June 11. 1986, Portland Observer. Page 7
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Black Gospel Music: The Call and the Response
RELIGIONUPDATE
b\ Dee Armstrong
Bouncing Back
U jlkm g with our Lord is a day by day process And sometimes along this
tourney a* we walk its nano» path we may stumble. slip and even fall Don't
despair, don’t give up for our heavenly lather » ith Jesus and the Holy Spirit is a
present help
Have you ever had an experience »Ik-re something didn't go right lor you or
perhaps to your liking ’ Maybe, you have hcen slowtull in your promises to the
l.ord such as. forsaking to joining yourself together »ith the body of believers
(going to church) as the scriptures has said Not having a meaningful prayer life
Not allowing enough lime lor your daily Bible reading Whatsoever the situation
may be let us not lorget that (rod is merciful and ready to forgive
In the Ne» Testament Paul the apostle shares words ol encouragement to us » ho
may need a dose of "you can make it" in the F.ptstle Io the Hebrews 12th chapter
says, "Wherefore seeing »e also are compassed about »ith so great a cloud ol
witnesses, let us lay aside every »eight, and the sin » hich doth so easily beset us.
and let us run with patience the race that is set before us "
W ake up anil shake your spiritual mind, for all sin is not unto (spiritual) death
In »horn we have redemption thrivugh his blood, the forgiveness of sins,
according to the riches of his grace And you hath he quickened, »ho »ere dead in
trespasses and sins Hut ( kid. » ho is rich in mercy. lor his great love where»ith he
loved us. even when »e »ere dead in sins" — remember »hat you »ere before
you allowed God Io come into your life When I think back how I was so empty
inside try mg to keep a smile on my lace in and out of the local bars sick » ith sin. oh
I can't help but retoice in knowing that Christ hath quickened us together and the
scripture says bv grace ye are saved '' And hath raised us up together, and made us
sit together in heavenly places m Christ Jesus That in the ages to come he might
show the exceeding riches ol his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ
Jesus lo r by grace are ye saved through faith, it is the gift of G od'" Don't give up'
Hold your head up ask for forgiveness and keep on stepping
This Week’s I pdate
W ith Food For Thought
"I waited patiently lor the Lord, and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry He
brought me up also out ol a horrible pit, out ol the miry clay . and set my leet upon a
rock, and established my goings And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even
praise unto our God Manv shall see H. and tear, and shall trust in the I ord Psalm
40:1 .1
Hv /Vg.gv I migrali
Smithsonian Vrw v S en n e
Ihe concert hall is packed The house lights go down as a young man and
woman step into the w arm light on stage Casually. the piano player lets htv fingers
llow over the- keys, releasing a magically beautiful cascade of notes As the singers
begin to blend their rich voices into the sound, a tide ol appreciative murmurs rises
around ihe nxmi
"A m en '" "Y es, Lord!"
Sacred music with a bounce, the gospel sound can raise the roof. For listeners
worldwide, in church vw theater, gospel's electrify tng, adventurous harmonies and
visceral rhvthms are an tmprosisalion.il delight
I he need to speak out and he heard is the essence ol gospel music, and for black
Atnertc aits, c hurches once pios tiled the only established outlet for creative ex pres
sion (iospel music has its roots in holiness and sanctified churches of the rural
South, says Horace Hover, gospel musicologist and curator at the Smithsonian's
National Museum ol American History in Washington, D C In those churches, at
the turn ol the ccnlurv. ancient African musical traditions
call and response,
hand clapping, improvisation and spirit possession
intensified religious lervor
Ihese customs would give gospel its special emotional appeal
Today. gospel has hecome a major form of 20th century American music
Black and related white styles account fix 7 percent ol I' S record sales A just
ahead ol classical and jazz I he gospel spirit has influenced jazz, blues, soul, rock
and other |x>pulat music, even country and Broadway Ihe style's "m essage"
songs hace struck a response on college campuses, and its musical complexity has
generated entirely new perceptions in conservatories of music steeped in Western
I uropean theory
How this once unwritten rural music has evolved is a subject scholars and
musiiians explore in an ongoing senes of hl.uk gospel concerts and colloquia at
the Smithsonian Institution
New church songs, some including traces ol the "sorrow songs" that grew up
anonvmuslv among groups of slaves, began Io he written down atlcr emancipa
lion As ho,x- arose lot black people, these songs were transformed by individual
composeis into livelier, mote ihvlhmual forms The music came lo he called
"gospel because its nature and impact were tell lo be the truth
Ihomas Andrew Dorsev. horn in Ajlla Rica, Ga . is known as Ihe lather of
gospel music At 87. the now hail Dorsev is still the leading light ol the Chicago
gospel milieu he created Raised in Atlanta by deeply religious parents, he often
heard tlx- old tainiliat by inns ol I ngltsh theologian Isaac W alls At age 12. Dorsey
was wotkme as a walet boy it the circus w hen tamed evangel 1st Billy Sunday came
lo Atlanta to conduct a revival on the circus grounds
Some folks could only sec the drama in Ihe revival as Sunday would pull oft his
coat and loosen his collar m the summertime heat, selling oil holler* of "A m en"
and Halleluiah But the voting Dorsey was profoundly impressed by Sunday's
religious tivoi ami by the trombone playing ot his accompanying musician.
