PRAYZEHYMN Online | where gospel music lives [Golden Grams]

By J. MATTHEW COBB
Founder, Editor-In-Chief of PRAYZEHYMN Entertainment
Posted: February 12, 2007

YOLANDA ADAMS receives her GRAMMY victory in 2002 for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album for "The Experience".

There is no award show quite like the GRAMMYS. For over forty-nine years, the mega award ceremony and celebration organized by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences continues to promote excellence in music and ultimately award artists that work tirelessly and have performed outstanding achievements in the record industry. And for a number of those years, the Recording Academy has acknowledged the wonderful achievements and successes of gospel music - dating all the way back to 1961. Mahalia Jackson was honored with the Best Gospel Or Other Religious Recording award for her legendary recording of "Everytime I Feel The Spirit". Since that date, the Academy has morphed and altered the award categories; opening room for diversity and change in the field of gospel music. With the various movements of traditional, contemporary and urban gospel and the many other sub-genres of gospel music (Contemporary Christian, etc.) making its cycle of transfigurations over the years, the GRAMMYs has wisely documented those changes in history and has awarded those that work towards fulfilling the mandate of performing great music.

A lot has transpired since 1961 and we have so graciously laid down a few pointers and important albums in the history of gospel music victories at the GRAMMY Awards. Most of the albums with summaries and pictures mentioned in this GOSPEL 101 reflection are available on compact disc, but there are a good number of albums that are very difficult in locating and are probably resting in record shops across the globe. Because of those factors, we have placed the difficult albums in the below blue bracket. That should end some of the mystic confusion that is bound to circulate this page. So go ahead, dig into the wealth of information and experience these GRAMMY winners like never before.


