I’ve been on a Take 6 kick this week– I’ve found myself revisiting a lot of their music, humming along and foolishly thinking that I’ve added that 7th harmony that should’ve been in there, as if they hadn’t already performed it PERFECTLY.
My mind got to thinking and I wondered why the gospel community has never really blasted them for venturing beyond the four walls of the church. Then, I thought “maybe we don’t consider them to be a gospel group in the first place.”
Disclaimer: I don’t want Take 6 to be blasted, nor do I think they ought to be. I am of the belief that they are very much gospel artists, very much Christian, very much doing what God has called them to do… and they do it with excellence. I’m an avid supporter (actually, a drooling fan) of Take 6.
But I think it’s interesting– I have not seen us, the gospel industry, treat Take 6 the way we’ve treated other artists who express themselves in similar ways.
Picture it– a group releases its first album, a gospel one, in 1988. Four gospel albums and two Christmas projects later, they slowly begin to dabble in some inspirational music before landing at a full jazz album in 2008. You won’t ever really catch the group singing at churches; they play nightclubs and lounges (like the Blue Note in NYC or various clubs in Japan).
If this were ANYONE but Take 6, they’d be crucified in the gospel industry.
Singing in clubs?! Mary Mary performed gospel music on a tour that used nightclubs for venues and the gospel community was completely up in arms.
Moving from gospel albums to jazz albums?! Poor Kim Burrell, one of the naturally jazziest singers this industry has ever seen, mentions that she’s going to do a secular inspirational record and folks nearly broke this website’s comment section with “how could she turn her back on Jesus” and worse.
But, fortunately, I’ve not heard such criticism about Take 6, which leads me to wonder ”does the gospel community consider Take 6 to be a gospel group?” Maybe folks aren’t mad because they don’t consider them gospel artists.
But why would THAT be?!
Is it because they’ve never been signed to a “gospel” label? Is it because, for as gospel-themed as their lyrics are, their sound (a capella and jazzy) somehow places them in a separate genre altogether? Is it because we consider them “cultured” gospel artists, who are merely venturing out into areas that the gospel wouldn’t otherwise be, so they get a pass? Is it because no one else in gospel does what they do, so we’ve silently decided that the “rules” we’ve applied to other artists don’t apply to them?
Again, let me repeat– I do not think Take 6 should be crucified for where they go or what albums they put out. But I’m also seriously curious to know (maybe, challenge) the gospel community’s reasoning on some of this stuff.
So, what do you think?
Do we consider Take 6 to be a “gospel” group?
If not, why not? If so, why do some of our gospel artist rules not seem to apply to them?
You're on the money, EJ. And you're also hilarious. I remember purchasing Take 6's debut in 1988 at the enthusiastic urging of my mentor. I think it all starts with the name; "Mary Mary" in 2000 was cutting edge, but Take 6 in the 80's?....THAT was hitting on somethin' (no offense to the Mary's haha). Two, the fact that they were on Warner Brothers set them apart immediately. Third, the packaging was superb. Fourth -- and now to the music -- they started OUT with a sound that was (should I say it?) bigger than gospel. Refined. Edited. QUALITY!!! They were never just thrown on a midnight musical because they skipped that part. They obviously worked some strategy because their first foray into the national scene was huge. Come to think of it... I guess I never considered them a gospel act. When I'm pulling music for a special kind of Saturday it's either all gospel, of which they're not a part OR it's Michael Franks, Phoebe Snow, Jose James and Take 6. See? My $.02.
EJ...i'm a drooling fan too. I personally don't think that the gospel community looked at Take 6 as a gospel group. I think the gospel community took Take 6 as a group of singers that jazzed up gospel hymns. I personally have them in rotation because I love them..their writing style and arrangements blow my mind. But I think their style of singing is not what most consider "gospel". They don't really do the gospel growl, screams, and runs, as @Byron N stated their sound is refined. edited. Quality. I consider them a gospel artist but I have a very broad taste when it comes to music...LOL.
I know that the gospel community as a whole never made Take 6 a gospel group per se, but we accepted their gospel offerings. At the same time, within the conservative church where these guys grew up, they were lambasted as "sinners", "sold to the world", intoxicated by the devils riches. Many of us who know the guys by reputation or personally, know that was never the case. They were always professional artists who indeed rep Christ in every one of those "questionable" venues that I happened to happily go see them.
