Tag: Reviews

"Lord, You're the Landlord" – Mississippi Mass Choir

“Lord, You’re the Landlord”
Mississippi Mass Choir
From the CD, Then Sings My Soul (2011)
www.mississippimass.com

It takes an aggregation like Malaco’s tenured Mississippi Mass Choir to pull off lines like, “Lord, You’re the landlord, and there’s a leak in Your building. Fix it, fix it like You said You would.”  Voiced by some other choirs, such words might come off as demanding; to the new school, maybe even a little corny.  Not so with Miss Mass.

Original member and principal vocalist Lillian Lilly capably leads this Frederick Knight composition (previously recorded by labelmate Eddie Ruth Bradford) with the faith-filled fervor that the informal and simplistic lyrics call for, while the multi-award winning choir concurs: “I can’t fix it….You’re my landlord….Fix it like You said You would.”

The metaphor may not necessarily strike a chord with younger listeners, but “Lord, You’re the Landlord” is definitely your grandmother’s kind of hand-clapper.

"All Go Back" – Tammy Edwards and the Edwards Sisters

“All Go Back”
Tammy Edwards and the Edwards Sisters
From the CD, On the Right Road Now (2012)
www.malaco.com

Tammy Edwards and the Edwards Sisters

Traditional quartet at its core is what Tammy Edwards and the Edwards Sisters bring to “All Go Back,” from their current CD, On the Right Road Now.

The number is a spin on the traditional “Old Landmark” that turns a sharp corner in the vamp with Edwards and the sisters rockin’ out on the line, “Take it back!”

“You can do it….It’s yours for the asking!” Edwards declares.

The Greenville, NC group blazes this track from start to finish with a drive that won’t quit, even after the music stops near the four-minute mark.

Tammy Edwards and the Edwards Sisters have carried their message up and down the east coast and different parts of the country for more than 30 years.

A Celebration Fit for a Queen!

Bishop Harold I. Williams presents his wife, Pastor Shirley Caesar, 
as the newly crowned “Queen of Gospel.”
 

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

“Mahalia Jackson is gone, but we have Shirley Caesar!” shouted longtime Caesar Singer, Bernard Sterling to a capacity crowd at Mount Calvary Word of Faith Church.  “We’re gonna love her while she’s here!”

A jubilant ovation erupts.  It was one of many during the five hour salute.

Every pew was packed and folding chairs were filled inside the 1500 seat sanctuary Sunday night as its pastor, Shirley Caesar, was crowned “Queen of Gospel.” 

The symbolic crown–previously worn by greats Mahalia Jackson and Albertina Walker–was passed to Walker’s protégé Caesar, whose accolades include 11 Grammy, 13 Stellar, and 18 Dove Awards; McDonald’s Golden Circle and SESAC Lifetime Achievement Awards; and induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

Throughout the celebratory musical, no less than 14 performers paid tribute with several of Her Majesty’s hits like “Jesus, I Love Calling Your Name,” “Heaven,” and the perennial favorite, “No Charge.”  Pastor Caesar smiled, clapped, swayed, and occasionally stood in awe.

Even the youngest generation of gospel singers was well represented in the persons of twelve year-old Michael Boone, nine year-old Rev. Leniyus Sullivan, and eight year-old Symone “Baby Shirley” Spencer.

Also in the house as a surprise guest was Douglas Miller, whose classic “My Soul Has Been Anchored” ripened the atmosphere for a praise break.

In the styling of the British monarchy, Sunday’s coronation followed similar protocols such as Pastor Caesar being anointed with oil (left) by Bishop Harold I. Williams, Patriarch of the Mount Calvary Holy Church of America, Inc.  Dressed in an exquisite floor-length gown with dainty gold accents, the ageless beauty then rose to receive the charge from Evangelist Carolyn Sanders.  Following the charge and presentation of the Holy Bible, master of ceremony Jerry Smith of Radio One crowned Pastor Caesar, as the title “Queen of Gospel” was bestowed.  To a thunderous standing ovation, she was given a bouquet of flowers and presented with more gifts, including a trophy.

As the long evening drew to a close, Queen Shirley took to the lectern, graced the congregation with “Strong Man”–sprinkling a sermonette over its chorus–and expressed heartfelt gratitude along with a sobering exhortation.

“I charge you tonight,” she urged, “as many as who stand on my shoulders…walk holy…live holy….Live what you sing.  Live what you preach and teach.”

_________________________________
 
From left to right: twelve year-old Michael Boone sings “No Charge,” eight year-old Symone Spencer performs “Jesus, I Love Calling Your Name,” and nine year-old Rev. Leniyus Sullivan delivers the Caravans’ “Lord Keep Me Day By Day.”
 
Grammy-winning producer Sanchez Harley recalls how Pastor Caesar orchestrated an opportunity for him to produce on her 1983 gospel album Sailin’, which garnered a Grammy.  After citing Caesar as his favorite singer, he adds, “That [crown] is not an imaginary token crown. She is the Queen–the real deal.”
 