ALBERTINA WALKER Songs Of The Church - Live In Memphis (Benson/Verity)	1994 BEST TRADITIONAL SOUL GOSPEL ALBUM 37th Annual GRAMMY Awards The comeback album most gospel lovers didn't expect. Along with a great list of friends including O'landa Draper's Associates Choir providing background and original Caravan members Shirley Caesar and Dorothy Norwood making a rare guest appearance on the soulful "I'm Goin' On With Jesus", Albertina Walker is definitely in her traditional gospel element and works a number on the infectious foot-stompers ("Don't Let Nobody Turn You Around", "Where Could I Go?") and touching ballads ("Joy Will Come", "Oh Lord Remember Me").
TRAMAINE HAWKINS Live (Sparrow)	1990 BEST TRADITIONAL SOUL GOSPEL ALBUM 33rd Annual GRAMMY Awards Anchored by the loveable duet with Walter Hawkins on "The Potter's House", this treasured collection presents Tramaine Hawkins on stage - delivering her powerful belting and memorable performances on fresh material that flows from engaging jazz to a churchy version of R&B. The twenty-four minute medley of Hawkins' favorite signature cuts can also be located here, but the biggest drawing cards here is Walter Hawkins' "Stand Still And Know", Carlos Santana's appearance on "Lift Me Up" and the rousing finale' of "Praise The Name Of Jesus" Straight up church.
HEZEKIAH WALKER & THE LFT CHURCH CHOIR Love Is Live! (Verity)	2001 BEST GOSPEL CHOIR OR CHORUS ALBUM 44th Annual GRAMMY Awards There's a little bit of everything here. Ol' skool (listen to Kervy Brown belt on "Lord Do It"), new skool and cool skool. But Pastor Hezekiah Walker's choir delivers an engaging set of uptempo jams that best sums up what he embodies mostly in the music world. Songs like "Thank You, You Died For Me", "The Battle", "Wait On God", "I Thank God" and the jubilant remake of "I'm A Newborn Soul" brings excitement and high-octane energy back to the choir stand.
BEBE & CECE WINANS Different Lifestyles (Capitol)	1991 BEST CONTEMPORARY SOUL GOSPEL ALBUM 34th Annual GRAMMY Awards Using the successful methods of their previous works while making a juicy leap into more in-depth crossover richness, BeBe & CeCe Winans orchestrate with the help of producer Keith Thomas a powerful project filled with a number of chart-topping hits. "Addictive Love", "It's O.K." and the moving arrangement of "I'll Take You There" (also featuring Mavis Staples) were all heavy buzz songs - played on both urban gospel and R&B radio. There's a lot to like and appreciate about this album and it shows the duo delivering engaging music at the zenith of their career.
REV. JAMES CLEVELAND & THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY CHOIR Having Church (Savoy)	1990 BEST GOSPEL CHOIR OR CHORUS 33rd Annual GRAMMY Awards The very last recording of the King of Gospel proved to be one of his finer achievements released. While he's much older and appears less on this project, the Southern California Community Choir delivers tantalizing soul singing in the richness of traditional gospel music. Songs like "Somehow I Made It", "God Lead His Children", "I'm Saved" and the spirited ballad "What Shall I Do"all play a significant part in shaping this album's unbreakable image.
ANDRAE' CROUCH I'll Be Thinking Of You (Light)	1979 BEST SOUL GOSPEL PERFORMANCE, CONTEMPORARY 22nd Annual GRAMMY Awards This colorful collection, capturing such hits as the funky "Jesus Is Lord", the social-uplifting "There's No Hatred", the adult contemporary-flavored title cut, and the disco-tinged "I've Got The Best", revealed to the masses that Andrae' Crouch was more than just an artist that could identify with gospel music, but with music in general. He explores a chunkful of musical styles here and places these tunes on a clean production that still stands the test of time.
ARETHA FRANKLIN One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism (Arista)	1988 BEST SOUL GOSPEL PERFORMANCE, FEMALE 31st Annual GRAMMY Awards Attempting to recreate the success of the GRAMMY-winning "Amazing Grace" (1972) while pushing towards a fresher gospel direction, Aretha Franklin delights listeners with this penetrating soulful project filled with churchy goodies. "Oh, Happy Day" is revisited, while "Walk In The Light", "Jesus Hears Every Prayer", the fast-paced "Higher Ground", "The Lord's Prayer" and her soaring delivery on "Ave Maria" boasts with sanctified greatness.
