Mace2theO Musicology Webcast #10a - Gospel

Mace2theO Webcast #10a - Gospel Plus (Xntd)

Maceo Musicology Webcast #10b (Gospel) by Mace2theo on Mixcloud

Time to wade in the water

Originally released 2 years ago, it has now been updated, EQ'd and extended with extra tracks that celebrate music of the Good Word.

Happy Easter!

Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as (in terms of the varying music styles) to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music.

Like other forms of Christian music the creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of gospel music varies according to culture and social context. Gospel music is composed and performed for many purposes, including aesthetic pleasure, religious or ceremonial purposes, and as an entertainment product for the marketplace. However, a common theme of most gospel music is praise, worship or thanks to God, Christ, or the Holy Spirit.

Gospel music in general is characterized by dominant vocals (often with strong use of harmony) referencing lyrics of a religious nature, particularly Christian. Subgenres include contemporary gospel, urban contemporary gospel (sometimes referred to as "black gospel"), Southern gospel, and modern gospel music (now more commonly known as praise and worship music or contemporary Christian music). Several forms of gospel music utilize choirs, use piano and/or Hammond organ, drums, bass guitar and, increasingly, electric guitar. In comparison with hymns, which are generally of a statelier measure, the gospel song is expected to have a refrain and often a more syncopated rhythm. (wiki)

“Anytime people sing about what they believe, it elevates it. You don’t have to be a junkie to enjoy The Velvet Underground song “Heroin”. You don’t have to have horns and a pitchfork to enjoy “Sympathy for the Devil” but it does help. The thing is, it’s all music, and when the people believe what they’re singing, it’s just that much better.” (Bob Dylan) ...thanks to Sal @ Burning Wood

Track list

1. Amazing Grace - Mahalia Jackson

The Queen of Gospel performs what is probably the most famous spiritual, which has been referred to as the African American national anthem. And it was written by a Brit from Wapping.

2. Amen    - The Soul Stirrers

The Soul Stirres have been around for quite a while, and peaked in fame when a then unknown Sam Cooke was the lead singer.  Their version of the classic covers several styles in

3. How I Got Over- Aretha Franklin

Recorded live at New Temple Missionary Baptist Church, los Angeles in 1972, the album this track is from - 'Amazing Grace'    - is the biggest selling album of Aretha's entire fifty year recording career. Betcha didn't know that. I didn't.

4. Can't Nobody Do Me Like Jesus - Beverly Crawford

A bit of a church stomp from this live recording of the Andraé Crouch penned classic

5. Oh Happy Day    The Edwin Hawkins Singers

"Oh Happy Day" is a 1967 gospel music arrangement of an 18th century hymn, recorded live in church. Featuring Dorothy Morrison on lead vocals, it was the first "cross over" hymn. It went into the US Top 5 and won a Grammy.  

6. Love Train  -  Holmes Brothers w/ Joan Osborne   

The Holmes Brothers are a vocal and instrumental trio who have recorded with folks like Van Morrison, Peter Gabriel and Willie Nelson. Here, Joan Osborne sings and produces their cover of the O'Jays classic.

7. Spread Love  -  Take 6

Take 6 is an American a cappella gospel music sextet who has recorded with everyone from Stevie Wonder to Don Henley.  Love this song. Funky with nothing but voices.    

8. Yeah    - Yolanda Adams

Yolanda was crowned by Billboard as the #1 Gospel artist of the 90's, and this little pop jam shows why. It was written by Mary Mary, who also performed badkground vocals.

9. Flood - Jars of Clay
Jars of Clay is a Christian rock band from Nashville, Tennessee. The sound on their debut album was characterized by a combination of drum loops and acoustic guitar strumming that would become an early trademark of the band. The song "Flood" became an unexpected hit on mainstream pop and alternative rock radio as well, resulting in a brief period of mainstream popularity for the band during which they toured with artists such as Sting, The Samples and Matchbox Twenty.  "Flood" was produced by former King Crimson guitarist Adrian Belew.

