Give Me That Old-Time Religion?

2009-12-16T22:37:00.005-06:00

One Christmas during my childhood, my family received a small electric chord organ and several songbooks. The organ allowed budding musicians to make music using a simple system of numbers and letters. Notes corresponded with numbers that were played with the right hand, while a series of buttons, played with the left hand, produced chords.

RePosting: Sweet Little Jesus Boy: A Spiritual For Christmas

2009-12-16T22:20:00.006-06:00

For me, it's just not Christmas until I've listened over and over to the song "Sweet Little Jesus Boy." It's a spiritual credited to the writer Robert MacGimsey. Some of the lyrics:Sweet little Jesus Boy,they made you be born in a manger.Sweet little Holy Child,didn't know who You was.Didn't know you come to save us, Lord;to take our sins away.Our eyes was blind, we couldn't see,we didn't know

15 Songs for the Uninitiated

2009-03-25T00:19:00.005-05:00

Oh, hello, Blogosphere,Posting has been light for a while, but I'm still here. I'm still writing about gospel, but lately it's been in a more scholarly tone (I just finished a paper on Praise & Worship). Still, I hope to resume light posting soon. I'm thinking through what that might look like.Today, I faced the challenge of choosing 15 songs for a friend who is totally unfamiliar with gospel

Quick, to the TV! A Take 6 Sighting!

2008-08-28T19:35:00.003-05:00

Here's a photo of Take 6 doing a soundcheck for tonight's performance with Stevie Wonder at the Democratic National Convention.

Two Diverse Articles on Classical Music and Jazz

2008-08-20T22:59:00.007-05:00

Lately, I've been enjoying a lot of classical and jazz music. Right now my favorite classical piece is William Banfield's "Essay for Orchestra." Snag yourself a copy of African Heritage Symphony, Vol. 3, and see if Banfield's composition doesn't make you feel like you can fly. Works of The Chicago Sinfonietta and Imani Winds are also among my current classical favorites, and a couple of months

Mary Williams: Preserving Traditional Gospel

2008-07-27T22:50:00.004-05:00

Last week, on my way to the UNITY Journalists of Color conference, I heard a snippet of this story on Mary Williams, who works to preserve traditional black gospel music not only through her performances, but also through a class she teaches at Duke University. Click this link to hear the whole thing.Image Credit: thestory.org

Meme, Myself and I

2008-07-27T22:03:00.006-05:00

Caryn of Mama's Got a Fake I.D. tagged me with a meme. Here are the rules of the meme:Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog.Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog. OK. Here goes:1. I really love

Gospel Parody: Never Would Have Paid It

2008-07-27T21:47:00.002-05:00

I know, I know. It's been a minute since I posted, but I haven't forgotten my loyal gospelgal readership. Would you believe I've been working hard, making money to put directly into the gas tank? Here's a hilarious parody of Marvin Sapp's chart-topping "Never Would Have Made It," courtesy of J. Anthony Brown. Follow the link, and enjoy.Got more gospel-themed fun? Let me know at latonya at

April 4, 1968

2008-04-05T22:28:00.006-05:00

Things I'm listening to and reading to observe the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.:Gospel Memories: As always, gospel music historian and friend-of-this-blog Bob Marovich is on the case. Tomorrow morning's radio broadcast, from 3 a.m. to 7 a.m. CST, includes a tribute to Dr. King. Listen on Chicago's WLUW (88.7 FM), or on wluw.org.Bob writes, "Dr. King was the

Faith, Hope and Jazz

2008-03-09T15:57:00.003-05:00

A few months ago, I had the honor of sharing some thoughts in a chapel service at my alma mater. You can listen here.In this talk, I share how I use metaphors related to jazz to help me understand my life as a follower of Christ. I'm interested in hearing what metaphors/imagery help you understand your faith. Feel free to comment below.Update: If the first link doesn't work, you can also hear my

Let Us Turn Our Thoughts Today to Martin Luther King

2008-01-20T21:31:00.000-06:00

The title of this post comes from James Taylor's "Shed a Little Light," which you can listen to here for free. Some lyrics:"Let us turn our thoughts today/ To Martin Luther King/ And recognize that there are ties between us/ All men and women/ Living on the earth/ Ties of hope and love/ Sister and brotherhood/ That we are bound together/ In our desire to see the world become/ A place in which our

The Twelve Classic Gospel Songs of Christmas

2007-12-16T20:10:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas, everyone! Here's a guest post from friend-of-the-blog Bob Marovich, a gospel music historian.Looking for an alternative from the standard Yule music fare? Try these twelve classic gospel songs on for size. Use your favorite search engine to find reissue CDs, or maybe even the original vinyl, on which these songs can be found. Happy Holidays, everyone!“Glory, Glory to the New Born

New Route Home

2007-10-20T12:38:00.000-05:00

New Route HomeMorris Robinson fuses old and new.(5/5 stars)by LaTonya Taylor After several casual performances at friends' weddings, Morris Robinson slowly became convinced that God intended his bright, sonorous basso profundo for more. He pursued a career in opera, and, within remarkably few years, garnered comparisons to Paul Robeson and engagements with the New York Metropolitan Opera and the

Summertime, and the Living Is. . .