GOD'S PROPERTY God's Property from Kirk Franklin's Nu Nation (Fo Yo Soul)	1997 BEST GOSPEL CHOIR OR CHORUS ALBUM 40th Annual GRAMMY Awards An in-your-face fresh update of contemporary gospel music - made especially for the choir. The Texas-based choir delivers a stunning debut (and also their last) with famed producer/songwriter Kirk Franklin and experiment with varied musical urban styles ranging from smooth R&B to 90's hip-hop. Heavyweight selections include the mega-hit "Stomp (Remix)", "My Life Is In Your Hands", the soaring "More Than I Can Bear", "Love" and the smooth glows of "Sweet Spirit".
AL GREEN The Lord Will Make A Way/Higher Plane (Myrrh/Hi)	1981 BEST SOUL GOSPEL PERFORMANCE, TRADITIONAL 24th Annual GRAMMY Awards 1982 BEST SOUL GOSPEL PERFORMANCE, CONTEMPORARY 25th Annual GRAMMY Awards Hi Records re-released a double collection of both of these GRAMMY winners. What a beautiful sight. To hear the king of 70's soul music breathe so much depth and life into such gospel classics as "The Lord Will Make A Way", "Too Close", "Pass Me Not" and deliver on original numbers such as the disco-tinged "Where Love Rules", the funky-bluesy "In The Holy Name Of Jesus", "The Old Rugged Cross" and "Saved" is something no gospel lovers shouldn't forsake.
BEN HARPER & THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA There Will Be A Light (Virgin)	2004 BEST TRADITIONAL SOUL GOSPEL ALBUM 47th Annual GRAMMY Awards One of the Academy's sure winners, this album digs into the deep roots of Southern blues and Ben Harper's well-known reggae/rock sound and is a landmark recording for the legendary Blind Boys of Alabama. While Clarence Fountain take somewhat of a backseat to Ben Harper (since he is probably the accredited force on this record), the album doesn't feel unbalanced or too forceful. It's just right for both of the groups. Songs like "Take My Hand", a remake of Bob Dylan's "Well, Well, Well", "Satisfied Mind" and the title cut all are wonderfully executed.
KIRK FRANKLIN The Nu Nation Project (Interscope/GospoCentric)	1998 BEST CONTEMPORARY SOUL GOSPEL ALBUM 41th Annual GRAMMY Awards One of Kirk Franklin's most respected works, "The Nu Nation Project" is a refreshing exhibit of gospel manifestations in an engaging urban format. Here we have the inspirational hit "Lean On Me" (not the Bill Withers tune) featuring remarkable voices such as Mary J. Blige, Bono, R. Kelly and Crystal Lewis, then there's "Something About The Name Jesus" featuring Men of Standard and Rance Allen delivering some of the greatest soulful energy on record. Other gems include "Revolution" and "Blessing In The Storm".
SHIRLEY CAESAR Stand Still (Word)	1993 BEST TRADITIONAL SOUL GOSPEL ALBUM 36th Annual GRAMMY Awards The First Lady of Soul has won a great number of GRAMMY Award for her memorable albums, but "Stand Still" may be her most lasting and promising collection of them all. Shirley Caesar delivers her joyful and soulful vocals on studio and live recorded tracks. And there's plenty to talk about here - including the engaging title cut (featuring John P. Kee), the irresistible sounds of "The Sun Is Going To Shine Again", O'landa Draper's "Just As I Am" and the emotional "You Did It All".
SOUNDS OF BLACKNESS The Evolution of Gospel (Perspective/A&M)	1991 BEST GOSPEL CHOIR OR CHORUS ALBUM 34th Annual GRAMMY Awards With superstar producers and songwriters Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis creating most of the album's definite highlights, this album couldn't be anymore enjoyable. On this debut of the Minneapolis-based aggregation, mega-crossover dance sensations "Testify", "The Pressure, Pt. I" and the popular "Optimistic" (all featuring Ann Nesby on lead vocals) becomes the definite center of attraction. But there's a lot of foundational gospel here including "Your Wish Is My Command", "We Give You Thanks" and a moving remake of "I'll Fly Away".
HEZEKIAH WALKER & THE LOVE FELLOWSHIP CRUSADE CHOIR Live In Atlanta At Morehouse College (Benson/Verity)	1994 BEST GOSPEL CHOIR OR CHORUS ALBUM 37th Annual GRAMMY Awards An excellent caption of 90s contemporary gospel, Hezekiah Walker takes his Love Fellowship Crusade Choir on the road to Atlanta, Georgia ro record this profound collection of infectious gospel music. BeBe Winans guests on "He's On Your Side" and Commissioned jumps in towards the end of "I Will Go In Jesus Name". But there's so much more to look into here: "Make It To That City" is a bright church number, "Let The Glory" is a thirteen-minute epic masterpiece, "Love Lifted Me" is full of fun and excitement and "Calling My Name" is one of Hezekiah Walker's most memorable ballads.
