You know my favorite motto “Gotta love YouTube!” The reason for this posting today is numerous: Even though this is actually Barry’s special (and a great one at that, which I encourage to watch in its entirety) I wanted to focus in on his song set with Dionne Warwick. As Barry says in his intro Dionne=Class.

Just listen as the set unfolds and I especially love when Dionne and Barry are working out with just piano and vocals. That’s how a vocalist should work all of it out. Every vocalist should be able to play a little piano at least enough to get you from note to note. If you don’t/can’t then please for the rest of us work out with someone who can and that isn’t everyone… lots of people know how to play piano, but not everyone knows how to accompany. Barry Manilow had mastered this skill from all those years of working with singers before he became a recording artist. (more…)

Micah Stampley was right when he said people don’t really know how to classify his sound. There is not a lot of the “old school” organ and tambourine to be heard on One Voice so in that sense, it isn’t traditional. Actually, there is quite a bit of lead guitar and it has a pop feel at times. If any label can be given, then it’s probably contemporary gospel; simply meaning it’s the sound that’s happening in gospel music now. One thing IT’S NOT is watered down. And that IS refreshing. The listener doesn’t have to wait until the last track on this CD of 14 tracks to finally hear some key words that have seemingly gone MIA in gospel music, i.e. Jesus, God and Lord. He does not mumble or stumble over these words. In fact many of the lyrics of the songs are taken directly from Holy Scripture. The writing is strong, and the vocals are executed well, especially when you consider that Stampley never had formal vocal training.

One Voice can be summed up as a worship and praise CD. Almost every song declares praise unto God and/or is a call to worship. Tracks like “Shout” and “Hosanna” are reminiscent in style of songs by fellow worship leader and gospel artist, Israel Houghton. It probably isn’t a stretch to say that these songs will make their way into the praise and worship playlists at many churches across the country soon. “Desperate People” and “We Need The Lord” are perhaps statements about the world we live in today–”In times like these, we need the Lord.” If you want to listen to music that is not necessarily “churchy”, but is clearly God focused and sounds fresh all at the same time, then pick up One Voice.

Favorite tracks: “Desperate People”, “Crucified”, “Call of Love”

–KKC

Get One Voice here

http://www.micahstampley.org/

Check out Micah Stampley talking about One Voice below:

Music World Gospel/Interface Entertainment recording artist and international worship leader, Micah Stampley, will release his fifth CD, One Voice, in stores August 23, 2011. One Voice features 12 songs, including two interludes. The CD is produced by Micah Stampley and co-produced by Cameron Sankey. “Shout” and “Hosanna” will impact gospel radio in July. The title track, “One Voice” will impact INSPO and CCM radio in July. Read more…

Check out more Michael Stampley

Micah Stampley – One Voice by Stratus Digital Marketing

Please enjoy this Sunday selection. Live life, share love and be blessed.