Tag Archives: Heather Headley

New Gospel Releases, Part 1

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Following (in three parts) are short reviews of several gospel music CD releases from the first quarter of 2009.  While there are many others that could and should appear on this list, I chose to present these projects based on a few criteria.  For instance, some are highlighted because they present new music from performers who have experienced an extended absence from the industry as recording artists. Other releases were chosen based on their abundant airplay and high placement on chart listings. In addition, some appear as a result of the artist’s presence in the gospel music industry over time.  Nevertheless, the aggregate of these artists exemplify gospel music spanning traditional and contemporary styles.  My hope is that the reader will identify with at least one of the highlighted CDs, which might lead him/her to explore other projects by the same artists along with those who perform similar styles, thus expanding their knowledge and experience of this religious artistic expression that is gospel music.

Title: Audience of One

Artist: Heather Headley

Label: EMI Gospel

Format: CD

Catalog No.: 5099922651228

Release Date:  January 13, 2009
Heather Headley’s new release, Audience of One, might lead some to assume that the R&B singer has crossed over into the gospel music industry.  However, given her background (her father was a pastor) as well as her soulful delivery on this project, its apparent that Headley never left the church.  Steeped in lush orchestrations and soulful, eclectic grooves, Headley presents a vocal gem consisting of tonal clarity, well placed phrasing, and emotional drive. Put succinctly, she gives thoughtful worshipers a musical vehicle by which they can mull over the goodness of God and the significance of dependence upon Him.  For a clear example of her renderings listen to “Simply Redeemed,” “I Need Thee Every Hour,” the churchy “I Know The Lord Will Make a Way” and “Here I Am To Worship.”  With special appearances by Smokie Norful and the Tri-City Singers, along with arrangements by Keith Thomas, Marc Harris and Cedric Thompson, Audience of One will resonate across racial, denominational and generational boundaries.


Title: The Law of Confession Part 1

Artist: Donald Lawrence

Label: Verity

Format: Enhanced CD

Catalog No.: 886972347325

Release Date:  February 3, 2009
Donald Lawrence continues to prove why he is one of gospel’s most sought after artists/producers.  With his newest release, Law of Confession, recorded live in Chicago at the Living Word Christian Center, he illustrates in song how words have the power to change life circumstances.  The 14 tracks are based on a book and sermon entitled Law of Confessions by Rev. Bill Winston, the pastor of Living Word where Lawrence is a congregant.  The title track, “Law of Confession,” sums up the entire album, as Lawrence challenges the live audience to begin speaking the words of the Lord over their lives.

The song “Back II Eden” has also proven to be an enormous hit among the gospel audience, with its message of prosperity promised by God, which allows for “Kingdom people” (Lawrence’s term) to “live on top of the world.” Also very powerful is the rendition of “The Blessing of Abraham,” which was performed as a reflective ballad in contrast to the original up-tempo version recorded by Lawrence in 2006.  This ballad style allows for “Kingdom people” to internalize the covenant between God and Abraham as well as his descendants.  It is enough to usher the listener into a mode of worship.  Every song on this CD could be used as a tool for shifting the mindset of the listener from a state where anything is accepted to a place where one dictates, through the word of God, what his or her life will be. The project is musically excellent and Biblically sound. The Law of Confession is a must have!

Posted by Tyron Cooper

Oh Happy Day

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Title: Oh Happy Day: An All-Star Music Celebration

Artists: Various

Label: EMI Gospel

Catalog No.: 509995128622

Release Date: March 31, 2009

In 1975, performer/scholar Pearl Williams-Jones wrote an article entitled “Afro-American Gospel Music: A Crystallization of the Black Aesthetic,” where she illustrated how gospel music represents the totality of black aesthetic expressions.  Ultimately, her interpretation of the genre not only presented gospel music as a religious art form, but also as a vehicle for bridging the gap between sacred and secular practices in black music.  Oh Happy Day: An All-Star Music Celebration, a new release by EMI Gospel, is a contemporary manifestation of Williams-Jones’ notion of gospel music, as it highlights duets between religious and mainstream music artists: Johnny Lang is paired with the Fisk Jubilee Singers, Robert Randolph with the Clark Sisters, Al Green with Heather Headley, and 3 Doors Down with the Soul Children of Chicago. This CD is a tribute to gospel music that is long overdue, as the genre has functioned as a breeding ground for many of the mainstream music industry’s top artists from Sister Rosetta Tharpe to Curtis Mayfield to Fantasia.  In fact, gospel music has constantly shaped the performance practices and, essentially, the sound of American popular music.

Some of the highlighted duets– such as rocker Jon Bon Jovi with The Washington Youth Choir as well as R&B diva Mavis Staples with Patty Griffin– are overly ambitious and do not necessarily capture the gospel feel (a qualitative performance character), or are unevenly matched vocally.  Nevertheless, there are several jewels on this project such as the rendition of the Impressions 1965 single, “People Get Ready” by the Reverend Al Green and Heather Headley.  Green and Headley’s extended vocal range and elongated phrasings are superbly complimentary.  In addition, their ability to pace their individual ad libs creates mature vocal placement, which keeps them from over-singing and over-shadowing each other.  This track is a good source for novice singers who are searching for an example of how to execute soulful music with patience.

“Oh Happy Day,” featuring Queen Latifah with the Jubilation Choir, represents another notable duet on this project. Queen Latifah’s smooth and warm vocals parallel the rounded and legato phrasing of the Jubilation Choir.  In addition, the instrumental accompaniment on this track illustrates a quintessential example of sacred/secular fluidity in black music.  The Earth, Wind & Fire styled horn riffs, guitar lines incorporating bluesy and churchy vocabulary (if there is a difference), and vamp reminiscent of Sunday morning worship services, all merge to form a distinct sound that resonates within the traditional black church as well as the broader mainstream community that appreciates soul music.

“I Believe” presents the soulful vocals of Johnny Lang and the Fisk Jubilee Singers.  This song paints a picture of a southern-based gritty, communal, hand clapping and foot stomping church deep in the back woods where all the saints are on one accord expressing their commitment to faith in God’s word.   Lang’s raspy vocals create the feel of the shouts and squalls of the black preacher, while the Fisk Jubilee Singers’ background harmonies and rhythmic execution reflect those in the “amen” corner whose excitement for the gospel spreads throughout the congregation (and in this case, the listener), prompting others to sing along with similar conviction.  In addition, Lang’s guitar playing, grounded in the blues tradition, meshes well with the down home ambiance of the track.

Following is EMI’s promo video which demonstrates the widespread appeal of the project:

These tracks, along with others on the CD, reflect an ongoing tradition in black music where sacred and secular practices co-exist.  They also illustrate the fact that gospel music transcends boundaries of race, gender and generation.   More importantly, Oh Happy Day: An All-Star Music Celebration presents timeless songs that have assisted in developing and sustaining the beliefs of people throughout the world.  It is a must have for those who desire to revisit the more traditional gospel music repertoire in a unique and contemporary way.

Posted by Tyron Cooper