H o iiic i Ri'.ulhca'ci
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Holy Convixalton of the First Jurisdiction. Churches ol Gixl in Christ lor
the state ol Oregon will convene through June 15. 1986 at Grealet Mt Calvary
C O ( i l C , located at I2M N I Kilhngsworth Street The public is welcome
I he March tor Excellence scheduled tor June Xth was postponed The rv
scheduled lime is lor July the 27th There will be another announcement ol this
event at a later date
North Portland Bible College will lx- in celebration ol its 19X6 Achievement
Awards Friday June I Ith I here will be a fellowship reception at 6 U) p m at
Maranatha ( hurch Guest speaker will he Rev Ric Danner Special congratula
lions to Sister Jean Boswell and Sister Burnetta Holder w ho w ill receive their Bible
Certificates lor completion in the study ol the Bible
Public Service Announcement
Lull Gospel Pentecostal Association w ill hold its 17th National June Convention
On Sunday. June I 5th through June 22nd. 19X6 at Emanuel Temple Church. Pastor
Bishop A A Wells. 10,2 N Sumner. Portland. Oregon 97217. call 287-222,
1 here will he morning and afternoon sessions beginning at 10 a m and I p lit
Evening sessions will begin at 7 p in nightly Delegates will be gathering Irom
around the country for this annual lime of learning, praising, reporting, rejoicing
and more!!! Portland, a warm invitation is extended to you
First N.W. Couples Conference
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ALLEN TEMPLE CME CHURCH
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C o rn e r o f 8th end S k id m o re
Sunday School 9 1 5 a m
Sunday Worship 11 00 • m
Chnetten Youth fellowship 6 0 0 p m
(second and fourth Sundays)
P h illip S N elso n (P a sto r)
A Public Service of the Portland Observer
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Albina Ministerial Alliance
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284 6023
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Dun Vann
Mt Mt* UR
Dorsey now committed himself exclusively to gospel
writing, traveling,
directing, even forming his own publishing house SA ith rxxktng, hopeful music,
lie and his energetic assistant, singer Sallic Martin, "livened up" black congrega
lions, from shabby store front to large established churches "Sallic Martin would
travel in advance ot a concert date, Bernice Johnson Reagon, director of the
Smithsonian s Black American I ulture program, says "Arriving in town, she
would visit choirs and teach them dorsev's songs At concert lime, the audience
would ihen fx- lull ot local ihint members who would buy the sheet music lo add to
their repertoires."
An ever growing number of gifted performers lent then individuality to IX x -
sey s songs and created new songs of their own Two distinct types ol gospel
groups developed. Boyer explains quartet and "gospel "
I lx- unique sonority of such a cappella men's groups as the ( iolden Iiale Quartet
and the Soul Stirrers comes from the harmonic tradition ol the barber shop quartet
I fx- groups i.died "gospel,” among them the Irailhla/tng Roberta Martin Singers
and ( lara Ward Singers, were originally made up ot choirs ol women only,
accompanied on Ihe piano
Men in quartets, who usually weat business suits or tuxedos, often slap their
thighs in time with the music. Die women in "gospel" groups, wearing choir
rohes. may clap their hands lor rhythmic accentuation or sway hypnotically in
unison, and the timbre ot their rich treble sotcings can shift from fiery shrill to a
raspy growl or wordless moan as emotion takes them
Ihe printed version of a gospel song is a mere skeleton." Boyet says "It
becomes tlx- responsibility ot the ,xatformcr to bring the song to hie " I isteners
w ill shout out then approval lor the subtlest change in tunc, lime ot haintony sung
with heartfelt emotion They may respond with a "Yes. Lord," "W ell," " O h 'o r
"You know!"
