Worthy of Praise

Angela Spivey, the third child of Rev. Harvey and Vernice Spivey, was born on November 9, 1959. Angie, as she is affectionately called, grew up on the West side of Chicago and attended Lucy Flowers High School. After graduating from high school, Angie launched a career in the hair business.

Before getting deep into her academic studies, Angie at the age of 14 years old started a Young People’s Choir at her then and still home church First Corinthians Missionary Baptist Church, where she has served as minister of music for 27 years.

 

  1. Worthy Of Praise Angela Spivey and the Voices of Victory 4:33

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As a successful businesswoman, Angie owned and operated a hair salon for 14 years. After laying down the “Hot Irons”, she began a career in Real Estate. Angie is now a Senior Loan Officer for Refinancing and a Property Investor.

In 1997, Angie and The Voices recorded their second Live Recording “In The Church”, and released their third Live Recording “Glory,Honor And Praise” soon thereafter. In presenting these three albums, Angie was able to birth her song writing talent with songs such as “Lo I’ll Be With You Always”, “Oh Lord Fix Me” (Arrangement), “It Shouldn’t Be In The Church”, Step Out On Faith” and I Want To Be Worthy.” Angie is also the lead singer on the song “So You Would Know” which has become the national anthem of the Gospel Announcers Guild of the Gospel Music Workshop of America. Angie’s anointed rendition of this song has blessed many souls worldwide.

(Source: Wikipedia)

When All God’s Children – Post #2

This is the more common, well known version of the song, however the Harlem Gospel Singers chose to do it able as fast as possible! It’s a fun uptempo arrangement.  This cut is from a recording made at the Cologne Germany Philharmonic Hall in 2002.

 

  1. When All God's Children The Harlem Gospel Singers 4:07

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When All God’s Children

So yesterday I realized that I have yet to publish a few versions of a gospel standard, “When All God’s Children”.  This version has a different tune, but uses the same lyrics.  This song is etched in my brain because I used it as the sound track to an early video slideshow I made from images from the very first JVOI trip to Italy in 1999!. (see below as well!)

 

  1. When All God's Children Mississippi Mass Choir 5:32

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I’m not quite sure what the background on this big hug at the Trevi Fountain in Rome was.  I think the two choir members had had a spat and were making up.

What A Time

This song is a take off on the “When all God’s Children” get to heaven theme.  Simply titled “What A Time” the song is full of contemporary energy.  From the baroque sounding piano prelude, punctuated by a great popping bass jumping in now and again, to the choir’s big sound and the great drumming that joins in, the song is a clear “keeper”. The late Rev. Timothy Wright brought us all some wonderful music, and earned the title “Godfather of Gospel Music”.

 

 

  1. What A Time Rev. Timothy Wright 2:59

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For Every Mountain

As promised yesterday, here is Kurt Carr’s other huge classic hit song, “For Every Mountain”.  A female soloist knows they have “it” when they can master this song…and I have had the pleasure to know a few in the Boston area who can really SANG this song.  The song is SOOOO powerful!! Enjoy.

 

  1. For Every Mountain Kurt Carr And The Kurt Carr Singers 7:24

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In The Sanctuary

Just when I fear I may be running low on great songs to post, I find I’ve overlooked yet another classic.  I think I have a long way to go before I exhaust the supply of great gospel songs to share with you all.

This truly is a classic…and for good reason. It’s immensely singable and the ending, if you have never heard it, will REALLY grab you. I love this song. Kurt Carr really is a master at creating these kinds of easily singable praise and worship type songs.  Actually he’s a master, period. His song “For Every Mountain” is one of the very best evah! (And, as I looked for the song to link to just now, I see I haven’t posted that song either.  Tomorrow!!!)

 

  1. In The Sanctuary Kurt Carr And The Kurt Carr Singers 6:11

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What He’s Done For Me

Here is another classic from the Southeast Inspirational Choir from Fort Worth Texas.  The choir, founded by the late Shirley Joiner, launched several gospel artists on their careers the most notable being Yolanda Adams who sang lead on the choir’s smash hit, “My Liberty“.

 

  1. What He's Done For Me Southeast Inspirational Choir 3:47

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I Believe

“I know I’ll get my help
From the power in the sky”

This great song deftly skirts the edges of gospel with lyrics as that shown above.  Not hard core religion, just a great message.

This phenomonal 40 member, 10 piece band group known as Sounds of Blackness first arrived on the scene in 1969 in Minnesota, but it wasn’t until 1971 that the group was solidified. Sounds of Blackness was the first real musical group to combine traditional African music with modern day American music, such as R&B and Gospel. In 1994, they came out with the album “Africa to America: The Journey of the Drum”, one of its most successful albums to date. With now-famed singer Ann Nesby-Lee singing the solo to this song, this hip-hop/inspirational song is sure to keep you tapping your feet to the beat.

 

  1. I Believe Sounds of Blackness 4:40

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Stand By Me

What does it take to make a great gospel song.  At the minimum:

Great song: “Stand By Me”.
Great Composer: Thomas A. Dorsey, “The Father of Gospel Music”.
Classic Lyrics: “When the storms of life are raging, stand by me…”
Great singer/soloist: R.H. Harris (Predecessor to Sam Cooke in The Soul Stirrers).
Great accompaniment: Just a wonderful Hammond B3 organ.

VOILA!!  What more do you need? Instant winner.   Enjoy.

 

  1. Stand By Me R. H. Harris & The Masonic Quintet 5:04

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Soul as Blues as Gospel as Blues as Soul

As I was driving yesterday, Aretha Franklin’s version of “Drown In My Own Tears” came on, and I was amazed about how very, very closely the song sounded for all the world just like a gospel song.  Same great female lead solo, fantastic backup vocals from the choir, chords that are pure gospel, or just one note off, and a killer vamp at the end.  As I listened again this morning, I recalled Beverly Crawford’s version of “(You Must Be) Born Again”, and knew it was just the gospel twin of Aretha’s song. And then I thought of Cream’s song, “Sitting On Top Of The World” and one see’s exactly where Soul, R&B and Gospel intersect with Rock music, so I’m throwing that in too for good measure.

This is a wonderful, simple lesson on the influence of black American blues, gospel, and soul music on the world

  1. Drown In My Own Tears Aretha Franklin 4:05

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  1. Born Again Beverly Crawford 11:14

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  1. Sitting On Top Of The World Cream 4:58

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