2007-08-18T09:36:00.000-05:00

. . .Busy.Welcome to the new readers who are stopping by. It's been a busy summer, and so posting (and work on gospelgal.com) has slowed.It'll probably be a few weeks before I'm posting regularly again. In the meantime, feel free to poke around on the blog, to read some of the reviews and interviews posted on gospelgal.com, or to subscribe (see the left side of the page).I'll be back on the good

Gospel Gal Sort of Answers Your Questions

2007-06-28T13:20:00.000-05:00

According to my site statistics, a lot of GospelGal.com readers come here as a result of very specific queries, or looking for answers to specific questions (And here I thought it was all about the incisive commentary and self-deprecating humor!).Over the last few weeks, I've received some interesting questions through my contact page. And since I don't know the answers to these, I'll share them

Good Advice for Musicians . . .and Writers

2007-06-25T19:20:00.000-05:00

" . . .You gotta really know yourself. Find out what season you're in. If you're in a season of learning, focus on that 'til God changes it. Find out what season you're in, find out your strengths, find out your weaknesses, and strengthen those weaknesses. That's what you need to do before you step out anywhere. And make sure your skills are tight . . .If you don't have the music to back it up,

In the Meantime, Right On

2007-06-21T12:08:00.000-05:00

A couple of summers ago, I spent lots of time working on a review of Michael Eric Dyson's Mercy, Mercy Me: The Art, Love and Demons of Marvin Gaye. I bought more Gaye bios than was reasonable and immersed myself in them--and in his music. I talked to my Dad for some of his memories and insights about Marvin Gaye, and logged lots of coffee shop hours on this manuscript.I wrote this manuscript on

Take 6 Loves Ella

2007-06-06T13:36:00.000-05:00

Tonight, We Love Ella: A Tribute to the First Lady of Song premieres on PBS' Great Performances. Check your local listings to find out when the program airs in your area.The concert, recorded in April 2007 (Fitzgerald would have celebrated her 90th birthday this year) features performers including Patti Austin, Natalie Cole, George Duke, Jon Faddis, Quincy Jones, Dave Koz, Ledisi, Monica Mancini,

J Moss On 'That Breathing Thing'

2007-06-01T21:41:00.000-05:00

When I read this Associated Press interview with J Moss, I laughed so loudly a coworker came by to see what the big deal was. Hats off to Aimee Maude Simms for asking one of those questions that, as an interviewer, you want to ask, but may or may not have the guts to.The relevant excerpt:"Associated Press: Sometimes when you sing, you do that breathing thing. You could almost think of it like the

About Gospel Gal

2007-06-01T19:16:00.000-05:00

A sneak peek at the "About Me" section on GospelGal.com (Coming Soon!)--and just in time for Black Music Month . . .****I believe in gospel music.As a little girl, I would slip one of my father’s James Cleveland albums from its paper sleeve and place it carefully on the turntable. I’d lift the arm, feeling a twinge of anticipation as the turntable spun to life.I’d place the needle gently on the

Unreflective Joy: A Little Dab'll Do Ya

2007-05-09T22:32:00.000-05:00

Frequent readers of this blog know that I strongly disapprove of the use of gospel music in advertising. (New readers can catch up here, here and here.)A quick review: I share the sentiments Dr. Barbara Holmes of Memphis Theological Seminary expresses in her book Joy Unspeakable: Contemplative Practices of the Black Church:"Exuberance and social consciousness are only the most obvious

Video Pick: Sing, Sister, Sing!

2007-05-09T03:36:00.000-05:00

This last week, I've been enjoying Gayle F. Wald's Shout, Sister, Shout! The Untold Story of Rock-and-Roll Trailblazer Sister Rosetta Tharpe. (Look for a review here in the next week or two.)I've been interested in Tharpe's life for a few years now, and I'm taking my usual approach to learning about a musician/artist: immersion (a Baptist thing, maybe?). Friends of mine recall the Summer of

Kayla Parker-Tolbert passes away

2007-04-25T00:22:00.000-05:00

"For me, the goal is always a song you can sing forever, a song that will mean something to people of all kinds."--Kayla Parker-Tolbert, who recently passed away.I first heard Kayla Parker-Tolbert's rich, agile lead vocal in the early 1990s on Marvin Winans' Introducing Perfecting Praise. I remember being amazed by the range she displayed on "Now Are We." For a long time, I couldn't figure out

A Good Musician Is Hard to Find?

