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Gospel Music Reviews and Commentary

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GOSPEL STANDOUT GREG O'QUIN & iPRAIZE RETURNS TO RELEASE ANTICIPATED NEW CD 

June 19, 2009 (New York, NY)....Eight years ago, gospel artist Greg O'Quin made a solid impression on the gospel music scene with his heartfelt smash single, “I Told The Storm.” On June 30th, he is poised to musically and spiritually touch listeners once again with his new CD on Pendulum Records, AFTER THE STORM.

A labor of love for the Dallas native, AFTER THE STORM is an impressive offering of 15 distinct musical creations, ably performed by O'Quin's new vocal collective, iPraize. Exploring various styles, it is replete with messages of appreciation, praise, breakthrough and joy, paving the way for the 2009 listener's brand new day.

AFTER THE STORM's first single, “Lead Me Jesus,” has performed impressively on the gospel charts since its release in March, climbing steadily each week. The single is accompanied by a colorful new video, which was shot entirely in O'Quin's hometown of Dallas. The video highlights the contrast between Old School and New School praise, as the song's “old-school gospel” sound resonates throughout the scenes.

The new CD contains tracks such as “Survivor,” which is a perfect sequel to the earlier classic hit “I Told The Storm,” as it features some lyrics from it and is sung by the classic song's original vocalist, P. Jacobs. “Breakthru,” another powerhouse song, paints the picture of a person's journey from struggle to triumph.

“iAppreciate” is a hope-filled track, co-written by O'Quin and Pendulum Records' CEO and founder, industry veteran Ruben Rodriguez. The song's soloist, DonnaLiza Ware, experienced a real-life storm, having lived through the Hurricane Katrina disaster; though she lost her home and possessions, she nonetheless lifts her voice in stunning praise to say “I appreciate you God.”

Other highlights are “Pray,” with its bouncing reggae beat, “Let It Rain,” with its touch of smooth hip-hop, and O'Quin's unique gospel take on Dionne Warwick's campy hit, “Say A Little Prayer.”

Pastor and founder of The Church Without Walls International in Dallas, Greg O'Quin “is an exceptional artist/musician/producer and man of God,” states Rodriguez. Having entered the gospel arena in 2007 with the release of Pendulum Records artist Regina Belle's acclaimed gospel debut, Rodriquez was drawn to O'Quin's genuine, inspirational music.

June 1st ushered in the annual hurricane season. And the economic downturn has created a firestorm of difficulties for many. Storms come in various configurations, but one thing is for sure – the strong can weather them, and come out even stronger on the other side, as Greg O'Quin & iPraize's AFTER THE STORM beautifully chronicles.

Below is a link to 7 outstanding songs from the upcoming CD, for you to listen to. 

http://www.pendulumrecords.biz/AfterTheStormSampler.htm

www.pendulumrecords.biz

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION/INTERVIEWS/PHOTOS/MUSIC:

Mary Moore/So Much Moore Communications

(973) 675-6992

MryLinda@aol.com

 

GLEN DAVID ANDREWS

GLEN DAVID ANDREWS hopped down from an outdoor stage at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in May, leaving his trombone behind. He sang in a powerful raspy voice, inflected with just a hint of Louis Armstrong. Segueing from one song to another - the controversial 1920s classic “Black and Blue” to the more recent brass-band tune “Cell Block Nine,” for example - he sprinkled each with improvised lyrics. “It's my time,” he shouted between numbers.

Andrews, 28, has a lanky 6-foot-4-inch body and a mercurial personality. The brass-band music and traditional jazz he was raised on are still his greatest loves. “The musicians that played in my neighborhood, they brought me out of the womb,” he says, not by way of metaphor. According to his mother, Vana Acker, when she was pregnant, Anthony “Tuba Fats” Lacen, a traditional-music icon and mentor to many musicians, came by and blew his horn outside the house. He said the sound of the tuba would induce labor. Glen David was born the next day.

As a young boy, whenever a second-line parade passed by, Andrews tagged along with his older brother, Derrick Tabb, who is now the snare drummer with the Rebirth Brass Band. Back then, Andrews played bass drum. At 12, he picked up the trombone. Rather than studying formally, he absorbed musical skills from neighbors such as “Frogman” Joseph, Harry Nance, Harold DeJean and other local heroes -  “the cream of the crop,” Andrews says. Soon he was playing for money alongside Tuba Fats in Jackson Square, in the middle of the French Quarter.