I've thought the same and realized that they have for a while been releasing music as inspirational. But it may mostly have to do with their public representation. They are not less holy than Mary Mary or Kim Burrell but they do have a different approach to not only gospel music but the gospel itself. Their approach seems to be more casual as a group selling music with a message rather than message with some music. They have slipped in inspirational music with their pure gospel message on albums for a while now. So going full inspirational or full jazz wouldn't be as big a deal. I don't think the gospel community follows them as closely either. However I think those 2 comparisons are unfair because for one the mistake in the Kim Burrell case was that someone else, not her at first, mentioned a SECULAR album and not a jazz album. If the person in question had said jazz I'm certain the reaction would have been way different. There were plans to release a Christmas Jazz EP before that but that fell through but that was VERY well received by those who heard that it may happen. As for the Mary Mary issue, I think that's deeper than them just playing in a club lol. There are unresolved issues with Mary Mary and the gospel community...
Maaan I love Take 6! Always have! I just bought their new christmas album (Yeah, I'm preparing early! So what! lol) Back to the subject at hand: I do consider them a gospel/inspirational/christian group. I think some people don't recognize them as such, because of their sound. Which is very much not the "gospel" sound. But in my opinion, I don't believe that gospel is solely based on a sound (well ok, some sounds lol), I believe it is the message more than anything that should stand out. And I also believe, one of the HUGE differences between them & "other" gospel artists (that are doing the exact same things as them) is not just their noticeably different sound...but their attitude! Their personalities/interactions with the listeners has not been one of the "this is my ministry, you're a hater, deal with it" kind of thing. They haven't given one reason to think of them in THAT particular light. I believe they handle themselves in a very humble and different way. JMHO :)
Agreed.
Thank God for this blog post though or I wouldn't have known they had a new Christmas album out.
Take 6 never positioned themselves as a gospel artist. They just wrote and sang and harmonized and refused to be locked into just one music category. Also, they didn't spend vinyl, track, and stage time pseudo-preaching, rebuking audiences with hellfire and damnation, and putting their unsolicited versions of "holiness" on front street for record sales. This here is the difference between Mary Mary and Kim Burrell and Take 6. And I HEART Kim Burrell. I would have appreciated it if she would stop talking about what she's going to do and just BE ABOUT IT! Like somebody said upthread, they skipped the so-called steps to become a part of the gospel music community: the midnight musical, the gospel version of the chitlin' circuit plays, exploiting a fall from grace with apology videos/tours/letters, etc. Those are just a few of the steps.
Good article EJ. REAL TALK.
@Shane - As for the Mary Mary issue, I think that's deeper than them just playing in a club lol. There are unresolved issues with Mary Mary and the gospel community... lol lol
But seriously EJ this is a very good discussion
Take 6, what can i say they are unique, but lets go back to the Winans first release, the Hawkins family , when i first heard them it was a new freshness for Gospel music. (i call it Gospel Groove!) playing in clubs or churches, does it bring the message of Jesus Christ to those that don't know him? And what about the Kirks ,the tyres that the young people can related to?
I loved them before it was cool. My cousins and I sang their songs around the house as kids! Mainstream gospel artists are looked at as our (the church) representatives on the global stage...people of influence. It matters what they do cause it's a reflection of "us". It may not be right but it is what it is. However, Take 6 is not mainstream gospel. They don't sing the type of songs that have you tearing up the carpet and flipping over the pews. And I think that keeps them very low on the gospel totem pole. They won't be heading up a major gospel tour any time soon, lol. So, what they do, really doesn't affect "us". I rarely hear anyone but musicians/artists/singers naming them as a notable/influential group. Their talent is so special that whoever hears it and has a true appreciation of music (the art of it) is amazed by it regardless of what Take 6 is singing about. I view them as gospel. But I'm not looking to shout off of or get super emotional over every gospel song. I can just close my eyes and quietly listen to "Come Unto Me"...and find rest for my soul and candy for my ears, lol.