2007-04-24T23:43:00.000-05:00

Recently, The New York Times and PBS' Religion & Ethics Newsweekly each reported on the difficulty many African-American churches face in finding and retaining musicians who are familiar with traditional gospel music.Samuel Freedman's NYT piece identifies several reasons for this trend: The growing influence of hip-hop among younger musicians, a decline in the types of school music programs that

Rediscovering Commissioned

2007-04-14T11:21:00.000-05:00

A couple of weeks ago, I started listening to Praise and Worship: Commissioned, one of several Verity Records/Legacy Recordings compilation albums featuring gospel music of the 1980s and 1990s.This album reminded me what a significant part Commissioned has played in my life. Like Take 6 and the Winans, this group's discography is part of my soundtrack. Number 7 was one of the first albums I

Sites to Savor: An Amazing Site About "Amazing Grace"

2007-04-14T02:48:00.000-05:00

Thursday, the Library of Congress launched a new web site devoted to the history of the hymn “Amazing Grace.” Like Sweet Chariot: The Story of the Spirituals, it’s a multimedia website and history project.The audio collection and database is in the Guiness Book of World’s Records as the largest collection of recordings of a single musical work. It's comprised of 3,049 recordings of the hymn and

Gospel Gal Gets Behind the Mic

2007-03-30T17:36:00.000-05:00

This Sunday morning (April 1, no fooling!), I'll be joining Friend of the Blog Bob Marovich during his monthly Gospel Memories broadcast. You can listen to the broadcast live this Sunday, April 1, from 3:00 - 7:30 a.m. Central Time US on Chicago's 88.7 WLUW, with a real-time webcast at www.wluw.org. I'll be there about 6:15-ish, with my radio voice and a bag of my best vinyl to share. In the

They Signed You, Bill!

2007-02-27T22:48:00.000-06:00

Today, Congress passed Senate Resolution 69, "[R]ecognizing the African-American spiritual as a national treasure." It was agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.Of course, you already knew that the spiritual is a national treasure. But here's the text of the resolution, which you can read for yourself here:RESOLUTIONRecognizing the African-American spiritual as a

Is it Just Me . . .

2007-02-27T22:27:00.000-06:00

Or do parts of Kierra Sheard's "Have What You Want" sound a lot like parts of D Train's "Keep On?"

Happy 110th Birthday, Marian Anderson!

2007-02-27T21:32:00.000-06:00

Today, the Marian Anderson Historical Society marks the 110th birthday of its namesake. Hear the famous contralto's voice, learn more about her life, and get information about the society's program for scholars here. Last week, my godmother gave me a copy of Songs and Spirituals by Marian Anderson. On vinyl! Here's a quote from the liner notes:"[The spirituals] are my own music, but it is not for

An Avatar . . .and a Spiritual

2007-01-29T00:30:00.000-06:00

Some of you may have noticed my nifty new avatar in the "profile" section at left. "Gospel Gal" comes courtesy of Design-Her Gals, a company that allows users to create a gal to print on stationery, mugs, business or calling cards, aprons, et cetera.It's a fun, creative concept, and I was so excited to discover this company--and not just 'cause it's made up of fellow gals! Through its Gal-to-Gal

Coming Soon . . .

2007-01-28T21:10:00.000-06:00

Friends,Some of you are aware that GospelGal.com, the blog, has served as the "beta" site for GospelGal.com, the dream. As I mentioned in my first post a couple of years ago, I've always had big plans for this website.Over the last couple of months, I've started to work and plan more steadily toward the next phase--a more traditional-looking site where I'll put some of the interviews and reviews

Trudy Pitts and 'Mr. C'

2007-01-21T19:05:00.000-06:00

I often run into interesting music stories I'd like to share with my GospelGal.com readers. But between a lot of busyness lately (and working on--wait for it--a full-scale relaunch of GospelGal.com), a lot of those great stories have piled up in my inbox.Here's one of those stories:Trudy Pitts and 'Mr. C,' Partners in Music: A beautiful story of life, love and music between jazz organist Trudy

Stellar Awards Recap

2007-01-18T22:07:00.000-06:00

As always, Gospelflava.com is on the case. Here is the list of Stellar Award winners, and here is the recap of last weekend's festivities. To find out when the awards will be airing in your area, click here.

Book Review: The Gospel According to the Beatles

2007-01-18T21:50:00.000-06:00

Review by LaTonya TaylorVeteran music journalist Steve Turner explores the spiritual paths of the Beatles—both collectively and as individuals—in this deftly and densely reported combination of cultural history, comparative religion, and biocritical insight. "The gospel of the Beatles is not found in their conformity to an orthodox creed," he notes, "but in their hunger for transcendence."Turner

Updates on Pilgrim Baptist Church . . .and Pilgrim Baptist Church

2007-01-18T20:47:00.000-06:00

Regular readers know that I was deeply grieved last year when Pilgrim Baptist Church, where Thomas Dorsey pioneered what we now call gospel music, was severely damaged in a fire. I'm writing to offer a correction and some updates.First, the correction: In this post, I wrote that that Pilgrim Baptist Church in Chicago is the church that appears in the movie The Blues Brothers--in the scene where

Two Songs for Dr. King

2007-01-15T17:24:00.000-06:00

If I Can Help SomebodyIf I can help somebody as I pass alongIf I can cheer somebody with a word or songIf I can show somebody they're traveling wrongThen my living shall not be in vain.If I can do my duty as a Christian oughtIf I can bring back beauty to a world up wroughtIf I can spread love's message that the Master taughtThen my living shall not be in vain.Then my living shall not be in