He was recruited into a brass band led by his younger cousin, Troy Andrews, and has since played in both the New Birth and Tremé brass bands, among others, lending equal measures of musicianship and showmanship to each. Occasionally he still lights up the Jackson Square scene.

“Aside from being a great musician, Glen David has absorbed a fading tradition,” says Ben Jaffe, who runs Preservation Hall, where Andrews used to play regularly on Sunday nights. “He's a link for his generation to something important. But he also has a rare enthusiasm and energy that makes it all special and exciting for even casual listeners.” Though most contemporary brass-band musicians have embraced the more funk and pop-oriented sound of say, the Rebirth band, a shift that began some 30 years ago, Andrews sticks mostly to the old hymns, spirituals and trad-jazz tunes. He has just released a live gospel CD, “Walking Through Heaven’s Gate”, on Threadhead Records, that is probably the first CD to have captured on record the entrancing quality of Andrews' performances at venues like Preservation Hall, Tipitina’s, The Blue Nile, the Mid-City Lanes Rock 'n' Bowl or, most powerfully of all, on the streets.

He's appeared in two documentaries performing I’ll Fly Away, (a fiery version also appears on the new live gospel CD) each time evoking a different meaning. He appears in the documentary Shake the Devil Off, Swiss filmmaker Peter Entell's chronicle of the controversial, post-Katrina proposed closing of St. Augustine Church, which was founded in Tremé in 1841 by slaves and free people of color. Near that film's climax, after footage of Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson riling up protesters, the camera closes in on Andrews, who raises his trombone and plays the traditional hymn. The song seems offered as a call-to-arms, rather than a memorial. And at the very end of Spike Lee's When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts, Andrews holds his horn at his side and sings the hymn, just as he did on the night of his arrest. But on the final verse, instead of singing “I'll fly away,” he sings “New Orleans will never go away.” This was no improvisation; it was Lee's idea. And when Lee was syncing music to film, he thought that last line got buried in the mix. He brought Andrews in for a voiceover.

“I want everyone to hear that,” Lee said.

“Like a declaration?” Andrews asked. 

“Yeah,” Lee said, “a declaration.”

 glendavidandrewsband.com

myspace.com/glendavidandrewsband

 

Shirley Caesar

“After 40 Years…Still Sweeping Through The City”

Shu Bel Records/Light Records

      

Shirley Caesar returns to the music landscape with her best CD in a decade! “After 40 Years…Still Sweeping Through The City” is a gallery of musical artistry that showcases a handful of the priceless treasures which helped solidify Caesar’s standing as the undisputed First Lady of Gospel Music. Recorded live the Mount Calvary Word of Faith Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, from “Sweeping Through The City” which she first sang lead as a member of the legendary Caravans in the 60s to “Hold My Mule” (which stayed #1 on the Billboard charts for 52 weeks), this project displays Caesar’s consistent and timeless anointing and the sheer impact of her musical pedigree.

Classics that Pastor Caesar revisits include “Jesus, I Love Calling Your Name”; a foot-stomping, hand-clapping, old style-Church medley of “Peter, Don’t Be Afraid/ Nobody But You Lord/ Teach Me Master,” and a powerful presentation of “Choose Ye This Day” which has a message for America that is as poignant today as it was when she first recorded it.  

Not only is Shirley Caesar “Still Sweeping Through The City” after 40 years, she is doing so with the same dynamo and intentionality of ministry that we love. For fans of Pastor Caesar or traditional Gospel music, this project is a must have.

Thanks for your support and for signing the Guestbook. I have tons of products to give away. Leave a comment and you can be one of ten guests who receive free CDs or DVDs.

 

  • Sunny Hawkins

  • “More Of You"

  • Stillwaters, a division of Hidden Beach Recordings

  • Reviewed by Moses T. Alexander Greene

GreeneRoom Note: I first came to know of Sunny Hawkins when her mother-in-law, legendary gospel music belter Tramaine Hawkins, introduced her at the live recording of her CD, I Never Lost My Praise. Jamie Hawkins, Walter and Tramaine’s son and Sunny’s husband, was also introduced as a songwriter of “Excellent Lord." 

Because of the attacks on marriages within the body of Christ—as evidenced by stories of well known ministers which recently made the news and also of persons we each know and love in our lives—I find myself praying for marriages often; especially of those who are in this industry and under 40.  As such, one morning in particular Sunny and Jamie came to my spirit and I began praying for them. That afternoon I returned home to find an unsolicited copy of, at the time, Sunny’s upcoming project. I had no idea she had a project or was a solo artist in her own right. The moment was God’s not mine. I immediately called the representative, told them that I believed Jehovah was a God of synchronicity, and knew I was to review the project for In The GreeneRoom. 

