Hosanna Hosanna

Glenn Edward Burleigh was the first of three children born to Rev. Nathaniel and Iona Burleigh, July 5, 1949 (one day before me!!) in Guthrie, Oklahoma. He graduated from high School in 1967 and entered the University of Oklahoma as a piano major graduating in 1971. He attended Oklahoma City University where he received his Master of Music degree in 1977.

Today’s song, “Hosanna Hosanna” is from an Easter Cantata Burleigh wrote titled “Let God Rise”, and was one of the songs in JVOI’s very first season’s repertoire in 1999.  In 1991 Glenn Burleigh composed the now classic song “Order My Steps” made famous by The Gospel Music Workshop of America Women of Worship.

  1. Hosanna Hosanna Glen Burleigh 3:44

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I Am Waiting

For those of you who might need a refresher on the story of Job, the into to this song gives a simple, concise, one minute synopsis in language we all can understand.

Released in 1989, the song features the incredible Rev. Daryl Coley.

  1. I Am Waiting GMWA Mass Choir 7:07

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I Won’t Complain

Okay, this is the biggest post I’ve EVER made, and it’s worth every note

The song “I Won’t Complain” has been recorded and covered so many times; it is just one of those old songs that, with the right singer(s), NEEDS to be sung.

  1. I Won't Complain Ricky Smiley 1:47
  2. I Won't Complain Rev. Paul Jones 11:35
  3. I Won't Complain Tammy Caesar 6:08
  4. I Won't Complain Rance Allen, Rev. Bennie Oliphant and Elder Marvin Miller 6:29

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Yesterday James Early posted a link to three singers (Rance Allen, Bennie Oliphant and Marvin Miller) in a radio studio singing this song that was, beyond any doubt in my mind, the best version ever of this song. Last night I listened to 15+ versions on YouTube and ITunes, any only a few stood out. So, today, here is more than you might ever want to know about the song.

The first cut gives a little background to the song…a good place to start.

The seminal version was recorded by Rev. Paul Jones who died at the young age of 30 in 1990. You should listen to this first.

The next version worth commenting on is by Tammy Caesar, gospel legend Shirley Caesar’s niece. The song features only a great Hammond B3 and Tammy…that’s all it needs.

The last cut is the one James posted, which MUST NOT BE MISSED. And if you want to watch the video, click here.

 

Hold on to God’s Unchanging Hand

Another great version of  “Hold on to God’s Unchanging Hand”. This cut is from the “Volume 4 – Community Gospel” CD in the Smithsonian-Folkway “Wade in the Water” four CD collection. Not every song in this set enthralls me, but there are plenty of cuts across the 4 CDs that are unmatched. Follow the link and check out the whole series.  You’re bound to find something you like!

  1. Hold to God's Unchanging Hand Union Temple Baptist Church 7:07

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Just A Prayer Away

Another offering from the Tommies ….Chicago’s Rev. Milton Brunson and The Thompson Community Choir.  Happy Memorial Day weekend!!

  1. Just A Prayer Away 3:35

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Savior, Do Not Pass Me By

I was reminded of this great song this morning because I just watched a video of The Afro Sound Choir from Buenos Aires Argentina performing the song.  BOTH versions are fantastic. One of my most favoritest songs.

  1. Do Not Pass Me By Lawrence Matthews 6:08

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Stand Up (for Jesus)

It’s a strange irony that a white pop record would make an American black gospel choir a household name around the world. Nevertheless, it was The New Jersey Mass Choir’s collaboration with Foreigner on their internationally massive hit “I Want To Know What Love Is” that first brought the choir to most people’s attention.

  1. Stand Up (For Jesus) The New Jersey Mass Choir 4:53

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The New Jersey Mass Choir is interdenominational, and has long since extended beyond its New Jersey roots, with members drawn from all over the US. It’s also a small choir with only 20 singers going on a 1990 the European Tour.

Is that small number of singers a good thing??  “Listen, trust me! Its good – because the New Jersey Mass Choir was once comprised of 150, almost 200 members. We needed three or four buses to get from one state to another. For traveling purposes you compact it to around 25. These are your picked voices, the main voices, the good voices who do the job of 150. Everybody is in their place, and doing what they’re supposed to do,” says founder and director Donny Hathaway.

When You Cry

The Winans from Detroit were one of the first groups to really merge gospel, R&B, soul, and secular music into songs that both the gospel community and secular audiences could embrace.

This cut is from the album “The Winans: Return” that was huge hit. On the 1990 Billboard gospel charts it hit #1, on the CCM (Contemporary Christian Music) charts #4, on the R&B/hip-hop charts #12, and #90 on the Billboard Top 200.   (Yup, that’s Kenny G. on alto sax).

  1. When You Cry The Winans 6:03

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Living He Love Me – Medley

Here’s a great old song from Donnie McClurkin recorded at one of Minister Carlton Pearson’s “Live at Azuza” conferences.

  1. Living He Love Me - Medley Donnie McClurkin 5:56

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“Mr. Pearson’s annual Azusa conferences, a powerful combination of music and ministry, drew as many as 20,000 people to Oral Roberts University. (He’d started his career in the 1970s as a member of Oral Roberts’ World Action Singers.) The “Live at Azusa” recordings that grew out of the conferences became big sellers. Gospel artists from across the country pleaded to be part of them.”

Carlton Pearson’s story is VERY interesting. Take a bit of time to read “The Fall and Rise of Carlton Pearson”.

Silent Tears

This is not your usual gospel song, but it’s quite moving. Bishop Larry Trotter has this booming, growling voice that just grabs your attention; he doesn’t “sing”…he uses his voice as a preacher would while letting the choir do the singing. I think we all have had times in our lives when we just couldn’t let anyone see/hear our “silent tears”. Starting at about 3:00, this song starts to build and build until it reaches a marvelous, cathartic finale.

  1. Silent Tears Bishop Larry Trotter 7:17

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