Hershey's Dark Chocolate Gets Harder to Swallow

2007-01-13T18:11:00.000-06:00

In a new commercial for Hershey's Dark Chocolate, people cheerfully unwrap chocolate bars with an especially joyous rendering of "Oh, Happy Day" in the background. If the voiceover is to be believed, we all have a reason to rejoice: Because dark chocolate is high in antioxidants, it's good for us.Apparently we are to put down the remote and get to singing, swinging, making merry like Christmas

More on Ahmet Ertegun and Jubilee Gospel

2007-01-13T17:31:00.000-06:00

As I promised when I last posted, I contacted friend-of-the-blog Bob Marovich with my question about Jubilee, a gospel label founded in part by the late Ahmet Ertegun. Here's what he said:"Here is what it says in the liner notes of the Jubilee Gospel reissue CD, written by Opal Louis Nations: 'In 1946, [Jubilee Records co-founder Jerry] Blaine started up the Cosnat Distributing Corporation with a

MusiQuote: Ahmet Ertegun, (1923-2006)

2006-12-16T22:09:00.000-06:00

"I'd be happy if people said that I did a little bit to raise the dignity and recognition of the greatness of African-American music."--Atlantic Records co-founder Ahmet Ertegun, on his legacy.Other stories about Ertegun:Ahmet Ertegun Earned Aretha Franklin's Respect (All Things Considered, NPR): Ertegun helped discover and develop many artists, including Ray Charles, Led Zeppelin and Sonny and

A Very Short Rebus

2006-10-31T21:42:00.000-06:00

Just for the . . .I'm . . . Just for the record, friends, I'm still blogging. I've had quite the summer--been running up and down the road, baking (latest project a friend's wedding cake), going to concerts, and as always, discovering some great new (and not so new) music. Meanwhile, a stack of books and CDs has been gathering dust in the corner of the coffee table. And I even forgot to observe

2006-08-21T18:36:00.000-05:00

Feels Good Release VideoCheck out this new video from my favorite group to learn more about Take 6's past and their hopes for Feels Good and their new label, Take 6 records.

Review: Vickie Winans' Woman to Woman: Songs of Life

2006-08-07T20:33:00.000-05:00

Vickie WinansWoman To Woman: Songs of Life (Verity)Released August 2006reviewed by LaTonya Taylor4 out of 5 starsSounds like … an eclectic mix of traditional and contemporary gospel music for fans of Helen Baylor or Anita Baker.At a glance … impressive for its magnitude alone, Woman to Woman showcases Winans' stylistic diversity and ability to choose songs that resonate with listeners.I once saw

Review: Izzy's In Awe of You

2006-08-07T20:26:00.000-05:00

IzzyIn Awe of You (VGR Entertainment)Released May 2006reviewed by LaTonya Taylor4 out of 5 starsSounds like … Soulful R&B for fans of Smokie Norful, J Moss or John Legend.At a glance … Izzy's earnest tenor and whimsical production sensibilities make In Awe of You a solid debut—and a great listen.Izzy (full name Israel Bell) is among the first artists signed to Maryland-based VGR Entertainment.

From the Vault: Interview with Israel Houghton

2006-07-12T22:24:00.000-05:00

A Friend of Godby LaTonya TaylorIsrael Houghton and New Breed are known for eclectic, cross-cultural praise and worship music and high-energy performances. With 2002's Real, rife with funky 1970s influences, and 2004's Live From Another Level, the group has continued to break new ground with their musical combination of the fresh and the familiar. I spoke to Houghton just after the Live From

Joe Carter, 1949-2006

2006-07-03T22:19:00.000-05:00

"[The spiritual] became the entrance, the open door, into . . .a whole new world of experience. The slaves could not experience the normal world. . .They were whipped, and they hadchains, and they found the secret door to take them into that world where thetears are wiped away.. . .One of the things I think about when I think about this body of music, I realize that it was the foundation for most

Gospel-ish, in a way: Jenny Lewis' Rabbit Fur Coat

2006-07-03T21:51:00.000-05:00

Jenny Lewis With the Watson TwinsRabbit Fur Coat (Team Love Records)Folk/Countryby LaTonya Taylor"Well you praise him / Then you thank him / 'Til you reach the by and by / And I've won hundreds at the track / But I'm not betting on the afterlife / …What have I done? / Why am I always messing with / The big guns? "—from "The Big Guns""I didn't intend to write a bunch of songs about God," singer/

Growin' Up: Interview with Kierra "KiKi" Sheard

2006-07-03T21:41:00.000-05:00

By LaTonya TaylorThe last two years involved a lot of big changes for gospel's Kierra "KiKi" Sheard. She finished high school, started college, and enjoyed an unusual level of acclaim for her debut album, I Owe You, including both Stellar and Dove Awards. Now, with her latest release, This Is Me, Sheard makes a musical move even more deeply into the R&B sounds she loves. The daughter of Karen

Tagged With a Music Meme

2006-07-01T22:20:00.000-05:00

A fellow blogger tagged me with the following meme:"List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether they have words, or even if they're not any good, but they must be songs you're really enjoying now. Post these instructions in your blog along with your 7 songs. Then tag 6 other people to see what they're listening to."I'll have to give the 6 people part some thought,

Psst! You Awake?

