise track is fueled by a punchy bassline that showcases the bass player’s chops and manages to stay out of the way of the singers and other musicians.  Meanwhile, the vertical lyrics, penned by Scot Stevens and driven by enthusiastic vocals of Beloved St. John Evangelistic Church, underscore our dependence on God and remind us perhaps now more than ever in our nation’s dark and divided days that we can rely on Christ to bring us through any situation. 


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Janie Sheeley-Torain, Ed.D, is a gospel music enthusiast, author, National Board Certified Teacher, and life-long educator. She is an advocate of invigorating gospel music that inspires, elevates, and encourages the listener. She has published and is currently working on manuscripts that embolden the musicians of gospel music.

“Unpredictable God” – Zak Williams & 1/AKORD

“Unpredictable God”
Zak Williams & 1/AKORD ft. David Wilford and Thomas Clay
From the album, The Next Chapter (2019)
www.zakwillmuzik.com

By Janie Sheeley-Torain
GMF Special Contributor

With upbeat contemporary instrumentals, Zak Williams and 1/AKORD are united together to uplift the word of God through “Unpredictable God.”  This is one melody that will get you into the praise and worship mood.  Founder and front-man Zak Williams has created and cultivated a spirited vocal choir with original and unhindered delivery of the lyrics that resound, “You’re the awesome One / A sovereign God / A holy King of Kings / Unpredictable God!”

You will tap your toes, lift your hands, and sing along while the expressive lead guitar interlude ushers you to unpredictable lyrics: “Oh! Oh! Oh! You are!  Come let us adore Him!”  It turns out to be a surprising yet pleasant aural demonstration of how unpredictable God is.  Keep on tapping your toes and worshiping Him.


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Janie Sheeley-Torain, Ed.D, is a gospel music enthusiast, author, National Board Certified Teacher, and life-long educator. She is an advocate of invigorating gospel music that inspires, elevates, and encourages the listener. She has published and is currently working on manuscripts that embolden the musicians of gospel music.

"Isaiah Song" – Yemi Ayeni

“Isaiah Song”
Yemi Ayeni (2019)
WTL Records
www.yemiayeni.com

Yemi Ayeni cover art for "Isaiah Song"By Janie Sheeley-Torain
GMF Special Contributor

The sultry voice of Yemi Ayeni in “Isaiah Song” evokes profuse peace and calm as you marvel the holiness of the Lord of Hosts.  It is a mode of worship–inspired by Isaiah 6:1-3–that has the capacity to release you from the anxiety and stress of any current situation, redirecting you to join in with Yemi in seeing the Lord “high and lifted up.”

By the time “Isaiah Song” ascends to its climax, you are likely engulfed with praise and chanting with the background chorus of celestial voices, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts / The whole earth is filled with His glory!”

Yemi is a UK-based singer-songwriter and youth and music minister, and “Isaiah Song” is from her forthcoming worship EP.


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Janie Sheeley-Torain, Ed.D, is a gospel music enthusiast, author, National Board Certified Teacher, and life-long educator. She is an advocate of invigorating gospel music that inspires, elevates, and encourages the listener. She has published and is currently working on manuscripts that embolden the musicians of gospel music.