Fab Five!!-Five From The Top Five
I love to see great gospel music CD’s on the Billboard Charts! Gospel music is such a powerful medium. The lively beats, energy, and encouraging lyrics uplift our souls. It is rich in history and still relevant to us today. It’s our comfort when things are not going so great in our lives, and it’s the music that we choose to praise and worship God. Listed below are the top five gospel albums for this week:
1. Bishop Noel Jones-Welcome to the City
2. Wow #1’s
3. The Clark Sisters-Live: One Last Time
4. Wow Gospel 2007
5. J. Moss-V2… The J Moss Project
Visit All About Gospel Music!! for great videos on the Fab Five. Don’t forget to bookmark because there are some great videos listed. Thanks for reading!! Bless someone with the good news that is always in great Gospel music!! Don’t forget to sign up for our feed and mailing list. We would love to hear what you think about this blog. E-mail me at dominique@1800gospel.com. I look forward to hearing from you!
Fab Five!!-The Legendary Clark Sisters
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The Clark Sisters–Jacky, Twinkie, Dorinda, Denise and Karen–are legendary in the gospel community for being the biggest-selling female group of all time and for the impact they’ve made on the contemporary gospel sound. Their unique sound has influenced countless artists and continues to make an impact even today.
Their mother, Dr. Mattie Moss Clark (a legend in her own right), molded them from an early age to glorify God with their vocal talents. The world has watched the growth of these loving sisters from their first album recorded in 1973 when they were teenagers, until the release of their highly anticipated album released April 2007.
I remember the impact their groundbreaking single, “You Bought The Sunshine” had on the gospel scene when it was released in 1981. It was played in churches everywhere–their unique sound had a big impact and many singers tried to emulate it. The “Clark Sound” with its jazzy feel and complicated vocal riffs and runs, had a great impact on my generation.
When you heard their songs you were in awe of the vocal talent, but you also felt the anointing of God that was on their lives through their God inspired lyrics. They were always beautifully dressed and the loving bond that they had with each other could be seen whenever they performed together. The Clark Sisters have always been ahead of their time and they continue to make an impact in the gospel community. I hope you enjoy my top 5 songs from the dynamic Clark Sisters…..
1. “Is My Living in Vain”-This is the title song from the Is My Living in Vain album. This album is a gospel classic that is a must-have for true gospel fans. I love all the songs on the album, but this song sums it all up. At one point or another, we all ask ourselves if our lives have made a difference. We wonder if all the praying, giving, working and taking care of our family is worth it. In this timeless song, the Clark Sisters answer in their amazing multi-part harmony: “No, no, no, no-no-no! / Of course not!/ It’s not all in vain/Up the road is eternal gain.”
2. “You Bought The Sunshine-”-This is probably one of the most recognizable of the Clark Sister’s songs because it was a hit on the secular charts as well as the gospel charts. It would go on to earn a gold album and receive a lot of criticism for being too “worldly.”
3. “Pure Gold”-Another hit from the amazing Is My Living in Vain album. Written by the master songwriter, Twinkie, this song touches the heart with its simple lyrics.
4. “Jesus is a Love Song”-This Clark classic is on Karen Clark Sheard’s first solo album, Finally Karen and is sung by all the sisters. It was written by Twinkie and the sisters soar with their perfect vocal harmony. The Clark sisters were born to sing and we are blessed because of it.
5. “Looking For A Miracle”- I find myself singing this song when I need major changes to happen in my life. It reminds me that with God things are possible if you believe. Sometimes this is hard if your faith is not where it should be. This song helps you activate your faith and stir up what God has put in you.
From the classic album, Is My Living in Vain, this song ministers on many, many levels. If the awesome lyrics are not enough, the mighty Clark Sisters take the song to the next level with vocals that touch the very soul.
I expect the impossible,
I feel the intangible,
I see the invisible.
The Sky is the limit,
To what I can have.
Just believe and receive it,
God will perform it today,
Hey, Hey
Just believe and receive it,
God will perform it today.
I expect a miracle every day,
God will make a way out of no way.
Thanks for reading!! Bless someone with the good news that is always in great Gospel music!! Don’t forget to sign up for our feed and mailing list. We would love to hear what you think about this blog. E-mail me at dominique@1800gospel.com. I look forward to hearing from you!
the clark sisters clark sisters mattie moss clark karen clark sheard twinkie clark dorinda clark cole is my living in vain you bought the sunshine
Fab Five!!-Going Through What You’re Going Through
Sometimes things just seem to be all out of sync. Whenever I feel that nothing is going right, gospel music is always that one thing that encourages me. The message in gospel music reminds you that things will get better if you just hold on. It presses you to keep going to see what the end will be, and it encourages you to look towards the hills where your help comes from.
Even though things are all upside down in my life right now, I can always listen to Praise 92.1 or pop in my favorite gospel CD and instantly my spirit is encouraged. While listening, I remind myself that things could be worse, I thank God for what I do have and I rejoice in the fact that God has me in the palm of His hand. I hope you enjoy my top 5 songs to listen to when I am going through.
1. Charles G. Hayes & The Warriors -“Jesus Can Work It Out”-This version is currently being played on gospel radio. There have been many artists that have covered this classic gospel song. I’ve heard it countless times in church and it gets the audience dancing in the aisles. I love the lyrics!! Simple, to the point and so very true. We try to work stuff out ourselves, and it ends up worse that what it was before. You might as well turn it over to Jesus, and stop worrying about it!