2006-07-01T22:08:00.000-05:00

If you're up late tonight (well, early tomorrow, Sunday, July 2, from 3:30-7:30 a.m. CST), tune in to wluw.org for Bob Marovich's monthly Gospel Memories broadcast. Here, from an e-mail Bob sends out to listeners, are some highlights from tomorrow's broadcast:"-- In Loving Memory of Billy Preston, who passed away last month. Billy may be known as "The Fifth Beatle," but he started in gospel (his

Review: Kierra "KiKi" Sheard's This Is Me

2006-06-29T23:04:00.000-05:00

Kierra "KiKi" SheardThis Is Me (EMI Gospel)Released June 2006reviewed by LaTonyaTaylor3.5/5 StarsSounds like … contemporary R&B for fans of Destiny's Child, Virtue, Mary Mary, and Ramiyah.At a glance … positive, enjoyable and occasionally irresistible, This Is Me is worth listening to, despite its occasional flaws.With the release of her debut album in 2004, Kierra "KiKi" Sheard took her first

From the Vault: Interview with Kierra "KiKi" Sheard

2006-06-12T22:23:00.000-05:00

Something About that Nameby LaTonya TaylorThe daughter of Karen Clark Sheard, Kierra "KiKi" Sheard was born into one of the most talented families in gospel music—and into the latest generation of singers influenced by Dr. Mattie Moss Clark and her daughters, The Clark Sisters. A gifted vocalist in her own right, Kierra—Dr. Clark's granddaughter—made her mark early, joining her mom on the album

Review: Sunny Hawkins' More of You

2006-06-12T22:13:00.000-05:00

Sunny HawkinsMore of You (Stillwaters/Hidden Beach)Released June 2006reviewed by LaTonya Taylor4.5 of 5 starsSounds like … classic, gospel-tinged R&B/neo soul for fans of Beyoncé, Jill Scott, Angie Stone, and Lisa McClendon.At a glance … a creative blend of genres, More of You combines strong vocals, multi-textured music, and thoughtful lyrics to yield a rewarding, enjoyable debut.Though More Of

Billy Preston (1946-2006)

2006-06-06T22:13:00.000-05:00

"When you're [making music] you're just trying to do the best you can . . . You don't know if you're doing something important, and whether it will make history has yet to be seen. Just the fact of being able to do it, and striving to do the best you can, was the accomplishment."--Billy Preston, quoted in The New York TimesIn an earlier post, I mentioned that Billy Preston was ill. Earlier today,

Review: Andrae Crouch's Mighty Wind

2006-05-30T21:48:00.000-05:00

Andraé CrouchMighty Wind (Verity)Released May 20065 of 5 starsReviewed by LaTonya TaylorSounds like … there is no "sounds like" for an innovator like Crouch, but fans of contemporary gospel artists such as Israel and New Breed, Fred Hammond, Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, and Donald Lawrence will enjoy this album.At a glance …Mighty Wind is an excellent introduction to Crouch's work—and an aural

Review: June Rochelle's Changing Places

2006-05-30T21:37:00.000-05:00

June RochelleChanging Places (Vision Entertainment)Released April 20062.5 of 5 starsReviewed by LaTonya TaylorSounds like … a mix of overtly Christian and inspirational songs in smooth R&B a la Anita Baker or Oleta Adams, with some hip-hop and jazz.At a glance …despite occasional missteps, fans of dreamy, smooth R&B will enjoy Rochelle's warm, soulful voice and positive

Break Up That Fallow Ground . . .

2006-05-26T13:36:00.000-05:00

Anyone know the song and artist/artists referenced in today's title? If so, you win . . .my admiration.Seriously, I know my posts have been infrequent lately. The blog has lain somewhat fallow as I've added more commitments (including some grad school coursework) to my ever-busy life. But once things slow down in a couple of weeks, I should be able to pick up the pace.In the meantime, I've

A Soul Man Testifies: Interview with David Ritz

2006-05-10T11:53:00.000-05:00

A Soul Man TestifiesGospel music led this skeptical author to faith.LaTonya Taylor interviews David RitzFew people have the stories—or the storytelling ability—of writer David Ritz. As biographer and ghostwriter, he's told the stories of famed artists like Marvin Gaye, Ray Charles, the Neville Brothers, and Aretha Franklin. With a new book, Messengers (Doubleday, 2006), Ritz presents the voices

Story Behind the Song: "Oh Happy Day"