I don't think "we" consider them gospel artists per se. There are no extravagant spills about their "anointing", or "reaching souls" etc. from the gospel world, but more importantly from Take 6. I'm not saying that they've never said anything about their relationship with Christ, but the things that we get from other artists you've mentioned (Kim Burrell, Mary Mary etc) regarding their message, the call of God on their lives, and yes, their anointing isn't as prevalent from Take 6. In my own mind, I don't think Take 6 and think gospel. I think of them as a nice inspirational group. I don't listen to them to receive ministry, I listen to them because they sound darn good! Is anything wrong with that? I don't think so....but I think it's just one of those things that "is".
Also, I agree with some other commenters who stated that Take 6 doesn't have that "we started out in our church choir together, singing at musicals" testimony. They were polished as singers first, "gospel" 2nd from pretty much the beginning, so their approach and journey doesn't match the journeys of most gospel artists.
This is a favorite good question Ej, I am going to share my opinion. I personally thought that Take 6 only sung gospel songs. However that is not true, they have been known to sing secular song as well. There are may gospel singers that sing in clubs and on worldly ventures, but the bible says to go into the word and preach the gospel, you can`t just sing in church, you have to go everywhere. However that does not mean to abandon Christ while you sing in clubs or whatever,but it all comes down to the intent. Also, Take 6 from my understanding gospel music has influenced the group. I think any singer or artist is gospel if they are consistent with gospel cd`s, not making a R&b album than a gospel album the following year. Additionally, in order to spread the light of Christ, you have to go beyond singing just in church, because many people don`t go to church for whatever reason. On the other hand, know what your calling is, if you are called by God to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ, you music should reflect that. However music is a form of art, but the bible does say you would know them by their fruit. Finally, if your lifestyle does not match up with the music you sing, how can anyone say that your music is "gospel"as before it all comes back to your calling. It is more about making sells and winning grammy's when you sing gospel, it is about winning souls by your message. Going back to my point ( I am kinda off topic but making a point :) Take 6 is considered a gospel group to many and a R&b group to some, it all comes down to the artists intent and what they plan to be labeled as.
I think is good we really consider what the gospel represents before we can accurately classify. The gospel is "the power of God unto salvation...Rom 1:16", so anything whether in words, song or action does not meet that is not gospel at all. I believe its not wrong to do secular music, but if it goes without the power of God its not gospel. We can play in the night clubs and say we want to win souls, but God judges the intentions. The only thing that bothers me is that we need to experience the power of God through music to really classify them as gospel.Thats the difference between a preacher of Gods word and an inpirational/motivational speaker; between gospel and circular music etc
"Their approach seems to be more casual as a group selling music with a message rather than message with some music." Veeery interesting quote for some discussion! They are extrodinarily MUSICAL for gospel artists...if you don't mind me saying so!
SP....extraordinarily..opps!
"Like somebody said upthread, they skipped the so-called steps to become a part of the gospel music community: the midnight musical, the gospel version of the chitlin' circuit plays, exploiting a fall from grace with apology videos/tours/letters, etc. Those are just a few of the steps." OH MY GOODNESS....HILARIOUS!
WHAT AN AWESOME POST WITH COMMENTARY! EJ, YOU'VE DONE IT AGAIN! TAKE 6 IS GENIOUS, RESPECTED, ANOINTED AND QUALIFIED TO DO JUST WHAT THEIR CALLED TO DO! THEY INDEED USE THEIR GIFTS TO THE GLORY OF GOD! THEY ARE ALL SAVED, OPENLY PROFESS GOD, LOVE TO JAM, DANCE AND PRAISE, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY....THEY'VE NEVER CARED WHAT WE THOUGHT ABOUT THEM ANYWAY SO THAT KEEP THEM OFF THE GOSSIP WHEEL! THIS AIN'T SCRIPTURE BUT WISDOM NON THE LESS, TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE!
I was introduced to Take 6 as a child by my aunt who was very particular about the Christian music she bought. I think Take 6 was embraced by the Church of Christ due to the acappella. But since Church of Christ is not largely represented at all in the gospel music industry it went under the radar in this community. The fact that they were on a major label and presented a jazzy sound with quality recordings, etc just set them apart. I love them!!! This is actually the artistry I'd want to emulate. Broad appeal, Christian artists, positive message, quality product... Excellence!
Tam....would you be completely blown away if I said that I totally 100% agree with you here??? LOLOL