yolanda adams, donnie mcclurkin, smokie norful, the winans...they can all generally outsing 90% of the current crop of r&b singers by a mile. i know a lot of it has to do with the record industry placing more emphasis on "packaging" rather than raw talent--but dang...could imagine a nice adult contemporary jazz album yolanda? i know the winans dibble dabble in crossover music every now and then, but even they have seem to have gone back to strictly secular music. what does this say about the current stae of r&b/soul music? not very promising.

meltwithu said:

and have you heard Momma and papa winans sing...they could blow out any youngster today...


Gospel music still appreciates good singing. Its less about the "look" of the artist.

Aretha Franklin would only be a gospel artist today. She wouldn't have been able to cross-over.

I love the era of house music when it had loud and powerful gospel-like voices on it like Martha Wash. House music nowadays seems to be more acid and repetitive with hardly any singing in it. These gospel singers would be perfect for house music. If they absolutely insist on being a gospel singer, they could still have gospel lyrics, just over a fast paced genre like house to make it interesting. If church was more entertaining, I would go more often.

Yeah, I agree with Rhonda. It is all about image. But it works both ways. My favorite gospel artist ever is Tonex, this new kid who sounds and dresses like Prince. He's amazing, but church people like that Trading Spouses chick get so bound up cause he has a perm or a kilt on that they can't open up and listen to him. Less talented cats like Donnie McClurkin and Kirk Franklin get all the play. If anybody up here has a minute, you gotta check out his live CD Out The Box. Insane.

NO, BEYOENCÉ SIngs IN PUBLIC radiostations and THE word is she's rEALLY GOOD.

JENNIFER HOLLIDAY is my favorite gospel singer. I remember seeing her on Ally McBeal, where she gave a few GOOD performances. I have her 80s albums, but i think she was given poor material, although i like the song "this day".
I think her weight had a lot to do with it, that she was almost ignored by the somewhat shallow record industry

Icicle said:

Well, yes and no. Her standout hit "You're Gonna Love Me" is still really popular in cult, comedic references. The Fresh Prince sang it on his show at least twice...

"And i am telling you i`m not going" by J.H, is huge, and no one can sing it like her, she gave a better performace, vocally, than any other singer i can think of. She should have recorded a new album when she was on Ally McBeal, because i think people saw, or remembered what a talented vocalist she is.
Her voice fits gospel music well, a live gospel album would have been nice

Rhondab said:

Amen!

I played at B.B. King's this past Sunday as an opening act for Loose Ends (Hangin' On A String).
The act that went on before us was a contemporary gospel artist named Dominique.
This woman must have been between 400 and 500 pounds but sang her ass off.
And believe me, that was a helluva lot of singing. The crowd loved her.


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

Icicle said:

Her weight had a lot to do with it. They didn't want to do music videos for her, because she was so heavy.

Jennifer Holliday did record a Gospel album. I have it.

She also lost a lot of weight (before bypass surgery too, she did it by diet and exercise).

I saw her do a show she's writing about Bessie Smith.... it was only 1 act so far, but it was in a small theatre, just her and a piano. no mic.

I can't even describe what it was like..... amazing.

She really needs to record and perform more. it's impossible to find any info on what she's doing.

she is probably my favorite singer of all time

GaryMF said:

She's not doing a lot, because, unfortunately, she's gained a reputation of being very neurotic and difficult. Sad, because she's got a beautiful voice.

RipHer2Shreds said:

I know...that sucks....

I met her briefly in Atlanta.... I saw her do Dreamgirls there as part of a Black Arts Festival..... she was flawless of course.... but after i waited outside the stage door (to my bf's annoyance) and waited for her to come out and she did eventually and signed every single person's autograph request, and took pictures etc..... i have a pic of her with me. she was so gracious and nice.

i have a tape of her talk show appearances and she is always down to earth and gracious and seems like she is a great person.

of course, we don't know how she is in the studio etc. but it's hard to believe she is mean or bitchy. maybe she is just a perfectionist..... given her talent.

i just wish i could ifnd out where to see her again.

well.. they aren't in r&b...



I dont think i've enjoyed a r&b song in a long long time...


pity..

my girl dajae was denied a recording contract based on her looks....

such a shame cause she blows down the "house".

I found an interesting article/interview where she (Jennifer Holliday) talks about her life, and how her guest spot on Ally McBeal changed her life.
Enjoy...
http://www.baywindows.com...2031.shtml