2006-05-05T13:57:00.000-05:00

by LaTonya Taylor"Oh, happy dayWhen Jesus washed my sins away."“It’s amazing that God would take a simple little song like that and do what he’s done with it,” says Edwin Hawkins, the man behind one of gospel music’s best-loved hits.Hawkins first encountered the old-time Baptist hymn as a child listening to the legendary Philadelphia-based gospel group The Davis Sisters. He later rearranged the

Interview: Donald Lawrence, After the Finale

2006-04-17T18:37:00.000-05:00

After the Finaleby LaTonya TaylorThe latest album from Donald Lawrence and the Tri-City Singers, Finale, recognizes the end of the choir's award-studded 15-year career. With hits like "Stranger," "When the Saints Go to Worship," "Never Seen the Righteous," and "I Am God," the Tri-City Singers emerged as standard-bearers of the mass choir tradition. Tri-City not only held their own when it came to

Gospel Ghosts on American Idol

2006-04-12T20:33:00.000-05:00

I haven't paid much attention to American Idol since Season Two (the Ruben-Clay matchup), other than to cry at the hairdresser's at the end of Season Three when Fantasia sang "I Believe."But I happened to have the show on this evening and discovered that one of the contestants, Paris Bennett, is the granddaughter of Ann Nesby. Nesby was, at one time, a lead vocalist for Sounds of

Does It Get Any Better Than This?

2006-04-10T22:55:00.000-05:00

This weekend, I went to my first record show, where I spent the Easter Shoe Fund on the following treasures:45s:Rev. C. L. Franklin: I Will Trust In the Lord. Battle Records, 1962.Ray Charles and his orchestra: What'd I Say. Atlantic, 1959.The Womack Brothers: Yield Not to Temptation. SAR Records, 1961.Harry Belafonte: An Evening With Belafonte. RCA Victor, 1957.The Delfonics: Ready Or Not Here I

More With Mark Kibble . . .

2006-04-10T22:41:00.000-05:00

As I promised my new friends over at the Take6.com message board, here is another snippet from my interview with Mark Kibble:How can jazz be integrated into church services?Kibble: To me, what matters is the spirit in which you bring your music. If you come with an attitude of worship--and it’s not just about you and the type of music and your ability to bring music, but you really want to come

Review: Darrel Petties & Strength In Praise: Count It All Joy

2006-04-10T22:30:00.000-05:00

Darrel Petties & Strength In PraiseCount It All Joy (EMI)Released April 20063.5 out of 5 starsreviewed by LaTonya TaylorSounds like … traditional, choir-based gospel with contemporary influences for fans of Hezekiah Walker and the Love Fellowship Crusade Choir, or Bishop Eddie Long and the Total Praise Choir.At a glance … this well-executed debut is a serviceable homage to the mass-choir

Review: Donald Lawrence Presents the Tri-City Singers Finale: Act One and Two

2006-04-10T22:12:00.000-05:00

Donald Lawrence Presents the Tri-City SingersFinale: Act One and Two (EMI)Released April 20064 out of 5 starsreviewed by LaTonya TaylorSounds like … contemporary choir music featuring elements of R&B, with the occasional classical influence.At a glance … a fitting send-off for one of gospel's best-loved choirs, Finale also seems packaged to force listeners to purchase both CD/DVD sets.Recorded

Good News About Pilgrim Baptist Church

2006-03-28T20:12:00.000-06:00

In this article from the Chicago Sun-Times, architecture critic Kevin Nance reports some good news regarding Pilgrim Baptist Church: There are enough records, photographs and documentation related to the original building to rebuild the church in a way true to its original form.From the article:"There's not many buildings where you have this kind of documentation to tell what was there," says

Review: Feels Good--Take 6

2006-03-27T11:50:00.000-06:00

Take 6Feels Good (Take 6 Records)Released March 2006reviewed by LaTonya Taylor4.5 out of 5 starsSounds like … a capella vocal jazz, gospel and R&B for fans of artists like The Manhattan Transfer, Acapella, Boys II Men and Glad.At a glance … a return to Take 6's a capella roots, Feels Good is a reminder that when it comes to vocal jazz, these peerless cats haven't merely built a eclectic musical

Gospel Gal Interview: Jazzed about Take 6

2006-03-27T11:29:00.000-06:00

Jazzed About Take 6by LaTonya TaylorA verbal interlude on an early Take 6 album says that "all the sounds on this next song, including the drums, are created using the human voice or some other part of the anatomy." The reason for the playful explanation is clear: A capella is the easiest way to describe the blend of tight harmonies, multilayered aural surprises and stylistic eclecticism that

Happy Birthday, Aretha Franklin

2006-03-26T13:23:00.000-06:00

The Queen of Soul turned 64 yesterday."If a song's about something I've experienced or that could've happened to me, it's good. But if it's alien to me, I couldn't lend anything to it. Because that's what soul is all about."--Aretha Franklin, quoted in the Detroit Free Press

Two Shouts in One Day

2006-03-25T16:24:00.000-06:00

When it comes to worship, I've always been more of a silent crier than a shouter. But today, listening to Benita Washington's version of Walter Hawkins' "When the Battle Is Over," I had to shout. Jump up and down, dance for joy. My heart was full, and it just had to come out. (The song is on Washington's debut album, Hold On, which in my opinion was one of the best gospel albums of 2004).Later

Did Anyone Take Back the Music?