Somehow, in the project being held up for months and interviews with Sunny being cancelled because of changes in management, I didn’t move forward. For this I apologize to you. Recently, Stillwaters sent the project to the owner of BlackMeninAmerica.com and thus, the project has come to my life’s palette again. After you read my review, you’ll see why I felt the need to apologize to each of you).

If you enjoy the flavor of the artists that record label HiddenBeach signs (Jill Scott, and Kindred to name a few) then verily, verily, surely, surely I say unto you that you will find a deep-seated appreciation for the music styling of Sunny Hawkins, who debuted on Stillwaters, a division of Hidden Beach. 

HiddenBeach and now Stillwaters have a knack for choosing artists in whom the listener can hear the very soul and experiences of the artist. Each artist has a story that brazenly becomes apparent in their words (Dr. Cornel West), composition (Tribal Jazz) and music. On Sunny Hawkins’ “More of You”, you get her soul and experience but it’s in direct relationship to the impact of Jesus Christ in her life. And just because her love for Jesus Christ is added into the musical equation doesn’t mean that artistically the music is contrived or any less authentic. In fact, the opposite happens; the project is so infused with Hawkins’ connectedness to who Jesus Christ has been to her and this makes her ministry easy because it is real. You don’t even realize you’re being ministered to because it’s so nice-and-easy.

    
Click On Photos To Enlarge

On the guitar intense, funky title cut “More of You,” the hook alone “Show me more—more more more more more more of You/ I’m craving You / Show me more—more more more more more more of You” had me. For all you runway fashion show producers, this track will prove great for you to add to your show or as a warm up in rehearsal”. Another CCM styled song is What A Man. 

As a 70s kid (73 Baby!) and a lover of most things from the 70s Where Would I Be immediately became a favorite of mine. The track starts out with that same muted scratchiness that greeted you every time you put a 45 or 78 on the turntable back in the day. It’s like the song goes from black-and-white to full color. It’s soulful and Christian and easy. The delivery and harmonies of the background vocals are that Musiq kind of lazy. I could have it on repeat from D.C. to North Carolina.

Text Box:  

It’s Like Air—a beautifully composed song with a simple message: “(It’s like air) I need Your love/ (I can’t breathe) Without Your touch / (It’s like air) I need You every hour / (Your love) I need it now. Other nice and easy grooves include Jesus The Same and You’re Everything.   If American Band Stand was still on Love Me Too could have easily have been this generation’s I Want To Thank You (Alicia Meyers) or You Brought The Sunshine (The Clark Sisters) in that before you realize it you’re hand dancing to gospel. 

The summer’s just about over so I can’t recommend it for family reunions who want to play gospel to appeal to all generations. However, when the music ministries of Pastor Shirley Caesar, The Caravans or the Mississippi Mass Choir are too heavy and Tye or Juda Camp will be too amped, you can play Sunny Hawkins’ More of You. On the days when you want to take it “nice and easy” but still listen to music that edifies your spirit, this is the project for you!

Click On Photo To Enlarge

So what do you think?  If you would like to respond to this article click here and sign our Guestbook to leave a public or private statement, comment or reaction. 

“Darlene McCoy”
EMI Gospel
Reviewed by Contributing Writer, Jason Minor

Darlene McCoy, a new urban inspirational artist on the EMI Gospel label, gives listeners a nice blending of contemporary praise and worship. The anointed singer-songwriter’s self-titled debut album has been described as “refreshing”, “encouraging” and “timely” and includes music production by super producers Dallas Austin, Fred Jerkins, Tommy Sims, PAJAM and Antonio Neal. With all of that power behind her and a gift that truly is Heaven-sent (versus man made), Darlene McCoy does not disappoint.

The album starts off with an “ear catcher” in I Believe , an urban-flavored song which definitely should be a hit single for the artist. In this and other songs on the project, she gives examples of how God has played a part in her life. It reminds the listener to be encouraged in all of life. Fallen In Love exemplifies her true love for God which can be felt in her melodic voice. She sings about how pure and untainted God’s love is and how amazing it is that the One who created everything we know is reachable by our true love. This leads right to the next track, Be With You. This track is about the joy of being with the Lord eternally and the feeling of knowing you have a true relationship. Be With You is just to put a smile on your face and a feeling love over your heart.

