Prayer

A very simple song with an absolutely beautiful, very powerful and moving four fold amen at the end, a bit reminiscent of Richard Smallwood’s “Total Praise”.

 

  1. Prayer Chicago Mass Choir 3:00

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Hold Out

There aren’t many songs that bring me to tears, but this one does. Although it came out in 2012, I only learned of it recently and this version which I found on YouTube is as good as it gets. It is soooooo powerful. If you like the song, you’ll LOVE the video of the North Park University Gospel Choir singing the song in concert. (Link is below) Wow. Hallelujah and Amen.

 

  1. Hold Out North Park University Gospel Choir 6:27

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Song says:

So many nights, I cried.
For better days, I prayed for.
But through it all, I KNOW.
The sun is going to shine…
If I hold out.

 

I’ve Been ‘Buked

Here is a beautiful rendition of this classic spiritual performed by an octet; all the voices this song really needs when you can sing like they do. It’s a wonderful thing when the bass voice comes in on the end of “sures you born” (:42). And to stay spot on pitch through the whole song is no easy feat either!!

 

  1. I've Been Buked 3:11

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Glory, Hallelujah He Lifted Me (aka I’m So Glad Jesus Lifted Me)

From Fuquay Varina, North Carolina (a bit southwest of Raleigh/Durham), I present the Providence Baptist Church Gospel Choir. Their mission: “To sing inspirational songs of praise and worship with the anointing to heal, set captives free and bring sinners to repentance.” One of my favorite songs and one of the first songs James Early taught Joyful Voices when he became director (although the arrangement is a bit different).  This is a great version. Only criticism I have is that it’s not long enough…it leaves me wanting more.

 

  1. Glory, Hallelujah He Lifted Me Providence Baptist Church Gospel Choir 4:04

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Better

  1. Better Hezekiah Walker 4:31

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So, today finds me in update New York while I attend a 4 day gospel music workshop with my great niece who goes to St. Lawrence University here in Canton NY and who sings in the school’s gospel choir. Last night was the first of 4 rehearsals which will culminate in a concert Saturday evening in the performing arts center at St. Lawrence. There will be over 100 voices, a 7/8 piece band and the directors are remarkable. The school’s Asst. Chaplin directs the choir and the band leader and co-director and one of THREE keyboardists is one Mario Vaughn a musician with The Chicago Mass Choir.

At any rate, this is one of the songs from the repertoire, Hezekiah Walker’s latest, hugely popular song, “Better” (Think “Every Praise“). Like almost all Hezekiah songs, its remarkably simple and HIGHLY infectious…I’ll give you an earworm warning right now.

All Night, All Day

 

  1. All Night, All Day The Florida Mass Choir 9:23

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A great, slow, traditional gospel song from my favorite choir, The Florida Mass Choir. This was recorded in 1992 at the Victory Church in Lakeland Florida. (A simple country church as evidenced by the photo below of the sanctuary! I’ve been there!!!)

 

 

If you want another take on the theme of “All night and all day, angels watching over me”, be sure to listen to “Angels” by Richard Smallwood and Vision.

 

  1. Angels Richard Smallwood 6:52

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How Majestic

At first I thought the synthesized horns were a bit corny, but by the end of the song I came to like them and felt they fit nicely with the majestic feel of the song. Catchy song!

 

  1. How Majestic Malcolm Williams & The Voices of Great Faith 4:22

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I’ll Make It Home Someday (We Are Climbing Higher and Higher)

A nice performance of the old song “I’ll Make It Home One Day”.

Have a good Sunday and a fun rest of the long weekend!

 

  1. I'll Get Home Someday (We Are Climbing Higher and Higher) Dynamic Praise 5:36

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Look Where God Has Brought Us

A wonderful song from the choir of Chicago’s Trinity United Church of Christ.  Put your hands together this morning and sing along…especially when you pick up the vamp.

Look where God has brought us
Look how far we’ve come
We’re not what we ought to be
We’re not what we used to be
Thank you Lord for what you’ve done

 

  1. Look Where God Has Brought Us Trinity United Church of Christ 5:21

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Count It All Joy

  1. Count It All Joy The New Jerusalem Baptist Church Choir 5:45

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This song is drawn from John 1:2 that says, “Count it all joy when you meet trials of various kinds”, and Romans 8:28 that says “all things work together for those who love the Lord”.  I marvel at how resilient and indomitable Black America has been/is in the face of so much adversity, suffering and oppression through so many years.  How does one deal with all that?? 
“Just count it all joy!”??  That’s a tall order that requires such a deep faith that it is hard to fathom. But this is the power and the message of gospel music.

When you’ve been down and out;
You can’t find your way
You’re burdens get so heavy
You don’t want to face another day
Count it all joy, count it all joy,
Count it ALL joy,
All things can happen to you
For we all know that all things work together
For those who love the Lord