Sunday Morning Music (6/27/21)
Happy Sunday friends—
I hope everybody’s settling into the weekend and enjoying some much needed downtime.
My in-laws have been here this weekend for our first visit since before COVID hit and we had some invigorating and thought-provoking conversations about gospel music in 2021. When I got up this morning to pull the playlist together, I reflected on the feelings about the “old” songs and sounds that we talked about.
“A Charge to Keep I Have,” written by Charles Wesley, closed every service that I can remember in my youth at New Covenant Holiness Church, with our pastor, Bishop Dancil, lining the hymn. I included Dr. D.J. Johnson’s recording of that hymn today with New Covenant in mind.
One of the themes of our conversation was about the timeless messages of the older songs—songs that have survived generations because they are not limited to a particular generational context. I think that most of the songs in this week’s list are related in that sense (despite crossing three decades): songs of hope and determination, pulled up from the experience of loss, despair, confusion and loneliness.
Closing the playlist is “When All Else Fails,” a somewhat hidden gem featuring Tramaine Hawkins. I first heard the song a few years ago via Edwin Hawkins’ Legacy Collection, but stumbled on the video of the song this weekend and it was like discovering the song all over again. If you haven’t yet, be sure to read my most recent feature on Tramaine here.
Thank you for reading and listening!