Walk With Me Lord

  1. Walk With Me Lord Tina Turner 3:36

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Here is an appropriate song for today since the “Walk For Music” is being held in East Boston this afternoon. This is from the album “The Gospel According to Ike and Tina” (Who knew, right??), one of the last albums the duo recorded in 1974 before their divorce. Tina always said they never ever did anything nice and easy, and they approached their Gospel in the same manner. Drawing on the style she heard in the churches in her youth, Tina brings that same fiery passion to this song.

Walk With Me Lord” is a solo by Tina and probably rates an 11 on a scale of 10. Vocals are top notch and the song is traditional gospel all the way through with a slow, bluesy feel.

That Was Good

  1. That Was Good Maggie Bell 3:05

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I can’t find ANYTHING about Maggie Bell anywhere online other than about two songs, so I haven’t much to say other than I like this traditional slow song from 1970.

He’s Alright With Me

  1. He's Alright With Me Rev. Charles Nicks Jr. & The St. James Choir 3:47

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Rev. Charles Nicks has always been one of my favorite gospel artists.  His music is always fresh and original and powerful.  This song grabbed me because it isn’t your average gospel song; it has some neat chords and progressions you don’t usually find in gospel that make it sound wonderful.  The mix of the B3, guitar and drums on the intro is great, and the choir is amazing.  Just wish the song didn’t fade out…it must have gone on longer than the 4 minutes here. I want more!

When We All Get To Heaven

  1. When We All Get To Heaven Willie Walker and the Waves Of Joy 2:20

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A nice uptempo version of an old song of the church.  Good old, down home tarheel gospel from Charlotte North Carolina! I love the backbone that the strident, straight on drum beat gives to the song.

Come Now To Jesus

  1. Come Now To Jesus The Alfonza Campbell Choir 3:50

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I stumbled across this song and really like the style and the sound.  Not your every day run-of-the-mill gospel song and it’s refreshing.

Holy Thou Art God

  1. Holy Thou Art God Richard Smallwood and Vision 8:52

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Richard Smallwood’s mini masterpiece, Holy Thou Art God.  Just one of 15 great songs on his “Healing – Live in Detroit” album.  At his peak there was no one like Richard Smallwood and his gospel music legacy lives on today.

One of the things that makes Smallwood’s music so beautiful is the incredible dynamics his singers use.  Every word has meaning and ebbs and swells and flows as needed.  Remarkable vocals on this song; nine minutes with only a few lyrics but the song keeps you riveted throughout.

And last but not least, the incredible lead solo vocals were performed by none other than the amazing Vanessa Williams. She initially gained recognition as the first African-American recipient of the Miss America title when she was crowned Miss America 1984 in September 1983. However, a few weeks prior to the end of her reign, she learned that Penthouse magazine would be publishing unauthorized nude photographs of her in an upcoming issue. Williams thus resigned as Miss America on July 22, 1984 (under pressure from the Miss America Organization), and was replaced by first runner-up Miss New Jersey Suzette Charles.

Today Vanessa Williams is one of the most respected and multi-faceted performers in entertainment today. She has conquered the musical charts, Broadway, music videos, television and motion pictures. She has sold millions of albums worldwide and she has achieved critical acclaim as an actress on stage, in film and on television.

HalleluYah Anyhow

  1. HalleluYah Anyhow Rev. Oris L. Mays with Rev. Clay Evans & The AARC Mass Choir 5:22

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Always one of my favorites, Rev. Clay Evans had a way of finding great singers to work with him.  Here is the late Rev. Oris L. Mays singing “HalleluYah Anyhow” with Rev. Clay Evan’s AARC (African American Religious Connection) Mass Choir.

Check Out This Great Gospel Music Blog (no, not mine…someone else’s!)

Here is a great resource for you gospel music lovers that I stumbled on this morning;  The Gospel Funk Music Blog.

This site has 77 pages of links to YouTube videos of great, fairly arcane, unknown gospel songs…a wonderful collection.  More than that, the “Links” page has several other neat sites, and the “Artists” page has an extensive list of gospel artists.  Check it out!!

 

In The Shadow

  1. In The Shadow Lannie Spann McBride & Greater Fairview Young Adult Choir 3:54

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I cant’ find out much about this great youth choir other than they are from Greater Fairview church in Jackson Mississippi and were very popular in the 70’s and 80’s, touring the US and abroad and recording several albums.  This cut is from 1986.

I Can’t Feel At Home

  1. I Can't Feel At Home The Loving Sisters & Their Sons 4:22

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Gladys McFadden & The Loving Sisters began recording in 1962 and continued to record until 1978. They embraced the new sounds of the emerging ’60 music like wah-wah guitar and funky tempos, early on. They are known for their gospel songs that sound like secular soul recordings. In this case they breathe some new life into the traditional song, “I Can’t Feel At Home”.

Gladys was the primary lead singer and wrote almost all of their material, often addressing social matters. She also produced many of their albums. The 1974 album, “The Loving Sisters and Their Sons”, from which this cut is from, is considered one of their finest recordings with songs with lots of wah-wah guitar and funky grooves at various tempos.  ‘I Can’t Feel At Home’ has both a southern gospel sound and quartet arrangement.