*A LEGEND RETURNS: NEW ANDRAÉ CROUCH ALBUM DUE IN MAY
His new single, “The Promise,” is already making waves, but come May 17 Grammy winning gospel legend ANDRAÉ CROUCH will make an even stronger statement of faith with the release of his 18th album, The Journey. Also: information about ‘The Promise’ Choir Competition now underway.
*GOSPEL NEWS & NOTES
ERNIE HAASE & SIGNATURE SOUND Honor Cathedrals; Duncan Exits Group, Owens Enters; TREY IVEY Joins LEGACY FIVE; Legendary SONGFELLOWS QUARTET Keeps On Rollin’ With Rick Strickland, Brad Smith Now On Board.
*BOB MAROVICH’S GOSPEL PICKS FOR MARCH
Gospel editor BOB MAROVICH has some amazing gospel albums to recommend this month. Check ‘em out.
CONVERTED MIND--THE EARLY RECORDINGS, Bishop Manning and the Manning Family:During a time when gospel music is moving along speedily on the interstate, it is soul-satisfying to hear collections like Converted Mind explore the genre's well-traveled blue highways.
...THEN SINGS MY SOUL, Mississippi Mass Choir:Time will tell but ...Then Sings My Soul could well go down in history as the crown jewel in the Mississippi Mass Choir's estimable catalog of gospel gems. This two-disc set was recorded in June, 2009 at First Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi. The 200-plus member multicultural choir, which has been "serving God through song" since 1988, is as strong as ever. Its lead singers more than hold their own against the thunderous wall of vocal power--because when Mississippi Mass crescendos, they can drown out a jet plane.
SINGING THE HYMNS, Karen Washington and the New Singing Stars: On Singing the Hymns, Karen Washington and the New Singing Stars render timeless hymns, revival songs and gospels such as "Amazing Grace," "Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross," and "Nothing But the Blood." The CD's ten selections are so lodged in the subconscious of Christians throughout the world that you'll find yourself singing along with no need of a hymnbook.
PROJECT: SANCTIFIED--REUNION COMMUNION: A CELEBRATION OF 19TH STREET, Pierre Walker and Various Artists: Gospel music today has a polished, musically complex sensibility in keeping with a world captivated by iPods and enraptured by multi-media praise services and megachurch celebrations. Project: Sanctified reminds us that in the midst of musical evolution, thousands of Old Landmarks in cities large and small sound just like Nineteenth Street. They embrace the future without abandoning the rich, textured intensity of the songs that carried their forebears through.