2006-03-22T23:11:00.000-06:00

An interesting discussion started over on hip-hop webmaster Davy D's website several weeks ago: Did anything ever come of Essence magazine's Take Back the Music Campaign? Here was my take on the issue at the time; now I'm curious about whether or not anything came of it . . .or are people still just talkin' 'bout revolution? The discussion didn't go too far on Davy's site, but perhaps we can

The Wait Is Over--And It Sure Feels Good

2006-03-21T14:53:00.000-06:00

Take 6 fans,Today is release day for the long-awaited Feels Good! So . . .get online or out to the bookstore and pick up your copy. It's the group's first album on their very own label, Take 6 Records, so buying your copy means supporting these artists more directly than before.I'll post my review--and an interview with Mark Kibble--here in the next few days.

A Review . . .and A Preview

2006-03-21T14:30:00.000-06:00

MESSENGERS: Portraits of African American Ministers, Evangelists, Gospel Singers, and Other Messengers of “the Word”David RitzPhotographs by Nicola GoodeDoubleday224 pages$29.95David Ritz learned about Christianity through black music. As a teen, his love for jazz led him to R&B and then gospel. As a music journalist and ghostwriter, he wrote and co-wrote acclaimed biographies of musicians like

Tear Down the Walls

2006-03-20T19:06:00.000-06:00

Rick Recht's album blends Jewish and African American culture in an interfaith project designed to inspire teens to fight racism.by Gospel GalFor Jewish rock musician Rick Recht, music, heritage and social justice have always gone together. Recht is known for writing songs that celebrate Jewish heritage and culture in contemporary forms. "I'm a teacher," he says. "I happen to play music—that's my

I Got a Song, Ain't Got No Melody . . .

2006-03-19T23:07:00.000-06:00

Lately I can't get the Billy Preston song "Will it Go 'Round In Circles" out of my head (a good thing, in my mind).When I mentioned this to my mom, she told me about Billy's career as a gospel organist (Whoo-hoo, Gospel Gal's mom!). I'm collecting info for a post about him, and discovered this post from fellow music blogger Red Kelly of The "B" Side. A worthy read.Billy's been sick lately, but

Someone Found This Site . . .

2006-03-13T23:08:00.000-06:00

. . .while searching for a "Rappin' Reverend t-shirt."My response: I am begging you. If you find one, please, please come back and tell us where we can get ours.I am one hundred percent serious.

Shades of Praise

2006-03-12T20:48:00.000-06:00

From NPR, a really neat story about Shades of Praise, an interracial, interdenominational choir in New Orleans. Founded by a Loyola University theology professor and led by the pianist for a New Orleans R&B legend, it's been a fixture on the N.O. scene for several years.Beyond that, though, it's a model for the way people of different races and classes can grow in community together--through good

An Ethnomusicologist on the Air

2006-03-11T18:08:00.000-06:00

From the Naples Daily News, a profile of Dick Spottswood, host of WAMU's bluegrass-themed radio program.

Another Reason to Love the Music . . .

2006-03-11T17:37:00.000-06:00

"'Oh, honey! It makes you feel relaxed, you feel it all over your bones . . . "If you're depressed, that's the great tool for getting yourself out of depression.'"--Ruthie Macon on gospel music, quoted in the Marion Chronicle-Tribune

More on Jazz in Church

2006-03-11T17:28:00.000-06:00

Here's a wonderful article from yesterday's Chicago Tribune: Churches get in groove with jazz. My favorite quote: "'I see jazz as mirroring God's continuing creation in the world,'" said Pastor Janet Volk of Northlake Lutheran Church in Northlake. "'You never know what's going to happen.'"My own life has taken a jazzlike, unexpected turn. More on that later! In the meantime: What's the most

The Inheritors

2006-02-25T13:05:00.000-06:00

"I have nothing against contemporary gospel musicians, with their suave choral arrangements and eclecticism. They are the inheritors. But there is no thrill like listening to those who invented the language."--Margo Jefferson, in "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing: Soaring Hallelujahs of the Original Gospel Music," The New York Times, August 25, 2005

What's Jon Gibson Up To?

2006-02-22T00:18:00.000-06:00

Have you ever just lost track of a favorite artist? A friend of mine introduced me to the work of Jon Gibson a few years ago, but I haven't heard much from him lately. Turns out, he's on MySpace. Here's a link to his page, where you can view footage of a recent performance. You can also listen to my favorite Jon Gibson song, "Fly With the Wind." During a really crummy, difficult period in my

Update: Boys Choir of Harlem

2006-02-21T22:55:00.000-06:00

An update related to this post:Harlem Boys Choir Faces Eviction (CNN.com): "There have been many moments of greatness over the decades for the Boys Choir of Harlem -- concerts around the world, audiences including Nelson Mandela and Pope John Paul II. But the choir has also struggled in recent years with financial troubles, and management issues in the wake of a sexual abuse scandal."Boys Choir

Karen Clark Sheard: Back From the Dead

2006-02-21T21:39:00.000-06:00

Interview by LaTonya TaylorFor gospel's Karen Clark Sheard, music ministry has always been a fact of life. As one of the Clark Sisters, she and sisters Dorinda, Twinkie and Jacky revolutionized the genre in ways that still reverberate throughout the industry. But Karen didn't stop there. She began a solo career in 1997 with Finally Karen, taking her distinctive vocal acrobatics to a new audience.