10. It`s Love - King`s X

King's X is an American hard rock band whose lyrics about struggles with religion and self-acceptance led to them being labeled a Christian band, which the band opposed (sorry fellas). They were managed and produced by Sam Taylor from ZZ Top's production company, who helped bring them into the rock world, where this song became their biggest mainstream hit.  

11. Stomp (Maceo's Remix) - God's Property

Funk-Gospel. P-Funk in the Church. No other way to describe this Kirk Frankin produced 1995 hit by the choir. The strength and success of the song made the album the highest charting gospel album ever on the US charts. Prince has covered this song in concert, but it often confused by the Brothers Johnson song with the same name.

12. Inside Us All - Creed
Creed's origins lie in Tallahassee, Florida, where founding members, vocalist Scott Stapp and guitarist Mark Tremonti had been classmates in high school and realized that they had a mutual love for writing music, some of which addressed themes of Christian theology and spirituality due to Stapp's religious background as the stepson of a Pentecostal dentist.  This is a non-single from their second album, Human Clay, which hit #1 on the Billboard pop charts.

13. Jesus is Love - The Commodores
I was introduced to The Commodores through their funk cuts like "Fancy Dancer" but they are better known today for their Lionel Ritchie ballads. At the height of their fame, they included this beautiful song on the album Heroes.  

14. I'll Take You There - The Staple Singers

Mavis, Cleotha, Yvonne and Pops had a #1 hit with this in 1972.  The musicians are the famed Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section and the Memphis Horns. 

15. Goin' Up Yonder - Tramaine Hawkins & the Walter Hawkins Singers

Ex-wife of Pastor Walter Hawkins (brother of Edwin), Tramaine has had a long career in both gospel and pop music.  She was a back up singer for Sly and the Family Stone, part of the soul group 'The Honey Cones' ("Want Ads") and was part of the Edwin Hawkins Singers on 'Oh Happy Day'.  This is the full version of her performing his classic hit, recorded live in church. 



Listen later  here

 

Webcasts #10a and #10b are linked as they were originally assembled at the same time, reflecting two periods in my life so this is my 'Lovesexy' - check out #10b my 'Black Album' here

Maceo Musicology Webcast #6 - New Orleans

Maceo Musicology Webcast #6 - New Orleans

Maceo Musicology Webcast #06 (New Orleans) by Mace2theo on Mixcloud

featuring the music of the Crescent City

New Orleans

"New Orleans is a major U.S. port and the largest city in the state of Louisiana.


New Orleans has always been a significant center for music, showcasing its intertwined European, Latin American, and African cultures. New Orleans' unique musical heritage was born in its pre-American and early American days from a unique blending of European instruments with African rhythms. As the only North American city to allow slaves to gather in public and play their native music (largely in Congo Square, now located within Louis Armstrong Park), New Orleans gave birth to an indigenous music: jazz. Soon, brass bands formed, gaining popular attraction that still holds today. The city's music was later significantly influenced by Acadiana, home of Cajun and Zydeco music, and Delta blues.

The terms "Mardi Gras" refer to events of the Carnival celebrations, beginning on or after Epiphany and ending on the day before Ash Wednesday. Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday" (in ethnic English tradition, Shrove Tuesday), referring to the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season, which started on Ash Wednesday. Popular practices included wearing masks and costumes, overturning social conventions, dancing, sports competitions, parades, etc.


The tradition has expanded to the point that it became strongly associated with the city in popular perception, and embraced by residents of New Orleans beyond those of French or Catholic heritage. Mardi Gras celebrations are part of the basis of the slogan, Laissez les bon temps rouler, (Let the good times roll) and the nickname 'Big Easy'." (wiki)

Ymaginatif at Entropy MC said:

And I listened to it this afternoon! - alone in the office

Great collection of surprisingly funky songs!! Of course, I should have expected, with Funkmeister Maceo having a hand in this, but somehow I had expected more of the mardi gras tinkly Allen Toussaint piano and clarinetty brass bands. Wrong again

I love the breath-taking musicianship throughout and the funky tuba really made me smile (Elvis Costello once made a funk song with a tuba - I considered him out of his mind, but now I see what he was trying to do!)

