I love this song more than I can express– it’s just classic to me.

This isn’t the original performance, but it’s great all the same.  It’s “Jesus Saves” by Marvin Winans and the Perfected Praise Choir, and this particular video features Vickie Winans on guest vocals, too!

How about that?!

Ran across this video of Marvin Winans while preparing to post a different one…

I’m sayin’ this in the most secure-within-myself way I know how– something about that man’s voice just drives me bananas!  It’s like butter.  Or like velvet.  Whatever it is, it’s dope.

On this video, Marvin Winans is singing his single, “I Still Believe,” from his solo debut album, Alone But Not Alone.  The track is waaaay too low for this performance, so the mix is almost ALL lead vocal…

I know that’s not ideal, sound-wise, but goodie goodie for us– we get to hear even MORE of the vocal nuances and tricks that make him who he is.

Check it out–

GEEEEEEZ. Whatd’ya think?!

A couple of weeks ago, GospelPundit.com contributing writer Mia Paylor wrote her first editorial in her new series, Purchase Or Pass, regarding Jason Champion.  You guys loved it so much (and so did I), that I figured we need to hear from Mia again, sooner than later.

So, without delay, here’s Mia’s… policy… on purchasing music. *giggling*

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Jesus said we should forgive 77 times. But at $10 each, I can’t afford to forgive $770 worth of disappointing CDs!  Once I hit $20, you’re CUT from my “MUST BUY” list. My most common disappointment is unmet expectations…and my most recent encounter with it involves Byron Cage.

Byron Cage’s self-titled GospoCentric debut is a CLASSIC. With production headed by Kurt Carr, this CD impacted how Praise & Worship was done…PERIOD. What praise team didn’t sing “The Presence of the Lord is Here”…and beg to cut at least two modulations?! The power of God, a seamless flow from high praise to reverent worship, top-notch background vocals, and well-written, perfectly arranged…very church-friendly songs were all present on this CD. Surely, I’d get more releases like this from Byron. My expectations were sealed!

Already familiar with Isaiah Thomas’ “I Will Bless the Lord”, I didn’t rush out to buy Byron’s 2005 release, An Invitation to Worship (produced by PAJAM). After hearing “We Love You”, which sounds like Byron’s a featured guest on J. Moss’ song, I opted to pass on it altogether. Both songs were nice. I just couldn’t imagine how they fit together on the same CD.

But, I did purchase Byron’s 2007 release, Live at the Apollo (also produced by PAJAM), when I found out Kim Burrell was featured on it. It had its highlights…specifically, “Royalty”, “Anyhow” and “If You Never.”  But, where did the seamless flow go? Where were the well-written, church-friendly Praise & Worship songs?

So, this time, my good friend, Cynthia Jones (make-up artist extraordinaire), had to convince me to give Bryon’s most recent release, Faithful to Believe (produced by Aaron Lindsey), a listen. She said that she shared my reservations initially, gave it a shot anyway and was pleased with the CD.

So, I downloaded it…and it’s definitely a step up from the last two releases. “I Give You Praise” is a nice Praise & Worship song. “Simply Yes” and “I Can’t Hold It” are soul-stirring choir selections. And “Lord, You are My Everything”, with Karen Clark-Sheard and Pastor Marvin Winans, is a churchy treat. But, WHERE, OH WHERE is the PLETHORA of songs that praise teams everywhere MUST learn? And why are the background vocals lacking precision?

If Byron hadn’t been marketed as “The PRINCE of Praise”, I’d be at peace with my post Byron Cage purchases. Instead, I’m longing to have my princely expectations met. If my expectations were set in error, tell me!

Artists should use the formula that catapulted their recording career while preparing to record subsequent projects. I think that would decrease the likelihood that CD-buying supporters will be disappointed with what an artist offers as it relates to their future CDs style, flow, lyrics, and overall production.

I’m willing to purchase Byron’s future projects. But, first, I have a question. What should I expect from a Byron Cage CD?! Depending on the answer, I’ll ignore my $20 cut-off limit, tweak my expectations accordingly and prepare to buy the next release.

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I hear you, Mia.  I will say that I enjoy his most recent release more than his previous two… but there’s nothing like that first one on GospoCentric!

What do you folks think?

