Hallelujah (Live)

Tamela Mann began her career as a singer with the gospel group Kirk Franklin and the Family. She was a featured soloist on several tracks while with Franklin’s group, including “Don’t Take Your Joy Away”, “Now Behold the Lamb”, and “Lean on Me”, the latter of which also included Mary J. Blige, Crystal Lewis, R. Kelly, and Bono. She released her debut studio album in 2005. Her third studio album, Best Days was certified Gold by the RIAA, and lead single “Take Me to the King” was huge commercial success, and well as received Grammy Award for Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance nomination.[1]

 

  1. Hallelujah (Live) Tamela Mann 4:40

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Mann is known for her role as Cora in Tyler Perry’s plays, including I Can Do Bad All By Myself, Diary of a Mad Black Woman, Madea’s Family Reunion, Madea’s Class Reunion, Meet the Browns, and What’s Done in the Dark. Mann has appeared in movies including Diary of a Mad Black Woman and Madea’s Big Happy Family. She recorded some songs on the soundtrack for Diary of a Mad Black Woman, including participating in the song “Father (Can You Hear Me)”.

Heaven Belongs To You

Born an only child in Savannah, Georgia, Bignon was surrounded by a musical and churchgoing family. It was no surprise, then, that he carried on the family tradition by singing in church from age five and writing sacred songs by age 11. Recognizing their son’s talent, the Bignons made sure James received formal music lessons and was trained in music theory.

While a student at Lucy C. Laney High School in Augusta, Georgia, Bignon organized his first mass choir. He received his first professional gospel music experience while touring with legendary singer Dorothy Norwood. In 1983, the Reverend Milton Biggham of Savoy Records invited him to be the music minister for the newly formed Georgia Mass Choir.

 

  1. Heaven Belongs To You James Bignon 4:37

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Bignon also wrote for, and recorded with, the Gospel Music Workshop of America Mass Choir. The GMWA Mass Choir recorded his He’ll Make Everything Alright in 1991 and All the Way in 1994. In 1995, Bignon expanded his performance resume by leading a ten-member choir in Michael Flatley’s Irish stage musical Riverdance.

As a solo artist and leader of the 400-voice Deliverance Mass Choir, Bignon released a string of albums on Atlanta International Records. The earliest AIR releases were How Excellent Is Thy Name (1991) and Use Me (1992). He received a Male Vocalist of the Year nomination from the Stellar Awards for the title track of Heaven Belongs to You (1994). Other AIR albums include What a Mighty God We Serve (1996) and On the Other Side of Through (1998).

In 2009, Bignon and the Deliverance Mass Choir recorded Evolution: If I Hold Out My Change Will Come for his Omni Global Music Network label.

Brighter Day

From Kirk Frankin’s 2002 Platinum album, “The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin comes this bright, snappy, gospel, hip hop, praise song (whew). This cut was recorded live in Houston TX in 2001. Great horns, and great harmonic build up by choir, as the dynamics of the song gather momentum. The sharp strummed guitar at the beginning sets the whole song up and the strident/blaring horns are really effective. Love the sassy sound of the female group that opens the song and then a fantastic deep bass kicks in.  Wonderful syncopations on the “Brighter Day” vamp with modulations.  I love it all.

 

  1. Brighter Day Kirk Franklin 5:40

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I’ll Wear A Crown

If you’re like me, you never get tired of this song. This is a version I don’t think I’ve posted yet…nice female quartet singing; not sure who the male singing lead is, but he’s wonderful too.

 

  1. I'll Wear A Crown Inspired Catholic Voices 4:59

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God’s Got It

Whatever you want…God’s Got It!
Whatever you need…He Will Supply!

A classic from Chicago’s own Milton Brunson & The Thompson Community Choir. (Great popping bassline too!)

 

  1. God's Got It Rev. Milton Brunson & The Thompson Community Choir 3:47

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All Night

I’m taking us back to 2005. Pastor Alvin Darling and his group, Celebration released an album titled “You Deserve My Worship.” The name of this down-home, toe-tappin’  song is “All Night”.  Alvin Darling grew up in Newark, NJ and is currently pastor at Greater Mt. Zion Holy Church and Old Ship of Zion Church in New Jersey. This song has a very Southern feel that would make you feel like you was at your grandmother’s church in South Carolina. But nope, he’s from Jersey.  Not that there’s anything wrong with that!

 

  1. All Night Alvin Darling and Celebration 4:38

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Center Of My Joy

Sorry for not posting much recently…a bit too busy recently.

I heard this song on my walk this morning.  I’ve heard it before, but today I really GOT IT and understood the power and beauty of it.  (I’m pretty sure The New England Gospel Ensemble sang this too.)  Anyway, I think in the past I’ve often pushed the “NEXT/FORWARD” button when this song has come on and I’m not sure why. I listened to it three times back to back today…the ending vamp/chorus is great…typical, strong Smallwood music. I am a bit ashamed I haven’t posted this song before…it deserves exposure even though it is already a gospel classic in its own right.  Enjoy. 

 

  1. Center of My Joy Richard Smallwood 5:20

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