The Rich History of Gospel Music
The Prayze Report has a great article on the legendary Dr. Mattie Moss Clark and the history of Gospel music. Dr. Mattie Moss Clark is familiar to me because she is the mother of The Clark Sisters. When I was growing up everyone was trying to sing like The Clark Sisters. Dr. Clark is credited with creating 3-part harmony in Gospel choirs, which is still a big part of the Gospel choir sound today.
If you are interested in the history of Gospel music, Johnzoe777 and Rowoches has posted some great videos on youtube. You can view classics from gospel artists such as Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, The Clara Ward Singers, Gertrude Ward Singers, The Barrett Sisters, Mahalia Jackson, Dorothy Love Coates, The Roberta Martin Singers, and many more. The legacy of Gospel music is such a rich one! There really is something for everyone, whether you like to listen to traditional or contemporary.
New Gospel Christmas Music
On October 14th Coko, of SWV, will release "A COKO CHRISTMAS". The album will rediscover some of the SWV-inked Christmas tunes “Oh Holy Night,” “This Christmas,” and “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire), while also enjoying holiday inspired songs “Holy” and “Grateful,” from her solo debut album. Special features include George Huff, who appeared with Coko on “Give Love On Christmas Day” and also a guest appearance from Coko’s mother, Lady Tibba and son Jalen on “Silent Night”.
I always look forward to the holidays because I love pulling out my Gospel Christmas Music and purchasing new CD’s. Coko’s new album will be a great addition to my collection of favorites, which includes Kirk Franklin and the Family Christmas, Christmas with Yolanda Adams, and Ben Tankard’s Christmas Love.
What Gospel Christmas Songs do you look forward to spinning this holiday season? The first two commenters will receive a copy of "Happy Holidays" from Vickie Winans!
Visit Gospel Christmas Music to vote for your favorite album. If you don’t see your favorites listed, be sure to add it to the list.
Sunday Gospel!-Niyoki-Joy
Joy
In the morning when I rise I lift my voice to you
I look to you Lord I lift my eyes
I give my day to you
Lord I thank you for who you are and all you’ve done for me
And you make me more than happy
What I have is everlasting
Chorus
*You give me*
Joy, joy, joy unspeakable
Joy, joy, joy down in my soul
Some people don’t understand this new life change in me
They remember the former times and the girl I used to be
But who the Son sets free is oh so free indeed
And it makes me more than happy
What I have is everlasting
You are the reason I have everything to live to for
And my heart is open, ready to receive so much more
And it makes me more than happy
What I have is everlasting
Joy unspeakable, full of glory, remarkable
Lord I thank you for my life, it’s so incredible
And I want you to know that it’s critical
Jesus is the best thing, He makes my heart sing
Singer Mary Alessi Launches Praynation Movement
Stellar Award nominated Christian recording artist Mary Alessi (known for songs such as "More" and "I Surrender All") is at the forefront of a new international grassroots cause, Praynation, to ignite "people of faith" globally to watch her new music video "Pray", then to pray for the issues facing society and then forward the video to others. Alessi feels this is imperative as the nation’s future depends on the moral compass the next president will point us towards, so she’s asking Christians everywhere to pray and choose political candidates who uphold Biblical principles.
"Our goal is to get 10 million people praying," says Alessi, co-pastor of Metro Life Church in Miami, FL. "All we want is for them to agree to pray! The song ‘Pray’ was written out of inspiration from a tragedy here 4 years ago when one 13-year-old boy stabbed and murdered another 13-year-old boy [Jaime Rodrigo Gough] in the bathroom before school. The middle school is in my neighborhood and it was a shock to all us who live there.
"As I watched the events unfold that morning, my own children had just left the house. At that moment this song dropped into my heart. The video re-enacts that morning but takes it further to today’s issues. We believe God is behind this idea that if His people pray He will heal our land! That’s our desire. To unite a divided world to look to their God, and call on Him for help. This is not a political statement in any way. It is spiritual."
Alessi is encouraging church leaders across the nation to tell their congregations to log online at www.myspace.com/PrayNation or YouTube and to watch the video. Then, she asks them to take 60 seconds to pray the Biblical scripture of 2 Chronicles 7:14, which speaks of prayer as a panacea to heal the world. "We need to make sure we cover those we care for with prayer," says Alessi. "Our children, our soldiers, everyone needs prayer and prayer changes things."
