Classic African American Gospel from Smithsonian Folkways

TRACKS LISTING

01. Jesus Going to Make Up My Dying Bed - Horace Sprott
02. Oh Lord, I'm So Glad I Got Good Religion - Starlight Gospel Singers
03. Thank You, Lord - Alvin Dockett and Blessed
04. When I Was Sinkin' Down - Fisk Jubilee Singers
05. Just Got Over At Last - Little Brother Montgomery
06. Moses Smote the Waters - Thrasher Wonders
07. Soon, One Mornin' - Willie Gresham
08. Dry Bones: Ezekiel Saw the Wheel - The Missionary Quintet
09. Holy Ghost - Juanita Johnson and the Gospel Tones
10. Where Could I Go - Sister Ernestine Washington with Bunk Johnson
11. Oh, What a Beautiful City - Big Bill Broonzy, Sonny Terry, Brownie McGee
12. You've Got to Move - Two Gospel Keys
13. Let the Church Say Amen - Elder Beck
14. I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say - Bishop Bowen and the Combined Gospel Choirs
15. If I Had My Way - Rev. Gary Davis
16. Low Down Death Right Easy - Dock Reed
17. He's My Rock - Brother John Sellers
18. Hallelujah, It Is Done - Elizabeth Cotten
19. We Praise Your Holy Name - Mississippi Mass Choir
20. Don't Let His Name Go Down - First Independent Holy Church of God-Unity-Prayer
21. Go Tell It on the Mountain - Fannie Lou Hammer
22. Been in the Storm So Long - Mary Pinckney
23. Every Time I Feel the Spirit / Swing Low Sweet Chariot / They Hung Him on the Cross (Medley) - Lead Belly
24. It's Time to Make a Change - Madison's Lively Stones

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Playlist - The Very Best Of Yolanda Adams

TRACKS LISTING

01. Thank You - (live)

02. The Good Shepherd

03. Just a Prayer Away

04. This Joy

05. Through the Storm

06. More Than a Melody

07. Before I Tell Them

08. Still I Rise

09. Only Believe

10. Yeah

11. The Battle is the Lord's - (live)

12. Fragile Heart

13. The Prayer - (featuring Donnie McClurkin)

14. The Only Way

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James Hall & WAP - Live at Foxwoods

TRACKS LISTING

01. Perfect Peace
02. Intro
03. Great is the Mystery of Godliness
04. Nothing Shall Separate Me
05. Teach Me Lord
06. That Shall He Reap
07. Ring it Out with a shout
08. He'll Do Just What He said
09. You are Not Alone
10. Deep Down in My Heart
11. Wages of Sin
12. He'll Make Things Better
13. For the Lord is Good
14. Lord Help Me to Follow
15. Praise
16. Reprise
17. God the Son (Bonus Track)

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Rev. James Cleveland

Rev. James Cleveland was born in Chicago, Illinois on December 5, 1931 to Rosie Lee and Benjamin Cleveland during the height of the greatest depression. James’ grandmother attended Pilgrim Baptist Church, where she was a member of the choir. James had no choice but to attend these rehearsals with his grandmother and found himself sitting through these choir rehearsals – bored stiff!! Eventually James decided he would conquer the boredom through attempting to sing along with the choir. It was in one of these rehearsal that James’ singing was noticed and he was made choir mascot. The choir director, Thomas A. Dorsey wrote a song for him which launched the career of what was the be a long line of performances. Through Dorsey’s teaching and directing young James was influenced in a great way.

Playing the piano was a skill that James developed through trial and error. His keen ear and ability to quickly grasp musical style helped him develop a command of the keyboard. But it was Roberta Martin who was the inspiration for his piano style. At a young age, James patterned his playing after Mrs. Martin, and it was Roberta Martin who published James Cleveland’s first composition, “I Want to See Jesus”. After developing his musical skills, James went to New York where he became Minister of Music at Faith Temple COGIC. where Bishop A. A. Childs was pastor. There he worked with organist Herman Stevens. From New York, James went to Philadelphia, where along with Bessie Folk and Narcellus McKissick (former members of the Martin Singers) the Gospel group “The Gospelaires” was formed. After much success with the Gospelaires, James went on to move to Detroit, Michigan where he became Minister of Music for Dr. C. L. Franklin. In the course of the next few years, James moved from Detroit to Chicago, and then back to Detroit. It was then that he became Second Assistant Pastor to Rev. Chas A. Craig Sr., at Prayer Tabernacle and through this fellowship the famous “Voices of Tabernacle” was born. Eventually Rev. Cleveland relocated to Los Angeles, California, where he founded the Cornerstone Baptist Church. Even though the church started with less than 100 members, the membership grew to over 7,000 people.

Before moving to California, James Cleveland enjoyed a great deal of success as a Savoy Recording artist. However, after moving West, he found himself without the usual polished background singers, and nearing the end of the recording contract, James needed to complete one more recording session. He decided to call his friend Reverend Lawrence Roberts, pastor of First Baptist Church of Nutley, New Jersey, and solicit the use of Roberts Angelic Choir to background this final session. Roberts responded positively and James along with friends Thurston Frazier and Billy Preston drove from California to Nutley, New Jersey. The album was recorded in 1962 and titled “This Sunday In Person” featuring James Cleveland with the Angelic Gospel choir, under the direction of Thurston Frazier and Rev. Lawrence Roberts, featuring Billy Preston at the organ. The LP was the first live gospel recording session ever. It was an overwhelming success. Savoy Records hurried to re-sign Cleveland and quickly produced Volume 2. This LP was even greater success featuring the hit selection “How Great Thou Art”. Volume 3 of James Cleveland and the Angelic Choir was titled “Peace Be Still”. This 1963 LP became the first gospel LP to sell over 50,000 albums (unheard of back then). From then on James Cleveland had the “Midas” touch on any LP which he was associated. He spoke of his musical style … “I’ve always maintained my own style of music, it has changed slightly over the years because I’ve tried to stay up with the times. I prefer traditional messages and stylings because people in the church choirs can sing it. I try to make my music a source of material for churches and choirs. I play simple enough so that even storefront musician can pick it up”.

