Over the past month, the world has come to know Jesse Campbell from the hit TV show The Voice.
But as a young, gospel-lovin’ kid growing up in Chicago, I remember Jesse Campbell from his lead vocal on “Master, Can You Use Me.” It’s a tune that the late Rev. Timothy Wright featured on his I’m Glad About It album (the same project that featured “Trouble Don’t Last Always”). It was a project with the Chicago Interdenominational Mass Choir, released on Savoy Records.
I thought everyone knew about it, but as Jesse Campbell came up in more and more conversations, I realized how many folks were surprised to know how long he’s been in the game, and how deep into it he was (he also had a crazy good R&B tune called “When You Cry” back in ’95– also my jam).
I can count on one hand the number of video tributes I’ve written at GospelPundit.com after an artist has passed. In fact, only Bishop Walter Hawkins and Rev. Timothy Wright come to mind.
But when I heard that gospel pioneer Delois Barrett Campbell, of the Barrett Sisters, passed to Heaven at the age of 85 yesterday, I knew that I would need to do some kind of special feature.
Having grown up in Chicago, I’d always known of the Barrett Sisters and was familiar with their music. I enjoyed Rodessa Barrett Porter’s energy, was put at ease by Billie Barrett Greenbey’s smile and smooth tone and, of course, was blown away by the sheer power of Delois Barrett Campbell’s voice and presence.
Over the years, I came to appreciate Delois’ kind and genuine demeanor off-stage as well. I can recall seeing in Chicago several times. On one occasion, when I was a teenager, I saw her backstage at a gospel event after she had performed. She was heading home, clearly exhausted. As fans passed her in the hallway and waved, however, her eyes lit up and and her smile beamed, as if to say “I’ve still got enough energy for YOU.”
I’ve always been proud of Delois Barrett Campbell, which is funny considering that I’m much younger and wasn’t even alive for much of her battle to be all that she became in gospel music. But I’ve admired her presence, her tenacity, her ministry.
My favorite glimpse into her life came through a scene in the incredible documentary, Say Amen Somebody (if you enjoy gospel music, you MUST see this film… own it, even!). Delois is in the kitchen, preparing breakfast for her husband, who is the pastor of their local church. While talking about her upcoming European tour, he makes a comment that would had to have stung a bit, urging her to come off the road with her sisters and handle music for their local assembly. Full of grace and humility, but certain of her calling, she reminds him that traveling the world to minister the gospel through music has always been her dream– and that it’s happening. It’s a compelling moment!
She will be missed on Earth, but I’ll be glad to see her in Heaven. Let’s pray for her family during this time, as we thank God for her.
Below are some of my favorite performances by Delois Barrett Campbell with the Barrett Sisters.
Check them out and enjoy the incredible gift that God gave us in the incomparable Delois Barrett Campbell…
Barrett Sisters – “No Ways Tired” from Say Amen Somebody documentary
Barrett Sisters – “He Brought Us” from Say Amen Somebody documentary
Barrett Sisters – “I’ll Fly Away” from Going Home To Gospel w/ Patti LaBelle on PBS
I love great music. Even more, I love a great live performance. You’ve GOT TO be able to sing to pull it off and, if you can’t, it shows.
This year, a lot of great live performances were captured and broadcast across the nation. Then, folks uploaded ‘em to YouTube.
Here are my 5 FAVORITE televised performances of 2009, in order:
5. Donnie McClurkin & Karen Clark Sheard – “Wait On The Lord” at the 2009 Stellar Awards The first single from Donnie McClurkin’s anticipated project did not disappoint. Aside from being a soaring ballad with an encouraging message, it featured one of the greatest voices the gospel industry has ever heard– that of Karen Clark Sheard. The duo gave one of the most thrilling performances of this year’s Stellar Awards telecast, with Karen soaring into the rafters in a way that any music lover could appreciate (and die-hard KCS fans were simply drooling over).
4. Kirk Franklin, Myrna Summers, Milton Biggham – Tribute To Rev. Timothy Wright at the 2009 Stellar Awards
At the time, the late Rev. Timothy Wright’s health was on a roller coaster– good days followed by bad ones. Kirk Franklin produced a moving segment, blending some of his hits with classic songs from the incomparable “Godfather Of Gospel Music.” With featured appearances by Myrna Summers and Rev. Milton Biggham, Kirk’s set was an incredible tribute to an incredible man.
3. Fantasia & Diane Barrino - “He’s Done Enough” onBobby Jones Gospel
Everyone knows that Fantasia was ACTUALLY s’posed to have signed a gospel contract win she won American Idol. But 2009 finally brought a bunch of gospel performance opps for her and gospel consumers cannot get enough of her. In every case, her signature singin’ and squallin’ brought audiences to their feet and prompted one recurring question from gospel consumers – “when is FANTASIA gonna do a gospel album?!”
It kinda all began in the beginning of the year, when she was featured on BET’s Bobby Jones Gospel, with her mother, Diane Barrino. She ministered like a seasoned pro and gave a performance like only she can. Even more, she took the topic of her salvation off the table (though, it shouldn’t have been there to begin with) and demonstrated a real relationship with Jesus Christ.