Just couldn’t seem to solve,
I tried and I tried,
Just got deeper involved.
So I turned it over to Jesus,
I stopped worrying about it,
I gave it over to the Lord, He worked it out.Chorus
That pain that would not move,
Had me praying in the upper room,
That burden that I bore,
Had me wondering how much more.
So I gave it over to Jesus,
I stopped worrying about it,
I gave it over to the Lord, He worked it out.
Chorus
That habit that I had,
I just couldn’t seem to break,
I prayed and I prayed,
Don’t let it be too late.
I gave it over to Jesus,
I stopped worrying about it,
I gave it over to the Lord, He worked it out.
2. Dorothy Norwood-“Shake The Devil Off”- Dorothy Norwood is a member of of the world famous Caravans and is known as “The World’s Greatest Storyteller”. During her 36 year career she has recorded 40 albums, five of which have been certified gold.
When my little ones and I heard this song, we had a good laugh on the part where she said,”Don’t let the devil ride, or he will want to drive.” This statement is so true. It gave me an opportunity to explain to them that you have to keep the devil under your feet or he will try to take over your life. In the name of Jesus, we are able to shake the devil off.
3. Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers-“Encourage Yourself”-Donald Lawrence has so many encouraging and uplifting songs. For some reason this is my first time hearing this song, but the lyrics are awesome. I love the part of the song that says, “As I minister to you, I minister to myself, life can hurt you so, ’til you feel there’s nothing left. No matter how you feel, speak the word and you will be healed.” Sometimes you do have to encourage yourself.
4. Yolanda Adams-“Through The Storm” & “This Too Shall Pass”-Yolanda Adams is one of my favorite gospel artists. She has a beautiful voice that is very soothing and she has a beautiful spirit to match. I listen to her on the morning show that she has on Praise 92.1 and she is a joy to listen to and she is very, very funny!
The Bible tells us that we will have trials in our lives. As Yolanda sings in “Through The Storm”, the trials seem to meet us when things are calm and going fine. The song goes on the say that God will hold us as the tides become high. We have to trust that God will see us through and that what we are going through will pass.
5. Donnie McClurken-“Stand”-Another one of my favorite artists. I love his presence when he sings and feel that he has a very distinctive voice. He sung this song, along with Marvin Winans, at Bishop G.E. Patterson’s funeral. This song just about sums it up. When you have done all you know how to do, all that is left to do is to just stand. Stand and let God see you through.
And those are my favorites for this week! It’s no fun when you are going through. But, the power that is in gospel music reminds us that with God we triumph every time. Things might seem bad to our eyes, but God and his angels are working everything out on our behalf. If you are going through, get a gospel music CD and watch God turn things around for your good.
Thanks for reading!! Bless someone with the good news that is always in great Gospel music!! Don’t forget to sign up for our feed and mailing list. We would love to hear what you think about this blog. E-mail me at dominique@1800gospel.com. I look forward to hearing from you!
yolanda adams donald lawrence dorothy norwood shake the devil off donnie mcclurken gospel music
Fab Five!!-All About The Kids
It is interesting how kids just naturally love music. They like upbeat, happy music. They don’t like slow melodies or listening to sad lyrics. They like music that makes them smile and dance and have a good time. My children, like me, have always heard gospel music playing. It is the first genre of music that they were exposed to.
I am so glad that they enjoy listening to it and that we can all enjoy it together as a family. I feel blessed to be able to pour into them the wonderful world of gospel music. As they grow older and they are outside of my direct influence, I have faith that they will always seek God. I feel strongly that Gospel Music is a big part of that. The top Fab Five! songs for this week, kiddie style are…………
1.“In The Sanctuary”-This song is on Kurt’s Carr’s “Awesome Wonder” CD. This lively praise and worship song is a favorite of my kids. My younger one likes to play and sing this song on his piano. He really likes the part at the end where the chorus comes in and out several times.
2.“Glory to Glory”-I think my kids will always have a special place in their hearts for Fred Hammond. We have the Spirit of David and Inner Court albums on cassette tape (!!) and we would play it on their kiddie cassette player over and over. “Glory to Glory” and “Shout Unto God” are still favorites today when they hear them.
3. “Friend of God”-A lot of songs by Israel and New Breed are favored by kids because of the hard hitting beats. Some that my kids like are “Friend of God”, “I Am Not Forgotten”, “Still Standing” and “You Are Good”.
4.“Set Me Free”-The kids love when this song comes on the radio! It is a favorite……they like to sing the part that says, “I don’t even know where my life would be…”. Whenever this song comes on, the radio goes up full blast. Myron Butler has a definite winner with this one.
5.“Victory”-Who can resist the energy that is Tye Tribbett?! Another song that gets the kiddies dancing around the house!!
** Honorable Mention-Martha Munizzi’s-Because of Who You Are” and Hillsong United’s-“Salvation is Here”-Favorites of Joshua’s class at Lakewood. He told me he really likes “Salvation is Here”. It is a favorite of mine, too.
And those are my favorites, kiddie style! Purchase some great lively gospel CD’s for the kids in your life or turn on your favorite gospel music station. Even if you have teenagers there is some wonderful gospel rap music available. Placing the Word of God in the hearts of children is an act that will pay off for generations to come. Once God’s word is placed in the heart it never leaves. It may seem that it does…….but it will always come back to memory.
Bless someone with the good news that is always in great Gospel music!! Don’t forget to visit us daily or sign up to receive our feed. We would love to hear what you think about this blog. E-mail us at customerservice@1800gospel.com.
Dominique