 

Jerry Smith, of Radio One’s The Light 103.9FM, prepares to crown Pastor Caesar as Bishop Williams and Bernard Sterling look on.

 
 
The newly crowned “Queen of Gospel” receives more gifts including a framed commemorative announcement of the ceremony and a trophy presented by Dr. Mildred Summerville (second from left), on behalf of The Diamond Club.
 
 
 
 
Related Stories 

The Best of Elder Goldwire McLendon – Elder Goldwire McLendon

Elder Goldwire McLendon
The Best of Elder Goldwire McLendon
Music World Gospel (2012)
www.musicworldent.com/artists/eldergoldwire

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Many viewers of BET’s Sunday Best 3 were captivated by Elder Goldwire McLendon from the moment he mesmerized judges Donnie McClurkin, Kim Burrell, and Tina Campbell at his audition with the Gaither hymn “He Touched Me.”  He went on to delight audiences every week with his velvet vocals and “soft-shoe shuffle” when the Spirit moved him.  Ultimately, the elder and former pastor became the runner-up to Le’Andria Johnson in the finale.  The fans he picked up along the way have anxiously awaited the release of his new project–The Best of Elder Goldwire McLendon–which features seven new recordings of the songs he wowed audiences with throughout the music contest.

At 81 years old, Elder McLendon may be new to the broader gospel community, but he is a legend in Philadelphia, where he was a member of Savoy recording group The Savettes, and where he was honored at Philadelphia’s First Annual Living Legend Music Awards (alongside Chubby Checker, Dee Dee Sharp, and Billy Paul).

Certainly, Elder McLendon has the skill and anointing to invoke the Holy Spirit’s presence.  It was a younger Goldwire McLendon who sang at the 1970 funeral of Ruth Davis, lead singer of the Golden Era gospel group, The Davis Sisters.  According to Anthony Heilbut’s book, The Gospel Sound, when he sang “Just to Behold His Face,” gospel icon Clara Ward “fell out, hollering long, loud, eminently musical shrieks.”

If there’s a number on The Best of Elder Goldwire McLendon that could create a similar effect, I imagine it would be “The Battle Is the Lord’s,” especially if it were to be experienced live.  “Jesus Be A Fence Around Me” may not make you fall out, but hand-clapping, toe-tapping, and head-bobbing are probable.  It’s in the vamp especially, that Elder McLendon rhythmically riffs over a funky organ driven musical backdrop, inserting phrases like “can’t no devil penetrate that fence” and “don’t leave no gap in between Lord.”

Not surprisingly, McLendon is very much at home with hymns, as is obvious by his equal parts simple and stirring rendition of “How Great Thou Art,” over lone piano accompaniment, and by his polished tenor on the traditional “I Know It Was the Blood.”  On the latter, he swings occasionally into a deliciously sweet falsetto before taking you to church in the vamp.  He does similarly on his cover of Edwin Hawkins’ “O Happy Day.”  Also for your listening and swaying pleasure are his covers of Alvin Darling’s “He’s All Over Me” and “I’ll Take You There,” popularized by the Staples Singers.  

With clean production by Stanley Brown and the tunes that kept the elder at the top week after week, my only disappointment is that this isn’t a live project with a companion DVD.

Favorites
“How Great Thou Art” – “I Know It Was the Blood” – “O Happy Day”

Fever Meter
SMOKIN’ (4 of 5 Stars)

“El’gebra” – Bryan Wilson

“El’gebra”
Bryan Wilson
From the digital-only EP, Bryan’s Back (2012)
www.bryanwilson.com

Bryan Wilson became an immediate pre-teen gospel sensation after his performance of “His Eye is on the Sparrow” with the Mississippi Children’s Choir in 1994.  After 18 years and several projects, accomplishments, and a university degree, Wilson is back with a digital-only extended play (EP) release aptly titled, Bryan’s Back.  The six-song project features the contemporary christian tune “El’gebra.”

Citing that “El” means God in Hebrew and “Algebra” is derived from an Arabic word meaning restoration, Wilson presents “El’gebra” as his term for restoration with God.  In the mid-tempo guitar driven song, Wilson creatively uses math concepts to express his love for Jesus.

“I didn’t add up…You made me equal when Your love subtracted all my evil….And then You multiplied Your favor….Now it’s You and I forever,” he sings.  Wilson’s full length CD is scheduled for release later this year. 

Besides singing, Wilson is also a minister.  On April 28, he will be elevated to the office of Apostle of the Bapolstogic Movement, Inc., a non-profit organization that he founded.

“The goal is to win souls with love, signs and passion,” says Wilson. “It’s a movement to make ride or die witnesses for Jesus Christ. It’s an infusion of doctrines I learned from the Baptist, COGIC, Apostolic and Deliverance denominations. I also studied Jewish history at Princeton Theological Seminary as a master’s of divinity student and have re-inserted that into the Christianity we practice. After all, Christianity is a Jewish religion but we’ve gotten away from that and I want to bring that culture back.”

"Free" – Tim Bowman, Jr.