While the album focuses on praise and worship, it was interesting to hear an interlude that concentrated on sisters and their empowerment in the world. In a time where women are put down and degraded in songs on a daily basis, it’s nice to hear encouraging words for the sisters of today.

Amazing is definitely a song I could throw on at a family cookout! It’s one of those “get up and dance” type of tracks. I found my head nodding and feet tapping throughout the song. Even grandma can grove to this one. She sends up words of thanks and praise in I Adore You. God really shows up in the song and you can’t help but worship by the time you get to its end. There is nothing wrong with eating a little carpet on this one. As long as you’re praising God I don’t think anyone will mind. 

I don’t know about anyone else, but I can’t help but think of Alicia Meyers when I hear the 80s party classic, I Wanna Thank You; but God is still glorified on Darlene’s version. I’m telling you, kick, turn and push—this is a gospel skate song for sure!

U-N-I-T-Y is a great ending to the album. This is the song at the end of a concert that you wish would never end but like they say always leave them wanting more and I cant wait to hear more from Darlene McCoy.  

While listening to the CD I found myself just sitting and reflecting on what my life was like before I had a relationship with God and how blessed I am now. Her music is an encouragement for listeners to build even stronger relationships with God and her style transcends all ages and backgrounds.  

http://www.darlenemccoy.com/

http://www.myspace.com/darlenemccoy

HUNT’S HUNCH with Veronica Hunt

Bishop Paul S. Morton
“Still Standing”

Bishop Paul S. Morton’s latest CD entitled Still Standing chronicles the journey of a people who endured an overwhelming, unimaginable and hopeless situation and yet emerged triumphantly with praise on their lips.  Two years ago, Hurricane Katrina destroyed lives, families, businesses and churches in the city of New Orleans, including Bishop Morton’s church Greater St. Stephen.    Many, to this day, still have not completely recovered from that disaster.  Still Standing demonstrates God’s supernatural power of healing and restoration.  The songs that Bishop Paul S. Morton and Stellar Award-winning songwriter/producer/artist Kurt Carr have produced on this project bring encouragement and hope to anyone who may be facing a storm or enduring the perils of life that come to make us stronger.  

There is so much to say about the first single, I’m Still Standing. It is a song of victory and recovery; a demonstration of God’s ability to impart strength to the weak and deliverance from bondage; and evidence of faith & trust in God’s amazing power to heal and restore.  The track also samples the chorus of the church hymn, “Standing on the Promises,” giving the listener a little old school/new skool mix. I’m Still Standing is an anthem for those who have taken some pretty hard knock downs in life and having done all to stand, are yet still standing.

Not Me Lord, You   Initially, I thought that this personal testimony by Bishop Morton was a little out of place on this CD, but after listening to the entire CD, I realized that its placement is perfect to the overall flow of the project.  On the track we hear Bishop Morton asking God for humility so that people would see God in this project and not himself.  His intention comes across as the listener clearly will know that this song is about serving and glorifying God. The lead vocals during the vamp are reminiscent of Eddie Levert of the O’Jays back in the day.  

The Cross and the Blood Medley / Tribute to Thomas Whitfield” (featuring Gwendolyn Morton).  Simply soul stirring!  With the excellent songwriting skills of the Maestro Thomas Whitfield and the composing acumen of award-winning arranger/producer Kurt Carr, this medley will surely bring many to the altar. The background vocals are beyond outstanding on this track.   

The next medley combines two familiar worship songs heard across America, Agnus Dei by songwriter/worship leader Michael W. Smith and Bow Down (by David Baroni / Tony Sutherland). These songs are a great place to stop and give honor to God and the perfect set up for  “Holy One” which features Tramaine Hawkins). This powerful rendition of the 80’s release written by Walter Hawkins and sung by Tramaine will surely cause a shout to break out.  CAUTION: Do not drive while listening to this one! You may have to pull over to the curb, get out of your car and like “Shoutin’ John” find somebody to “hold your mule!”  Once again, excellent background vocals on this one.  The sopranos took it to the rafters!  

“If It Wasn’t For Your Grace” (featuring Bishop James Morton).  This is a song of God’s amazing grace and mercy and how it brings us through our difficult times.  It takes us back to our gospel roots again, with a sample of the old hymn “Amazing Grace” intertwined.  Go sopranos!  As an alto, I’m simply amazed by their ability to reach such notes.

“Be Blessed” (featuring Kurt Carr) is a song of encouragement, life and dependence on God.  It says that God will bless us when we bless each other.  We bless one another when we pray for each other and speak life to each other.  We must always stand in unity with our fellow sisters and brothers in the hope for a better and brighter future. 

