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Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Shirley Caesar’s ‘A City Called Heaven’ is a melting pot of Gospel selections

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*“I love this song and I love singing about Heaven,” Pastor Shirley Caesar said about the title of her latest CD project on Shu-Bel/Light Records. “I love singing about my future home…I put something for everyone.”

One thing I can say for Shirley Caesar and that is she is always willing to reach out with God’s words and message of salvation through all avenues available to her – Traditional Gospel and Contemporary such as Urban, R&B, Jazz and Pop Gospel.

On “A City Called Heaven” Caesar is joined by J. Moss in an Urban flavored selection titled “Nobody.” On this song Shirley is rocking!

“Every time I record I put the word out that Shirley Caesar is looking for songs,” she explained when asked how she was able to be so diverse. “I couldn’t resist that one (title song).”

Anyone who has seen this multi-Grammy Award winner perform know that she gives her heart and soul into a performance – she holds church. Caesar started very young as a member of the Caravans, so young that they had to get her mother’s permission for her to go on tour. Today Shirley has since recorded over 30 albums to her credit.

“I just left South Africa, they made me a Zulu Queen,” Shirley informed me. “I went not to sing but they are trying to bring awareness to abuse of women and children.”

If not preaching at her church in Raleigh-Durham, NC Shirley is traveling the world singing and uplifting God’s children – preparing them for ‘A City Called Heaven.” Songs on the CD that either touched my heart or are my favorite inspirational selections include the first single “Nobody,” featuring J Moss, a gusty Urban Gospel selection; “In This Place” a sweet love song about God’s love which I feel in time will become a traditional Gospel song; the title track “A City Called Heaven” a beautiful emotional ballad of God’s promise of an eternal life; “Cornerstone,” written by Caesar, is a traditional sounding selection that has a touch of Jazz thanks to the horn support; “Been So Good” a great Praise and Worship” song, and “Can’t Even Walk (Without Him Holding My Hand)” another traditional Gospel song of testimony.

“That’s all I do,” Shirley said. “I sing. I feel I can pretty much sing any kind of Gospel.”

I agree with her and I enjoy listening to her sing any kind of song. For more on Shirley Caesar and her “A City Called Heaven” release log onto www.ShirleyCaesar.com, www.myspace.com/shirleycaesar or visit her at www.facebook.com/pastor.shirleycaesar.

Ami Rushes is ‘Refreshed’ on her current Kurt Carr produced album

*Award winning Gospel producer Kurt Carr recently produced the newest CD project for Gospel artist Ami Rushes titled “Refreshed.” Normally a Praise and Worship artist Rushes records a more contemporary project with Carr at the helm.

“I wanted to broaden my audience,” Ami Rushes explained when asked about the new sound. “I have songs that not only touch the Gospel market but the Christian market.”

Initially Ami came into the music industry as a Rock and Roll and R&B artist.

“Through a hospital experience many years ago…they didn’t think I was going to be ok,” Ami said about the changing point when she went from secular music to Gospel. “I wanted to do something. God saved me…I have to give back.”

Rushes door into the Gospel music industry came through Rev. James Cleveland. Her style of Gospel includes that Rock and Roll and R&B influence. You can hear it in my favorite cuts on the “Refreshed” CD (Ami Rushes Ministries/Central South) which include “El Shaddai” for it brought tears to my eyes it was so heart-felt; “Through It All,” written by Andrae Crouch, a power song; “He Touched Me” for the Jazz influence – thanks to the horn support, and “The Happy Song” for its finger-snapping harmonic sound.

For more on Ami Rushes and her current “Refreshed” CD release log onto www.AmiRishes.com.

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