Leaving the Stillness of Peace in Its Wake

The first essential reissue of 2019, the French import ROBERTA MARTIN SINGERS: 1947-1962 charts the gold standard early years of this most influential African American mixed-voice gospel ensemble.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Being About the Persistence of Love

At long last, 83-year-old MARY LANE asserts herself at the forefront of contemporary blues with TRAVELIN' WOMAN, her record of a lifetime and of hanging in and hanging on to love, body, soul and heart intact.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Chronicling a Spiritual Exodus from Modern-Day Anxieties

One of the first great albums of 2019, GOSHEN, by DONALD LAWRENCE PRESENTS THE TRI-CITY SINGERS, is a concept album ranging from worship songs to topical numbers to rages against the machine--and the power of faith.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Enter, And Feel the Spirit

Soaring emotions and exquisite quartet harmonizing abound on TRAVELIN' SHOES, a foray into southern gospel (with a stop along the way at western gospel!) by the redoubtable MARLEY'S GHOST
by David McGee
 

 

 

‘Voices Raised in Determination and Triumph’

On this, its fifth CD, The Ebony Hillbillies' old-timey sound evokes, on the one hand, bygone eras in the jubilant bones- and fiddle-fired title track and horrific modern-day tragedies rooted in racial animus...
by David McGee
 

 
 

A Paean to Living, Remembering, Carrying On, Moving Forward

The pieces on this expertly produced Open G Records disc ask the listener not only to absorb the complexities of the sonic layers but also to consider their meaning.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Exuding the Joy of Connection Through Music

FRANCESCA DEGO's exceptional album of concerti by NICCOLO PAGANINI and ERMANNO WOLF-FERRARI merits an exceptional review by JOSEPH NEWSOME
by David McGee
 

 
 

Undaunted

On WE RISE UP, RAVEN AND RED confront all manner of romantic debacle and emerge undaunted. Attention must be paid to these young artists.
by David McGee
 

 

 

If It Weren’t for Good Luck…

On this, his 18th long player, Chris Smither emphasizes—then re-emphasizes--the irony of the collection’s title while taking interesting detours into vintage classics.
by David McGee
 

 
 

‘Snoop, Let’s Take ’em To Church!’

SNOOP DOGG promised his new label would offer opportunities for gospel artists, and he delivers, mightily, on that promise on SNOOP DOGG PRESENTS BIBLE OF LOVE
by David McGee
 

 

 

The Heart, The Inscrutable Heart

On A HEART NEVER KNOWS, Ohio's PRICE SISTERS may have lessons to impart about teleportation, so authentic is their otherworldliness.
by David McGee
 

 
 

The Inner Light

The thirty-ninth album of his career may be JOHN MCCUTCHEON's finest yet. The storytelling is vivid and moving, the music is appropriately nuanced, the singing heartfelt and engaging. Let GHOST LIGHT take hold.
by David McGee