Gospel Geek Alert: Album Cover Roundup

2006-02-18T11:04:00.000-06:00

Now, this is cool. A website called albumart.org tracks CD and DVD covers. This promises to be helpful on a few levels. For example, not only can you trace an artist's various hairstyles through the years (valuable, I know), but it's also a good way to fill in any gaps you have in your knowledge of an artist's discography. I've just done a bit of browsing so far, but it seems to have an

So, What Do You Talk About Here?

2006-02-18T10:46:00.000-06:00

Here's a Word Cloud (get yours, and have it put on a t-shirt, at www.snapshirts.com) including words from recent posts:So, which of these topics has been most interesting to you so far? What gospel-music issues or news stories are you most interested in conversing about?

Gospel Music: Great Stories, Flawed Characters

2006-02-07T21:19:00.000-06:00

Friends,I've decided to start posting more of my published work here on gospelgal.com. Here's a recent interview I hope you enjoy.Gospel Music: Great Stories, Flawed Charactersby Gospel GalRenowned gospel music journalist and publicist Bil Carpenter is always listening to and thinking deeply about the topic. As author of Uncloudy Days: The Gospel Music Encyclopedia, Carpenter explores the stories

Stellar Awards Results Announced

2006-01-22T17:10:00.000-06:00

Here, courtesy of Gospelflava.com, are the results of yesterday's 21st Annual Stellar Awards.

I Miss You, Too . . .

2006-01-21T11:31:00.000-06:00

Friends,I'm going underground for a couple of weeks, as deadlines are falling on me like Midwestern snow. I've got lots to talk about--and I owe y'all some updates on the Harlem Boys and Girls Choirs, Pilgrim Baptist, and the "Have A Little Talk With Jesus" story.In the meantime, why not take a look through the archives, check out a couple of the books I'm reading, write in to recommend your

We're Gonna Miss His Lovin' . . . Lou Rawls, 1935-2005

2006-01-08T00:00:00.000-06:00

Lou Rawls passed away Friday (not the best day for Chicago's gospel music history, see below). Rawls, a contemporary and friend of Sam Cooke, was a member of the Teenage Kings of Harmony and The Holy Wonders before replacing Cooke in the Highway QCs. The Chicago native was then a member of the Chosen Gospel Singers and the Pilgrim Travelers before deciding to sing pop music. In 2001, he recorded

A Tragic Loss for Gospel Music History

2006-01-07T22:04:00.000-06:00

Chicago's Pilgrim Baptist Church burned down yesterday afternoon. Not only was the building an architectural landmark--it was designed by Louis Sullivan as a synagogue and built in 1890--but it is, in many ways, the birthplace of gospel music. Pilgrim Baptist Church moved into the building in 1920. Thomas Dorsey directed the choir there, and artists like Mahalia Jackson, Sallie Martin, James

Trouble for the Boys Choir of Harlem

2006-01-07T10:50:00.000-06:00

The world-renowned Boys and Girls Choir of Harlem has faced several serious financial and management problems over the last few years. Now, they are facing eviction from the public school housing the Choir Academy of Harlem by January 31.Unfortunately, at least from the articles I've read, it appears the Department of Education is justified in this act. Allegations of sexual abuse--and

'Just A Little Talk With Jesus' Makes Some Trouble

2006-01-02T22:31:00.000-06:00

Hat tip to my friends at GetReligion, who've discovered an interesting story with a gospel music ghost. More here about how four legislators filed suit to stop what they considered sectarian prayer after Clarence Brown led the Indiana state House in singing "Just a Little Talk With Jesus."More links later . . .

Harmony, Hope and Healing

2006-01-01T21:27:00.000-06:00

This week's edition of Religion & Ethics Newsweekly features the story of Harmony, Hope and Healing, a Chicago-area project that forms choirs made up of homeless women who are rebuilding their lives. Read and/or watch here.A quote from Cherisse Ellis, a singer in one of the choirs: "When I'm singing I feel that everything is right in my spirit, in my world."Here's a Q&A with Marge Nykaza, the

Opening Pandora's Box

2006-01-01T20:41:00.000-06:00

Last night, I learned about Pandora, a creation of the Music Genome Project.A description of the project from the MGP site: "[W]e set out to capture the essence of music at the most fundamental level. We ended up assembling literally hundreds of musical attributes or "genes" into a very large Music Genome. Taken together these genes capture the unique and magical musical identity of a song -

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