YOLANDA ADAMS Mountain High...Valley Low (Elektra)	1999 BEST CONTEMPORARY SOUL GOSPEL ALBUM 41th Annual GRAMMY Awards Yolanda Adams takes on fresher, mainstream sounds with Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and Keith Thomas on board as producers while holding on to her fan base with elements of her contemporary gospel foundation. This surprising adventure arguably is her finest project to date. And with such songs such as "Open My Heart", "Fragile Heart", "The Things We Do", "Whereever You Are" and the soaring gospel deliveries on Kevin Bond's "In The Midst Of It All" and Richard Smallwood "That Name", this album possesses the richness and qualities of a genuine record bubbling with purpose.
SANDRA CROUCH We Sing Praises (Light)	1983 BEST SOUL GOSPEL PERFORMANCE, FEMALE 26th Annual GRAMMY Awards The twin sister of gospel legend Andrae Crouch steps into her own element with this electrifying collection of ageless gospel music. Captured here are remarkable gems set to a traditional church-oriented singing including the powerful gospel anthem "He's Worthy", "We Need To Hear From You", "Holy Spirit" and the favored opener "Magnify The Lord With Me". Definitely a great mix of styles that promises to satisfy fans of Andrae' Crouch and Walter Hawkins.
VARIOUS ARTISTS Handels' Messiah: A Soulful Celebration (Warner Alliance)	1992 BEST CONTEMPORARY SOUL GOSPEL ALBUM 35th Annual GRAMMY Awards Developed to educate the modern generations of the influence and genius of G.F. Handel and his infamous oratorio "Messiah", this collection is set to soul, R&B, house, jazz, classical and gospel elements and the chemistry is brilliantly sown together. "Hallelujah", the finale, is the ultimate winner here. A lengthy list of singers including Dianne Reeves, Al Jarreau, Stevie Wonder, Take 6, Richard Smallwood Singers, Tramaine Hawkins, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Patti Austin, Sounds of Blackness, Howard Hewett and the Clark Sisters give this album a gigantic stamp of approval.
ARETHA FRANKLIN Amazing Grace (Atlantic)	1972 BEST SOUL GOSPEL PERFORMANCE 15th Annual GRAMMY Awards Gospel audiences were completely thrilled with this legendary collection of traditional gospel music filled with favorite standards, amusing arrangements and some of Aretha Franklin's greatest performances ever. The Lady of Soul doesn't compromise her faith at all on this brilliant record and delivers on cuts including Inez Andrews' "Mary Don't You Weep", Carole King's "You've Got A Friend", "Wholy Holy" and the soulful "How I Got Over". Rev. James Cleveland and the Southern California Community Choir also provide background support.
MIGHTY CLOUDS OF JOY Changing Times (Epic/Sony)	1979 BEST SOUL GOSPEL PERFORMANCE, TRADITIONAL 22nd Annual GRAMMY Awards The Mighty Clouds have delivered a number of great albums, but this GRAMMY winner stands the test of time with its enjoyable mix of 70s R&B, infectious traditional gospel and disco soul. "I've Been In The Storm Too Long", one of Joe Ligon's most popular signature cuts, appears here along with Dr. Margaret Douroux's "We're Blessed", "What About The Price" and the spunky title cut. This is a very refreshing album that doesn't grow weary on the ears.
MARY MARY Thankful (Columbia)	2000 BEST CONTEMPORARY SOUL GOSPEL ALBUM 43rd Annual GRAMMY Awards The amazing debut from this talented duo stormed the country with its rich formula of crossover appeal and its infectious assembly of hip-hop influence and urban contemporary gospel-particularly with the big single "Shackles (Praise You)", "Can't Give Up Now" and "Somebody". It is usually true that the Academy tries not to award very fresh talent - but the fruit and spirit on this excellent creation proves that Mary Mary deserve to be recognized for their labors. Part of the creative process was renowned producer Warryn Campbell.

OTHER VALUABLE RESOURCES TO LOOK INTO:
We perish because of the lack of knowledge. Get schooled.

GRAMMY.com - The official website of the GRAMMYs.
Gospel 101: The Official Gospel Timeline - Go back in time. From the birth of Gospel music to its present. Including dates, time periods, detailed information and coverage on multiple important subjects related to the Gospel music genre.
Gospel 101: PRAYZEHYMN's MIA's - Another hearty PRAYZEHYMN Exclusive. This extension of the Gospel's Church Directory focuses on some of the most energetic and charismatic churches across America that features outstanding music ministries. Check it out.
80's Countdown - The top fifty gospel songs of the 1980s have been assembled. See who made the list.
PRAYZEHYMN's Mastercards - Albums that have stood the test of time...and are just perfect. Featuring full reviews.