Tonight I subjected this Podcast to the highly critical ears of Mrs Y ...

You have to know, this is the very first podcast I've summoned the courage to do so! Maxim's podcasts might have been a bit too scary with the spooky voice, Purpleblues's might have been too bluesy, and I certainly wouldn't have played mine, because she would laugh outloud at my truly silly attempts at DJing. The Sound Of Scoop? Just not her style I think ...

But this one, this exuberant slice of piano, brass, and guitars music, topped off with Maceo's cool late-night voice ... this one I thought she might appreciate?

I waited for the right moment ... somewhat tired after a busy but fullfilling day. Good mood. Hannah joyfully playing by herself. A glass of white wine and the salmon frying in the kitchen. A few candles on (because the lamp isn't working). I carefully put the ipod in its player ... scrolled down to the section 'Maceo' and clicked play ...

The intro raised a few eye-brows (I have to admit ), but when the piano suddenly came in and switched to a swinging version of 'When The Saints Go Marchin' In', I saw that everything was alright! Hannah started dancing along (while at the same time making a drawing) and ... Eva liked it.

Halfway through she even commented that she really liked the music - and that she thought Maceo's voice really sounded like a professional DJ's!

Yes! Success!!!

Anyway – all this to say: this is a really good podcast! I keep listening to it, and it should be compulsary listening material for every single Entropy member here!

Tracklist, with special thanks to Sal at Burning Wood

1. When the Saints Go Marching In - Sidney Bechet
A classic with the great Sidney Bechet on clarinet.

2. My Dawlin' New Orleans - Little Queenie & The Percolators
A more modern sound, this track was eventually featured on the tv show "Treme"

3. Shake What Your Mama Gave You - Henry Butler & Corey Harris
This little gem breaks current blues stereotypes in a number of ways. First of all, by being all-acoustic and without a rhythm section.  With Harris bring the acoustic blues feel and Butler bringing the jazz piano, this 2000 original sounds as if it was written in the 1930s.

5. Groove Me -         King Floyd
At first, "Groove Me" was a B-side to another Floyd song, "What Our Love Needs." New Orleans radio DJ's started playing "Groove Me" and the song became a local hit. The bass line is a master class in the use of space.

6. Ocean -         Bonerama
The trombone and tuba were definitely not cool instruments when I was growing up, but here they are weapons of funk.  Here is the brass rock funk group Bonerama covering a funky Led Zepplin track.

7. Right Place, Wrong Time - Dr. John
My 1st exposure to New Orleans through the Top 40.  Still the jam.

8. Louisiana 1927   -   John Boutté
My apologies to both Mr Boutte for mispronouncing his name and to Randy Newman for not knowing he wrote this timely tune. 

9. Kooks On Parade   -  Stanton Moore
This is what Madhouse would have sounded like if it had been a couple of New Orleans jazz musicians. Features Stanton Moore on drums

10.Zydeco Mardi Gras  -  C.J. Chenier
C. J. Chenier is the son of the Grammy Award winning "King of Zydeco", Louisiana musician, Clifton Chenier. Chenier followed in his father's footsteps, and led his father's band as an accordion performer of Zydeco, a blend of Cajun and Creole music. Here is some Zydeco funk.

11.Best Ain't Good Enuff  -  Jon Cleary
12.So Damn Good -   Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen
Two track from Jon Cleary, who is a funk and R&B pianist and guitarist based in New Orleans for the last 20 years, but originally from Cranbrook in Kent, England.  The 1st cut is an acappella track and the 2nd features his funky band, The Absolute Monster Gentlemen.

13. If Serving God Is Wrong   -   Rev. J. Cheeks
Based on the soul classic "If Loving You is Wrong, I don't want to be Right", it's now time to go church

14. Mr. Big Stuff  -  Jean Knight
Recorded as the same Stax sessions as "Groove Me" and sampled by Heavy D, Queen Latifah, TLC and others, this was big crossover hit for New Orleans born Ms Knight.

15. Rockin Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu - Huey "Piano" Smith
I grew up with the Johnny Rivers version (he of "Secret Agent Man" fame), so it was great to turned on to the original.




Listen later Here