Are You Washed In The Blood

Sometimes people who weren’t brought up in the Fundamental, Pentecostal or Evangelical church find the idea of being washed in the blood of the lamb as being gross or just not a very happy subject. Actually, for those who believe, being washed in the blood is a VERY GOOD thing…something to spread the good news…the GOSPEL..about.  That’s why there are so many of these songs in the gospel discography.

This uptempo song is from John P. Kee (the growl-y guy singing lead) and has a big choir sound to it, even though the song goes back a bit.  Some nice cross rhythms too. I LOVE the vamp (2:20 on)…worth the wait. Enjoy.

  1. Are You Washed In The Blood John P. Kee & Tina Morrison 3:28

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We Need a Blessing

A wonderful traditional song with a terrific Hammond B3 info from Clay Evans and the Clark Road Baptist Church Combined Choirs.  Great bass line too!

  1. We Need A Blessing Clay Evans and the Clark Road Baptist Church Combined Choirs 4:18

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When Things Go Wrong

The incomparable Beverly Crawford.

  1. When Things Go Wrong Beverly Crawford 5:51

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The storm, so harsh and cruel,
Sometimes it leaves you battered and bruised.
But troubles don’t last always;
And I know that tomorrow is another day.

My faith has made me whole.
Because of You I know
(That) When things go wrong…
I will not fall
With You at my side, we will conquer all
When sorrows come, and the river seems too wide
Through faith in you, I can stem the tide…

When things go wrong…
(With)You at my side…
When trouble comes…
Through faith in you…

Thank You Lord

A nice contemporary version of this song from Mary Mary, Erica and Tina Campbell. This song was one of the songs in the repertoire when the Geoff Hicks Inspirational Choir (precursor to Joyful Voices of Inspiration) made it’s first trip to Italy in July 1999.  Ooops…the prior information is NOT true.  The Hicks Choir did sing a song titled “Thank You Lord”, but it wasn’t THIS song.  THIS SONG was originally written and performed by Walter Hawkins and The Love Center Choir on his “Love Alive IV” album that was released in 1990.

I’m pretty sure that the male vocals during the vamp near the end of the song are by the late, great Rev. James Moore. It’s hard to miss a voice as distinctive as that!

  1. Thank You Lord Mary Mary 7:02

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Do Not Pass Me By

A GREAT contemporary version of the old church song by Donald Lawrence and The Tri-City Singers. I once asked Joyful Voices’ former director James Early who his favorite gospel singers/groups were and his first answer was Donald Lawrence. High praise given all the possible responses!

The song opens with a simple but catchy intro on the Hammond B3, then breaks into the song with a wonderful fast walking bass line. And the vamp…oh my…perfect.

  1. Do Not Pass Me By Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers 6:08

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Take Me Higher

This song is classic Clark Sisters, one that really showcases what is now dubbed “The Clark Sound”, described as incorporating high and fast melismas (listen at 3:05), acrobatic trills and riffs, and deep, soulful growls, or “squalls”. One really does have to marvel at the musical talent that was either genetically passed on or just taught to these women by their mother, gospel legend, Mattie Moss Clark. (Mattie Moss Clark was once referred to as “The Bach of black gospel choral music.”)

In 1983, the Clark Sisters were invited to perform at the Grammy Awards. It proved to be one of the highlights of the annual awards ceremony, but their church, The Church of God in Christ, did not approve of it and told their mother, Mattie Moss Clark, who at the time was serving as International President of the COGIC music department, that she could not perform with her girls again. What fun spoilers!

  1. Take Me Higher The Clark Sisters 5:50

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Mary (Don’t You Weep)

EVERY time I hear Take 6 sing a song I’m just astounded about how good these guys are. I don’t think I’ve ever heard an acapella group that comes close to their sound, and their arrangements are unlike any others. The group started while these men were in college and story goes they would rehearsal in a large shower room because of the great reverb and acoustic.

The walking bass line during the vamp that starts at 2:03 is amazing; just like a solid acoustic double bass…but better!

  1. Mary Take 6 3:33

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Lord Be Magnified

I don’t know exactly why I love African children’s gospel choirs, but I do. The accent? The rythyms? Not sure.

  1. Lord Be Magnified African Children's Choir 3:57

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Jesus Is The Light

One of my all time favorite songs from one of my all time favorite choirs…The Florida Mass Choir. Have a great day.

 

  1. Jesus Is The Light The Florida Mass Choir 7:36

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In The Midst Of It All

Yolanda Adams (of “My Liberty” fame) loves to do these big torchy kind of songs. This has the same sort of feel as her other big hit “Through the Storm” in that at 3:30 the song goes from a gentle major tone into very a “gospel-ly”, bluesy bridge and vamp with a vocal backup.

  1. In The Midst Of It All Yolanda Adams 6:58

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