Check your local PBS listings to catch In Performance At The White House: A Celebration Of Music From The Civil Rights Movement TONIGHT (in most cities, at 8pm ET/7pm CST).
Yolanda Adams was among those fortunate enough to sing before President Obama in the Civil Rights concert celebration. She performed Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” to an audience in the White House’s East Room. PBS has already posted some of the performances on YouTube.
Personally, I’m not thrilled with the song choice– I generally think of this song as one intended for a gravely male voice, not a pure, clean and soaring voice like Yolanda’s. But after just a short time, she definitely captivated the audience with her sound and her message. Something about the tune even made Mr. President snuggle up with the Mrs. about 1 minute in (I just LOVE them!).
Other performances came from Jennifer Hudson & Smokey Robinson (“People Get Ready” – click here to watch it), the Blind Boys Of Alabama, Bob Dylan, Seal, Natalie Cole and more.
It looks like the same house band that played last year when Mary Mary performed at The White House in tribute to Stevie Wonder (which would also be the house band of American Idol). Musical direction is coming from Rickey Minor and I think I spotted Teddy Campbell (husband of Tina Campbell, from Mary Mary) on the drums. So, you see… all things come back to Mary Mary. LOL
Okay, tune in tonight to catch the full performance. I’m just thrilled that President Obama hosts so many great concerts and parties… wonder why he didn’t invite me… must’ve gotten lost in the mail. It’s cool.
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaye Yo-Yo was well dressed....fully covered..thank u Jesus! I've been saddened by the way she's been dressing these days cos she truly is an annointed minister so hate to hear/see people continually critisize her for some of her choice of outfits
i agree, EJ. i love Yolanda and she RARELY does wrong in my eyes but i didn't like her singing this song so much...i'm assuming she was asked to sing this particular song. it didn't really allow her to do what Yolanda does. on a personal note, this song depresses the heck out of me. *goes back to Patti & Darryl Coley video*
Hey EJ, Thanks for sharing and keeping us updated on all things gospel. Keep doing what you're doing. As for Yolanda's performance, I was simply okay with "A Change is Gonna Come", but later on she NAILED "How Great Thou Art"! Simply wonderful. She received a standing ovation. Is that one on You Tube yet? EJ - any word on Yolanda's new project??? I love the way she keeps working even w/o new material since 2005. Favor!
Also, Yolanda did not choose A Change is Gonna Come for herself. Becaue of the snow storm on the east coast, they moved the recording date up by a day. Seal was suppose to sing this song, but wasn't able to make it in time. Therefore, the producer asked Yolanda to fill in. See this link: http://blogs.laweekly.com/westcoastsound/tv-eye/white-house-concert-dylan-smok/