Y’all heard the Clark Sisters’ version of Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground” yet?  They recorded it with Robert Randolph as part of the Oh Happy Day: An All-Star Music Celebration album, released by Vector Records/EMI Gospel last week.  The project also features the Soul Children of Chicago (shout-out), Mavis Staples, Al Green and Heather Headley, as well as mainstream artists like Jon Bon Jovi, Michael McDonald, Joss Stone and Queen Latifah.

Honestly, at first, I thought “here comes a trainwreck,” but it’s really not bad AT ALL!  Dorinda seemed a bit more reserved until the end, but each of the ladies held it down throughout.  I think they really put their signature “Clark Sisters sound,” with the harmonies and acrobatics, on a classic song.

Listen:

PLUS, I’m glad to see them branching out and doing more stuff in different arenas, getting some of the recognition that they deserve from the mainstream.

Now, lemme know what YOU think!

To the DEATH!!!  Hahahaaaa!  Y’all fought to the death on this one.

Sometimes Karen was ahead by 100+ votes, sometimes she was holding on by only a few votes, but do know– she was always ahead!  With 293 votes (the most ever… thanks!), the results are in:

VOCALLY, who is your favorite Clark sister?

Karen Clark-Sheard – 117 votes (40%)

Dorinda Clark-Cole – 104 votes (36%)

Twinkie Clark – 59 votes (20%)

Jacky Clark-Chisholm – 11 votes (4%)

Denise Clark-Bradford – 2 votes (1%)

Personally, I’m torn.  Every time I hear Karen, I think “and THAT’S why you’re my favorite,” but then I hear Dorinda and I think “what?!  YOU’RE the one!”  Then, I’ll play some old Twinkie track and be laid out somewhere.  And from time to time, Jacky sings one of her classic leads and I think “see, people sleep on you, but you’re no joke!”  I don’t really have Denise on leads anywhere that I know of, but I couldn’t do the survey without her on it!  Suffice it to say that I love EACH of ‘em for different reasons.

What do y’all think of the results???

Thanks for voting.  Make sure you head over to the sidebar NOW to voice your opinion in the new poll:  Of the albums listed below, which is your FAVORITE from Israel & New Breed?

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If you find a major gospel music weekend, you’re probably gonna find an Urban Soul Cafe event.  They’re put on by Carlos Hale & Preacher Kid (aka “PK”).  This particular one was held at B.B. King’s.

The event was honoring Jacky Clark-Chisholm, whose daughter, Angel Chisholm, sang the daylights out of a tribute song.  Can we… uhh… get an album from you?

I wanna highlight TWO indie artists who performed that night and who are incredibly gifted.  I hope you’ll check ‘em out cuz they represent some GREAT music in the underground scene.  Jai is a phenomenal musical powerhouse, with tons of personality and charisma to boot.  Check out her MySpace page (better than many MAJOR recording artists) by clicking here. Then, there’s J.R., another gifted writer, singer and performer.  His MySpace page (also phenomenal) is here.  Make sure you listen to “Not A Slave” from him.  Both artists are St. Louis-based and have a refreshing sound.  Jai sounds like Missy Elliott merged into gospel and J.R. is like an Outkast meets gospel, but both are original and creative and unique and… just GREAT.  Check them out.  Plus, I met both of ‘em and they’re confident, but humble, which is great to see.  I may try to feature them at some point.

Okay, back to the show… a bunch of Zomba Gospel artists were also in the house and performed: Kirk Franklin with Da T.R.U.T.H., 21:03, Crystal Aikin and Shari Addison.

All in all, the show was fun, but crowded.  Somehow, I ended up sitting next to Kirk Franklin, which meant A LOT of fans coming over and speaking, and even more fans coming over and ACTING like they’re doing something else, but really just staring and being weird.  I left with the Zomba Gospel folks, and it was laaaaate… like 2am or something.  EXHAUSTING, but a great way to end the day!

Make sure to check back for photos in the 2009 Stellar Awards Weekend Photo Gallery!  And get ready for what happened on Saturday, the day of the show!

Back in a minute!

 Is it just me, or didn’t Jacky Clark-Chisholm kinda sing her face off on the The Clark Sisters’ Live: One Last Time album?