As a musician, performer and producer, James maintained a level of excellence over an incredibly long period of time. Reverend Cleveland stated once, “I want to stay in the music business through promoting gospel music and upgrading the quality and performance of gospel music. I am pleased that Gospel Music Workshop of America has grown to the largest gospel music organization in the world, with over 20,000 members”.

The stage presence of Rev. James Cleveland is an experience that’s almost unexplainable, he mesmerizes audiences, not only with the presentation of singing material, but this unique way of addressing musicians with a single “ssshh”. Cleveland had a charisma on stage that was inimitable. He said, “Nobody taught me about stage presence, I just try to be with people on their level. I feel like people like folk who talk about everyday problems and shared experiences, rather than trying to be glamorous. I try to talk to them (audiences) and give them hope that things are going to get better. I think I can talk to people on their level because people are just people”.

Through his lifetime James Cleveland has won numerous awards and accolades that are too numerous to list. However it is noteworthy to remember James Cleveland won five (5) Grammy Awards. The last was February 21, 1991, awarded posthumous with The Southern California Community Choir on the Savoy Records LP entitled, “Having Church”. It should also be mentioned that Rev. Cleveland was awarded an honorary Doctrine degree from the Trinity Bible College and was the first gospel artist to be awarded a “STAR” on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Reverend Cleveland will never be forgotten as one of the world’s foremost leaders and pioneers of gospel music and his gospel music ministry will live on. Literally every black gospel artist today has been influenced by James Cleveland.

Shirley Caesar: After 40 Years - Still Sweeping Through the City (2007) - AVI

Even after four decades in the business, Shirley Caesar, the "First Lady of Gospel," continues to uplift and inspire scores of fans with her stirring spirituals. Concert film STILL SWEEPING THROUGH THE CITY showcases Caesar's powerful live persona, including performances of favorites "Peace In the Midst of the Storm" and "He's Got it All Under Control."

PART 1 PART 2 PART 3 PART 4 PART 5 PART 6 PART 7 PART 8

Billboard Top Gospel Albums

01. Mary Mary - The Sound
02. Various Artists - Kerry Douglas Presents:Gospel Truth Magazine:Gospel Mix Volume III
03. Various Artists - WOW Gospel 2009: 30 Of The Year's Top Gospel Artists And Songs
04. Brian Courtney Wilson - Just Love
05. Israel Houghton - The Power Of One
06. Donnie McClurkin - We All Are One (Live In Detroit)
07. Donald Lawrence & Co. - The Law Of Confession, Part I
08. Hezekiah Walker & LFC - Souled Out
09. Smokie Norful - Live
10. Marvin Sapp - Thirsty
11. Lecrae - Rebel
12. Vicki Yohe - Reveal Your Glory: Live From The Cathedral
13. Greg O'Quin & iPraize - After The Storm
14. Shekinah Glory Ministry - The Best Of Shekinah Glory Ministry
15. James Fortune & FIYA - The Transformation
16. Various Artists - WOW Gospel Essentials: All-Time Favorite Songs
17. Various Artists - Wow Gospel Essentials 2
18. Yolanda Adams - Playlist: The Very Best Of Yolanda Adams
19. Various Artists - A Gospel Tribute To President Barack Obama
20. Various Artists - Gotta Have Gospel! 6
21. Heather Headley - Audience Of One
22. Crystal Aikin - Crystal Aikin
23. Various Artists - Voices: The Ultimate Gospel Collection
24. The Brown Boyz - Harvest Time
25. Bishop Paul S. Morton Presents The FGBCFMC - Cry Your Last Tear

VIP Mass Choir Live In Miami Featuring John P. Kee

TRACKS LISTING

01. Yes We Can - (with VIP Mass Choir, featuring John P. Kee/Lowell Pye)
02. Favor - (with VIP Mass Choir, featuring Lejuene Thompson)
03. Winner - (with VIP Mass Choir, featuring Carol Thomas)
04. Praises - (with VIP Mass Choir, featuring Jason Nelson)
05. Glory, The - (with VIP Mass Choir, featuring Fred Hammond)
06. I'm Covered - (with VIP Mass Choir, featuring John P. Kee/Lowell Pye)
07. Be Glorified - (with VIP Mass Choir, featuring Earnest Pugh)
08. Just For Me - (with VIP Mass Choir, featuring Nikki Ross)
09. Our God - (with VIP Mass Choir, featuring John P. Kee/Maranda Curtis)
10. I Love You, Lord I Do - (with VIP Mass Choir, featuring John P. Kee/Maranda Curtis)
11. Thy Will - (with VIP Mass Choir, featuring Robert Copeland)
12. The Glory [Praise Connection Remix] - (remix, with VIP Mass Choir, featuring Fred Hammond)

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Count It All Joy [ENHANCED] [LIVE] - Darrel Petties

TRACKS LISTING

01. Count It All Joy
02. A Place
03. Thank Ya Jesus - (Reprise)
04. Yes Lord
05. Glory Hallelujah
06. It Is Well
07. I'm on My Way
08. Surely He Knows
09. Mighty God
10. Lord Help Me

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