I he great soloist Mahalia Jack son. w ho w as in v tied to sing at the inauguration ol
John E Kennedy. was the first performer lo hung sacred gospel music to a national
audience "Sister" Rosetta Tharpe. bowing lo promoters' pleas, began lo share
het unique old time gospel sty le with chutch and nightclub alike, opening up a new
era tor gos,x-l Contemporary styes in ,xipular music now augment the gospel
sound, and many ot tixlay’s performers are equally at home nt church, theater,
films or on television This is as true tor traditional singer James Cleveland, who
was the first loadd choirs to his programs, and Shirley Caesar w ith het evangelistic
style as it is lor content,xirary gospel composer Andrae Crouch anil such popular
groups as the Mighty Clouds ot Joy
(ios,x-l s wide appeal can he judged hy the success ol Ihomas Dorsey's
much loved song. ' lake My Hand. Precious Lord " I he song has been translated
into more than M) languages and recorded by virtually every prolesvion.il gospel
singer, black or while
I rue to its nature, gospel continues to evolve, made contemplative ot lively by
thousands ot folks singing out in their own original styles
“ Movable Feast’’
Sun River Resort near Bend, Oregon, is the setting lor the first Northwest
Couples Conference sponsored by Maranatha Church. Portland, Oregon I he
Conference. scheduled tor October 2 4. w ill feature Di ( ieorge McKinney of San
Diego as the main speaker and Frank and Bunny Wilson ol I os Angeles as
workshop facilitators
I he purpose ol the conference is to help couples real linn their oneness in ( hnsi
and renew their commitment to each other
Ihe format includes morning and evening sessions, altemoon workshops,
fellowship, plus tune to enjoy the recreational activities found at Sun River
Dr (ieorge McKinney w ill be the speaker lor Ihe morning and evening sessions
He is a pastor, teacher and author ol the fxx>k ( hrnltmi M m rm ^
l/i h z<>Z / tilth
mu! ( bminilmenl which is widely used as a hxil for marriage counseling
Frank and Bunny Wjlson, workshop facilitators, have been counseling couples
Ihe past eight years
Those desiring more information can contact Maranatha Church at 2X8 7241
and ask lor Donald Warren, conference coordinator Confirmation deadline is
September I. |9Xb
I he idea lor Ihe conference »as horn lour years ago out ol a desire lor married
couples to have a time to get away from daily obligations and spend lime together
learning ol ways to enhance their relationship in a refreshing atmosphere
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I he Soul Stirrers, one of the first gospel quartets, w as organized in the late
1920s I he young Sam ( iHik. seen at lelt in 1955, would go on to perform
on the Ed Sullivan .Show . becoming one of the first hlai k popular singers to
enjoy national attention.
I his I "s6 |.hoto of tin ( l Ha AA ird Singers show s ( lara standing She «ax
known tor her ilr.iin.itn flair I hi- group toured extensively, singing in
churches, vihoolv ami theaters ami heljx-d identify the mixlern sound ot
women gos|x-l singers
Dorsev becanx- a hiehlv sophisticated blues musician before he dedicated his
talents to gos,x*l He maslctcd several musical instruments w title still a child and in
his teens hx-gan plav mg blues and ragtime At ihe time, thousands ol black people
were moving to tlx- North, taking their songs anil music with them, then adapting
tlx’iii to city hie Doise-v s family headed to ( Imago, ami there ihe young man
became a |azz and blues compiset anil arranger As Georgia lo rn,'' he played
piano tot ihe renowned blues artist (x'rtrude Ma Rainey
But Dotsev loved ihe songs ol an earlv gospel composer, Charles A Ttndle^,
pastoi ol the Philadelphia Methixlisl church that now hears his name Spread
mainly by word ol mouth. 11 nil ley s coiiqxisilious incorporated folk images,
proverbs anil hiblii a I allusions t jinihar to black e hurch goers His he si loved song.
Stand Bv Me. lor example, has a standard gospel form echoing both the fervor
ot a spinlii.il and Ihe inusn.il piedlctahihly ol a Watts hymn
AAtxm the storm ot hie ate (aging, stand hv me.
When the storms ol hie ate raging, stand by me.
When Ihe world is tossing me.
I ike a ship upon the sea.
I fiou who rulest wind and water, stand hv me
In 1921, Dotscy heard pioneering gospel singer A W N n sing "I Do. Don't
You’ alllx-hlaik National Baptist Convention in Chicago He was so moved that
he decided lo devote his hie to composing and singing gospel music But as the
Smithsonian s Boyer notes, "Dorsey found if less than easy lo exchange his
flainorous past lot the status ol a gospel singer and composer, unwelcome at Ihe
mote affluent black churches ami unnoticed hv publishers interested primarily in
ragtime ami |azz
Although Dotsey s tunes hail a rixking heal that must churches wouldn't
countenance, lx- went on composing gospel music Irving to live in two musical
woilds. he continued to woik w uh Ma Rainey ami others until, in 192b. he suffered
a nervous breakdown
Dorsev lav ill lor two years During this tune, inspired by the sudden death of a
young neighbor, he w tote the song that would hecome his first gospel hit, "II You
See My Savior, lell Him I hat Aon Saw Me " He borrowed $5 and mailed 500
copies to churches throughout the country Ihrec years passed before he got a
single order But in I9.W. at the Jubilee Session ot the Baptist Convention in
Chicago, a young gitl with a powerful voice pul his song across lo loud acclaim
Dorsev s future was set
Movable least, a non sexist, worship celebration will lx- held at Mallory
Avenue Christian Church, Sunday at ) DO This is the fourth m asertesol services
held on the 2nd Sunday ot each month that explores inclusive, creative approaches
to worship "Movable l easts" are sponsored oy the Standing Women's Commit
lee ol I i umenii a I Ministries of (fregon I v ervone is welcome Lor more in lor ma
Don call (501) 288 5171
Soul Saving and Healing Revival
A live night revival, a soul saving and healing revival Bong the sick. come one.
come all, you are welcome, beginning June 22nd-26m 19X6 Conducted by Queen
Ester Jones from Dallas. Texas, a great evangelist, 8 p m nightly Dr I J ('rear
is the pastor Phone 249 X49I
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