“Free”
Tim Bowman, Jr.
From the upcoming CD, Beautiful (Available April 24, 2012)
www.timbowmanjr.com

Tim Bowman, Jr. scatted his way to notoriety on his aunt Vickie Winans’ radio hit, “How I Got Over.”  Now the 22 year-old Wayne State University pharmacy student–whose father is the renowned jazz guitarist Tim Bowman, Sr.–is stepping again to the forefront of the music scene with “Free,” the current single from his own soon-to-be-released CD, Beautiful.

“Free is a song that is very dear to me because it is a song that I can relate to myself,” says Bowman, who penned the inspirational song with producer/composer Josh Davis.  “As a young person in a traditional church setting where things are sometimes so cookie cutter or strict, it kinda makes it a little challenging for young people my age to express themselves as it relates to their way of worshipping God.  So this song just simply declares that I’m free to worship, free to shout, free to dance without any restraints or reservations. I want all of my music to cause people to feel again and to be liberated to worship God. So I encourage everyone to declare and walk in your freedom.”

Beautiful drops April 24, and features guest appearances by Vickie Winans and Dorinda Clark Cole.  Marvin Winans, Sr. sits in the producer’s chair for a medley on the 13-track set.

"It Could've Been My Son" – John P. Kee

“It Could’ve Been My Son”
John P. Kee
www.johnpkeeonline.com

Last month when I expressed my outrage about the Trayvon Martin case (see related story), I reported the gospel community’s response and voiced my hope for the momentum to continue.

Pastor John P. Kee has set to music the sentiment of millions of parents all over the country with his brand new single, “It Could’ve Been My Son.”

Once a street thug and drug dealer, the father of nine witnessed firsthand the senseless violence that occurred in his neighborhood, including the untimely death of a close friend.  Since his spiritual transformation, the award-winning singer and Charlotte pastor has pursued an aggressive street ministry, especially to inner city communities.  For the past five years, Kee has hosted a gun exchange program–allowing people to trade in their guns for gift cards.  The guns are then given to the police to be destroyed.

“It Could’ve Been My Son” is available on iTunes.

Related Story
Members of the gospel community support justice for Trayvon Martin

"Glory" – Mario Brown

“Glory”
Mario Brown
From the upcoming CD, The Mario Brown Project (Available Spring 2012)
www.bronxbridgeent.com 
 
The worship ballad “Glory” is the current single from newcomer Mario Brown’s forthcoming album, The Mario Brown Project.  The singer, songwriter, and musician is signed with Bronx Bridge Entertainment, Inc. and F. Hammond Music.
 
With the tenderness of a warm embrace, Brown sings to the Lord, “I’m living all for Your glory; I found my purpose in You.  That’s why I’m singing, telling everyone my story…”  His emotion is intensified by the beautifully arpeggiated piano chords, lush strings, and occasional interjection of an electric guitar’s distortion.  
 
Brown is a praise and worship leader and the Minister of Music over Christian Faith Fellowship Church Choir in Milwaukee, WI.

Speak Myself Free – Robert Jamison and Victory

Robert Jamison and Victory
Speak Myself Free
RJM Publishing (2011)
www.robertjamisonandvictory.com

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Robert Jamison and Victory are on a mission to spread the hope and joy of salvation to all who will receive their message.  The Kentucky native and his gospel ensemble are off to a fairly good start with their four-song introductory project, Speak Myself Free.

Described by Jamison as “good ol gospel music,” the CD opens and closes with two uptempo tracks (“Warfair” and “Can’t Find A Friend”).  The slow ones (“Speak Myself Free” and “I Cannot Make It”) are sandwiched in the middle.  All were written, produced, and arranged by Kyri Demby.

“I Cannot Make It” is the best of the foursome.  Tonya Thomas’s soprano really soars just as the song passes the five-minute mark.  Jamison takes the lead on the last number, “Can’t Find A Friend.”

Constructively speaking, the CD doesn’t quite hit the mark musically.  There are pitch problems in a few spots with both the lead and choir vocals, which a bit more rehearsal time and fine-tuning could remedy.  Were I watching the ensemble perform live, perhaps I wouldn’t notice the lengthy intros to “Warfair” and “I Cannot Make It” (forty seconds and one full minute, respectively), plus the latter features nice guitar work by Mark “Lupe” Hamilton.

Robert Jamison and Victory are on the right track with their mission and their zeal, and they’ve already taken hold of opportunities to share their music with radio markets in Chicago and Dallas.  I’m looking forward to the choir’s growth as they persist in developing their gifts and talents.

Favorite
“I Cannot Make It”

Fever Meter
WARM (2 of 5 Stars)

“Thank You” – Roy and Revelation

“Thank You”
Roy and Revelation
From the CD, Thank You (2012)
www.royandrevelation.com   

Stanley Roy Ladson, Jr. isn’t 30 years old yet, but listening to his group’s tune, “Thank You,” will make you think you just popped a quarter in a late 1950’s Jukebox.

The rock and roll/R&B drenched number is the gospel drive that’s getting Roy and Revelation’s debut recording lots of attention.  The rising South Carolina group recently signed with 4Winds/Malaco and is excited to present its brand of music to the next generation of quartet lovers.