I am in Montana and I can't get BET without a dish. So tell me what is happening on the gospel music scene. Can you recommend any good CD's that I can order. Also do you think Gospel music is changing? Such as Kirk Franklin etc. I would love to hear what you think? Who is your favorite contemporary Gospel Artist?

-- Anonymous, May 22, 2001

Answers

Pastor Denise.

Yolanda Adams live in DC...it is a great CD. I don't watch BET, too much foolishness on it.

-- Anonymous, May 22, 2001

The Gospel Music scene has become so prolific and laden with talent that it's really hard to keep up. There was a time I could tell you what the hot labels, groups, artists, and sounds were, but no more. There is diversity in the music, from the highly classical influences expressed by Richard Smallwood to tropical flavors touched by Donnie McClurkin to stalwart strong voices such as Kim Burrell, Yolanda Adams, and anybody named Winans, to the range of groups that includes the Tommies, Tri-City, the Kurt Carr Singers, to yes, even Kirk Franklin.

My personal contact at this level was with the late Rev. Donald Vails, in whose workshops I served and learned several times, and whom I had the pleasure of hosting in 1982/3. Rev. Vails was particularly good at teaching, but also at explaining the history of the music, and his notes are at the foundation of seminars that I give today.

My current favorite from a consistency perspective is probably Richard Smallwood. Because of my lifelong love of the fugal form, I am exploring ways of synthesizing the precise structures of classical polyphony with the polyrhythmic expressions normally associated with music of African origin. Richard Smallwood has had some success in the area, and I find it encouraging.

I find that as I grow older the anthems of old are beginning to outweigh the gospels of yesterday and today in my hearing. This past Sunday, while waiting for our afternoon service, I played a medley of anthems just for the fun of it: Hallelujah (from Christ on the Mount of Olives), Gloria, Let Mt. Zion Rejoice, The King of Love My Shepherd Is, Now Let Every Tongue Adore Thee, Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones... and then it was time to start service. :-)

Since your question was about current product, let me share a few brief thoughts.

• Richard Smallwood - I have the "Healing - Live in Detroit" CD at my office for relief and encouragement. It's slightly dated, having been released in 1999, and he probably has a new project on the shelves soon, but I still find it inspiring and enjoyable.
• Kurt Carr Singers - When I first heard them, I thought it was Smallwood's group, Vision. This should indicate the root of the influence. Their selection "For Every Mountain" is so moving.
• WOW Gospel 2001 - I have ben buying this series of compilations since (I think 1998), but this one seems to be the weakest so far. I need to give it a fair, undisturbed listening, but as part of choir preparation I sometimes need to move through a CD quickly, and this was the case here.
• Donnie McClurkin - the "Live in London" project captures a lot of energy, and has excellent worship music on it. I have joined Sis. Jackie Copeland of Oasis Ministries in San Antonio in a couple of services where she used a number of the selections on this album. My favorite here is the Victory Chant ("Hail Jesus you're my King...").
• CeCe Winans - her "Alabaster Box" is very mellow.
• TD Jakes - the prolific bishop of Dallas's Potter's House also has a disk with some very listenable praise music.
• Hezekiah Walker(?) - My wife wants this CD, which contains "We Give You Praise in the Sacntuary". Of course, I may have the wrong artist. Correction is welcome. :-)

  Every generation has its musical forms that garner the expressions of culture encompassing that era. For the new millenium, Kirk Franklin may have been the harbinger of the bridge between today's "devil music" - urban contemporary - and the church. (For a more elaborate discussion on "devil music", see Bro. Robert Matthews' most excellent post). What I, and perhaps others like me, hope to do is make sure that the musical diet is balanced. It is with this hope that I embrace Mr. Franklin, even as my children hear and incorporate anthems, hymns, spirituals, and "Classic" gospel (quartets, Roberta Martin, Clara Ward, Gospel Choruses, GMWA)into their listening.

  In all of our music, let's stick to the three "E"'s: let God be Exalted, let believers be Edified, and let non-believers be Exhorted.
  
  -- Anonymous, May 22, 2001

Dear Rev. Rogers,

My favorite gospel choir is the BROOKLYN TABERNACLE CHOIR. I play their CD's on my computer just about every morning. This choir is an interracial choir with some members who have been delivered from substance abuse. Most of their songs have a strong scriptural background and are filled with praise for God. The first time I heard one of their albums was in 1982. I sincerely believe that this choir sings with the power of the Holy Spirit.

JazzMan

-- Anonymous, May 23, 2001

Jazz Man, I too love that Choir. They are annointed. There is a young man by the name of Rodney Posey. He has praise and worship songs on his CD. I'm blessed by the words and the praise.

I seem to be here lately, into praise and worship music.

Now Oletta Adams, has a Gospel CD that is probably 2 or 3 years old that is very nice. She is a Minister of Music at her church. Most of the songs on the CD she has written. And she got a wonderful touch on the piano.

In Christ, Carmen

-- Anonymous, May 23, 2001

Our own Rev. Gabriel Hardeman has a new CD out with his group The Hardeman Delegation. It is entitled "To the Chief Musician. You can order it at CDNOW or AMAZON or christianbooks.com . It is an excellent work.

-- Anonymous, May 23, 2001

Thank you everyone for the wonderful suggestions. Actually as I am reading the post I am singing "Oh Happy Day!" Last week in church I sang "The Potter's House" by Tramaine Hawkins who is one of my all time favorites and also used the lyrics as a responsive reading. I love my Hawkins family. I think an aricle about gospel music would be great for AME-Today. How about you guys. I hope you all know how much I love you for you are my biological family for we are all part of God's family.

-- Anonymous, May 23, 2001

This is indeed an interesting thread. Can anyone explain why yours truly :-) has been omitted in discussions about gospel music ifluence? Must I submit a wave file to the AME Today community as evidence about my "claim" as a gospel music impresario????QED

-- Anonymous, May 23, 2001

Actually Bill I was waiting for Jerryl Payne to mention you, but I guess he got busy. And yes we would love to hear a file from you. Email Pastor John and let's do. There is so much talent in the AME church I just know you are one of our shining stars.

-- Anonymous, May 23, 2001

The Allen University Concert Choir (an AME University) has a wonderful CD titled "Jesus Lifted Me." I had the pleasure of hearing the choir in concert in Philadelphia the beginning of this month.

God Bless.

-- Anonymous, May 23, 2001

Being a lover of jazz, Kim Burrell is one of my favorites. The girl has skillz!

-- Anonymous, May 26, 2001

Well, after hearing about all these great performers I am ready for an AME gospel festival. When I was a United Methodist minister at a Black UM church we would have the "Battle of the Choirs" It took place in the afternoon and would go all night. Talk about being "slayed in the spirit" Wow I would be jumping up and down. It would begin with the choirs marching in, the intricate dance steps, the robes, do we have something like that in the AME church? Or a gospel festival that our church puts on?

-- Anonymous, May 26, 2001