Kurt Carr is truly an anointed musician, songwriter and minister.  Through his amazing gifts, he ministers to all people who have experienced utter destruction and unbearable pain.  The songs of praise and thanksgiving he has produced for Still Standing bring comfort to the listener.  His skill as a composer/arranger causes the trained musician’s ear to disregard a few of the vocal flaws heard on a few of the lead vocals because the overall presentation of ministry is powerful. And the background vocalists chosen for this project are so awesome that that they cause you to want to be one of them. (I desire to be a “Kurt Carr Singer” one day!) 

LISTENING/VIEWEING PARTY

During a recent listening party, 10 out of 10 listeners said they would definitely buy this CD/DVD.  On a scale of 1-5 (1 being the “Worst”, 5 being the “Best”) 7 of 10 persons rated the CD/DVD combo a 4.  You Restored Me, a song that deftly paints a picture of restoration, hope for tomorrow, new beginnings and God’s saving grace and mercy, was the favorite track for 5 of the 10 listeners.  

One listener indicated that there were no favorite cuts because they all were “good” (I agree with this listener, all of the songs on this CD are my favorites for various reasons).  Six of the ten listeners had only positive comments about the CD/DVD.  One listener thought the DVD performance looked “too staged and rehearsed”.  Another did not care for the dancing on “We Made It”. (This is a song that begins with a more traditional gospel choir flavor.   It includes words of encouragement like  hold on, keep the faith, and trust in the Lord.  This one has an old school mix with a sample of the old hymn “Leaning” and endswith a “Zydeco” praise party.  You definitely need to have experienced the culture of New Orleans to appreciate “Zydeco” and to understand this type of praise party.  As evidenced by the excessive perspiration of the singers it was definitely hot up in there!)

My overall Hunt’s Hunch: This CD/DVD will be a classic and is definitely a “must buy.” 

So what do you think?  If you would like to respond to this article click here and sign our Guestbook to leave a public or private statement, comment or reaction. 

 

  • Maurette Brown Clark

  • THE DREAM

  • AIR Gospel

  • Reviewed by Moses T. Alexander Greene 

Maurette Brown Clark is the most underrated female vocalist in gospel music; but not for much longer. Brown Clark recently returned to the musical tapestry with The Dream which is “a dream” CD.  

The first single from the project, One God, is a 21st Century proclamation of who Jehovah God is. The horns, strings, trumpets, guitars, trombones and saxophones combined with Maurette’s lead and the out-of-this-world background vocals all rise together to momentously pronounce that there is only one God. The track is written by Darien Dennis who was featured In The GreeneRoom last month. Has God Done Anything For You? is one for the rockers. The voltage of this already hi-energy head banger is amped beyond what you thought possible by Maurette’s lead vocals and the background vocal arrangement. I’ll Praise Him has been my new favorite groove for about a month. The mid-tempo song has a funky bass line, especially in the vamp and drive, and a message with determination.  “My mind is focused, hands are lifted/My heart is singing, mouth bringing forth Your praise/I’ll praise Him/I’ll praise Him.” 

Brown Clark approaches the lyrics of I Have Decided To Follow Jesus and My Heart Has Been Restored as an artist who is growing into—without apologies—the largeness of her gifting, talents, and ministry.  With I Have Decided To Follow Jesus, the songstress captures and holds each phrase, each lyric in her vocal possession until she has caressed it with enough meaning, understanding and conviction that we know that “she is not turning back”. Then she releases the lyric to us. Her raspy adlibs just strengthen her resolve and the listener’s heart because they are so grounded in her personal convictions. On My Heart Has Been Restored (written by Stellar Award winning songwriter/artist Jonathan Nelson) she gives those who have gone through a storm an anthem of renewal and faith. The song takes the listener from Maurette’s personal place of introspection to personal affirmation. Perfect.  

The title track The Dream unveils Maurette’s “whole purpose” as God revealed it to her in a dream. The song will encourage those listeners who are still struggling with understanding their purpose as Maurette shares how God confirmed His plan for her life.  Other notable tracks include Sovereign God and its Reprise, Lord We Praise Your Name (written by Richard Smallwood and led by Maurette’s brother Maurice) and It Ain’t Over.   You can visit Maurette's official web site at:  http://www.maurettebrownclark.com.

So what do you think?  If you would like to respond to this article click here and sign our Guestbook to leave a public or private statement, comment or reaction. 

 


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