2. Jessica Reedy – “Brighter Day” on BET’s Sunday Best
In my opinion, it was the most incredible performance of the entire season of BET’sSunday Best. Jessica stepped from possible underdog to frontrunner with one sweet, flawless, jazzy arrangement of Kirk Franklin’s “Brighter Day.” Channeling the style and finesse of Anita Baker, Jessica utterly floored the judges, Kirk Franklin and the viewing nation.
Though she’s not signed to a record deal yet, she promised ME she’d do her best to re-record THIS cut for her debut album.
1. Kim Burrell – “Bless Me (Prayer Of Jabez)” at the 2009 BMI Trailblazers Of Gospel Awards
Each year, one of the greatest events during Stellar Awards weekend is the BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Awards, at which gospel greats are honored with an award and tribute performances that are second to none. The most gifted vocalists and musicians in the industry participate and, often, attendees can only describe how good the show was by shaking their head in disbelief.
Enter Gospel Music Channel, which secured the rights to nationally broadcast the event for the first time. And what a year to do so– Kim Burrell performed “Bless Me (Prayer Of Jabez)” in tribute to honoree Donald Lawrence. The rest can only be stated by watching the video. LOL
Of course, I couldn’t pinpoint all of the great performances… there were too many. From Celebration Of Gospel, to the Stellar Awards, BMI Trailblazers Of Gospel Awards and Sunday Best, we saw some dynamic performances from some of the world’s most gifted musicians.
David Wright, son of the late Rev. Timothy Wright, will be installed as the new pastor of Grace Tabernacle Christian Center COGIC– the church founded and pastored by his father. The installation service is planned for this Sunday at the Brooklyn, NY church.
We can all imagine how huge this is for David Wright and the Wright family– to step into the place that you believe God has called you to be, while still feeling a very apparent and fresh void.
Let’s pray for him and the family, and the church body, in the transition!
So yeeeaaahhhh… Here’s the thing: I watched episodes of Clash Of The Choirs when it first aired on NBC over a year ago, cuz… well, Patti LaBelle was on it. And all things “Patti” generally get watched. It was something entertaining that required minimal commitment from me, which is always great.
I remember watching it on NBC and thinking “oh, right… this is what the world wants from a ‘choir’… something out of the movie Sister Act, where a group of people sing popular secular songs in harmony, and with cute choreography.”
So, when I heard that Gospel Music Channel was going to begin re-airing the series last week, I was surprised that they’d be co-signing on that. Now, to be fair, a lot of the songs are INSPIRING, but so is Extreme Makeover: Home Edition… ya got that in the line-up???
My point: FINE that GMC wants to air it, cuz I’m sure someone will be encouraged and inspired, which I’m not against. And no, they didn’t have to be singing Timothy Wright’s “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus” for me to think it’s legit. But please don’t take it as a “given” that, since it’s a CHOIR competition, it must be a good fit for Gospel Music Channel programming.
If you wanted to feature a choir competition, you SHOULD’VE gotten the rights to that How Sweet The Sound documentary that just aired on BET last weekend. Cuz THAT was good.
Anyway, if you haven’t seen the show, watch this clip and lemme know your first reactions.
The body of Rev. Timothy Wright was laid to rest yesterday following a weekend-long homegoing celebration fit for royalty. From day-long viewings to a stellar musical tribute in his honor, the gospel community– and the Christian community-at-large– celebrated the life and legacy of Rev. Wright.
He will be sorely missed, but we thank God for his life. Let’s CONTINUE to pray for the Wright family, folks. It has been a tremendously shocking and painful year for them.
This is the last part of the Timothy Wright Tribute Edition of Goodies posts. He’s got such an incredible catalogue of music that I can’t possibly include it all.
I could NOT, however, wrap this thing up without posting one of my absolute faves from him. Bump your speakers… here’s “Yes, I’m A Believer”:
To me, this was one of the greatest performances at this year’s Stellar Awards… all of us in the audience were on our feet, celebrating the great legacy of gospel music from Rev. Timothy Wright.
Kirk Franklin led the tribute, which also featured Myrna Summers and Rev. Milton Biggham. Enjoy:
Another gem from Rev. Timothy Wright… his career in gospel music spanned decades upon decades upon decades. He truly earned the title “Godfather of Gospel Music.”
Shout-out to loyal reader, luda, for this request. Here’s the downright churchy “You Must Come In At The Door”:
As I posted earlier, Rev. Timothy Wright passed away this morning. Click here for the full post.
This is a classic Timothy Wright tune… he REALLY helped to define what choir music sounds like today… and this is a throwback jam like nobody’s business.
Having grown up in Chicago, I’d always known of the Barrett Sisters and was familiar with their music. I enjoyed Rodessa Barrett Porter’s energy, was put at ease by Billie Barrett Greenbey’s smile and smooth tone and, of course, was blown away by the sheer power of Delois Barrett Campbell’s voice and presence.