Will this song EVER get old?  No, no no no no no…

This particular performance of The Winans’ “The Question Is” is from an annual Christmas event that takes place in Chicago called Christmas Glory.  The late, but great Ron Winans isn’t with them at this point, but the performance is still awesome.

Whatd’ya think???

YES… SUH!

That’s pretty much all you wanna say in response to “It’s All God,” the new single from the Soul Seekers, featuring Pastor Marvin Winans.

I added it to the PunditPlayer a few weeks ago, but they just released the video for it (from their live recording) and it’s even BETTER to listen when ya watch it!!!

Is that vocal performance an instant classic or what?!

I just love hearing Marvin Winans sing.  And this is one of those “wish-I-was-there” type of moments– it just looks like they had a GREAT sing-along type of time.

PAJAM featured this video on YouTube.  It features Marvin Winans singing Fred Hammond’s “You Are The Living Word,” before transitioning to “Stand” (for which he brings out Donnie McClurkin and J Moss).

Check it out:

Whatd’ya think?!

I heard that the first single from contemporary quartet The Soul Seekers would feature Pastor Marvin Winans, and I knew it would be incredible on that basis alone.

The track, “It’s All God,” does not disappoint.  It features a simple melody, tight harmonies, great instrumentation, and guest vocals from the incomparable Marvin L. Winans.

For your listening pleasure, I’ve added the track to the PunditPlayer.  Click here to take a listen!

In February, I reported that the album, titled SS2, would be in stores on May 4th, but I think it might have been pushed back a lil’ bit.  Once I hear, I’ll let ya know.

In the meantime, lemme know what you think!!!

At the BMI Trailblazers awards, Marvin Winans shared a bunch of stories about his early experiences with Andraé Crouch.  They didn’t televise all of that, but it was one of the highlights of the afternoon for me.

I love hearing stories about this industry.  Not for the blog or to dazzle my friends– just to know and enjoy ‘em.

The other day, I thought to myself “I wanna just go to lunch with someone and get some good gospel stories.”   But I can’t figure out whose stories I wanna hear.

A big part of me wants to say Kirk Franklin.  Another part wants to say Donald Lawrence.  And yet another part wants to say Shirley Caesar… all three would have incredible stuff to share… I dunno.

Outta curiousity– whose stories do you wanna hear?

Which gospel artists would you wanna have lunch with???

Word has it that Marvin Winans, Jr. will be enlisting the vocal services of his father, Pastor Marvin L. Winans, Sr., for his sophomore album!

In addition, Winans (Jr.) will again be working with Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins to recreate some of the production magic they captured on his debut album, Image Of A Man.

He also plans to have some tracks produced by Israel Houghton & Aaron Lindsey.

This could be reeeeaaaally good…

One of the most widely discussed events of the Stellar Awards weekend was not really planned at all; rather, it came suddenly, in response to the earthquake in Haiti.  Kirk Franklin successfully brought together the gospel and Christian music communities to record a new song that he wrote, the proceeds from which will be donated directly to the relief efforts in Haiti.

Though Franklin wrote and produced the track, entitled “Song For Pain,” he’s not getting a cut, nor are any of the dozens of artists and musicians who participated.  And I mean DOZENS.  Some of the artists and musicians who rolled through the session include Mary Mary, Natalie Grant, Donnie McClurkin, J Moss, CeCe Winans, Kierra Sheard, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Marvin Winans, Micah Stampley, Karen Clark Sheard, Smokie Norful, Shirley Caesar, Amy Grant, BeBe Winans, Brian Courtney Wilson, Stephen Hurd, Nicole C. Mullen, and MORE.  Every penny is going to Haiti.

Over the course of several recording sessions throughout the weekend, Kirk (who also co-hosted and performed at the Stellar Awards, and had to attend rehearsals and run-thru’s for the same) spent every moment of his “spare time” in Nashville’s Quad Studios, generally until around 6am.  I don’t think he got any sleep all weekend.

Let’s continue to pray for Haiti, that the offering of our music community would be used greatly to take Christ and His healing power to that nation.  And, let’s pray for our own artists and musicians, especially Kirk Franklin, who selflessly gave of their time and energy for this cause.

AAAAND, when the single hits the internet stores this week, BUY IT.  I’ll be sure to let you know when and where.  Deal?