Whenever I listen to Rev. James Cleveland I want to shout "how does he know" his voice and words always seemed to echo my thoughts. Please share your feeling about the great Rev. James Cleveland. Thanks

-- Anonymous, October 14, 2002

Answers

Upon reading your post, the first song that cme to mind was "Peace Be Still" Some 41 years later, The Master is able to calm the storms that arise!

"This Too Will Pass...." Reminds me of the Apostle Paul "In Whaterver state I find myself, I've learned to be content!"

Just yesterday, I witnessed a group of six young girls carrying out a religous dance to the music "Lor Do It For Me, Do It For Me Right Now..."

All The Master ahs to say is Peace Be Still...."

Be Blessed! WHS

-- Anonymous, October 14, 2002

You are so right about the song "Peace be still" boy do we need that song today. One of my favorites is "Jesus is the best thing that ever happened to me!" Did anyone ever see Rev. Cleveland live? I wish I had had that opportunitY

-- Anonymous, October 14, 2002

"Whenever the Lord says Peace, there will Peace. Peeeace be still." Rev. Cleveland's newest version of Peace Be Still is very powerful.

Brenda

-- Anonymous, October 15, 2002

Rev. James Cleveland was a man of enormous talents. In my singing hey-day his selection "God Is" was sheer anglelic delight. That song ranks as one of the top 25 gospel tunes of all-time, at least according to the B. Dickens Gospel Musice Opinion Poll. When my choir sang this classic we literally wrecked churches with Ricardo as tenor lead and Tawana performing the alto lead. Man, those were the days!! Linda on the keyboards, Howard on the piano, our "killer sopranos" rivaled only by Donald Vail's Choraleers, but let me stop digressing and get back on focus. Cleveland's contributions in the field of gospel music made him a true and authentic legend. In near Jordanesque language, everyone is always talking about the next James Cleveland. John P. Kee, Hezekiah Walker, Milton Brunson, BeBe Winans have all had to carry this burden. But like the predictions of basketballers like J.R. Rider, Jerry Stackhouse or Penny Hardaway failed to produce the next Micheal Jordan, the above gospel musicians fell short in replacing the Prince of Gospel Music.

However, in spite of his Cleveland's critical acclaim, I would argue that his most important contribution was the creation of the James Cleveland Workshop Singers of America. Cleveland's artistic genuise was in recognizing that his songs should be simple enough so that un-trained choirs populated with pedestrian voices can sing the songs when he traveled across the US. By putting less-emphasis on choral auditions Cleveland was able to promote a form of democratization which maximized choir participation and contributed to the average singer to buy his records. This is not just a matter of being savvy in marketing but reflected common-sense since most of the churches which provided the foundation of support for his music could not read music. This explains Cleveland's un-paralled popularity among men and women in their 40s, 50s, & 60+.

Let me close my personal tribute with the chorus of that great classic: "God is the Joy and the Strength of my Life, He moves all pain misery and strife. He promised to keep me, never to leave me. Never, never, according to His Word. God, Is, God Is, God Is, God Is. God is my all and all" QED

-- Anonymous, October 15, 2002

I love the song God Is too. But what album was it on? I want to buy it and can't find it or get anyone who remembers it.

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2003

"God Is" is on 1979 album It's A New Day - James Cleveland and the Southern California Community Choir SGL 7035

-- Anonymous, August 30, 2003

Let me add my 2 cents-- Nothing like Rev. Cleveland w/Aretha Franklin--TALK ABOUT BRANGIN DA HOUSE DOWN--MY MY MY!

some of my favorites: "Lord, Help Me To Hold Out", "Thank You Lord", "God Is", "This To Will Pass", "Can't Nobody Do Me Like Jesus"

I like some of the modern-day Psalmists, too. I love Donnie McClurkin but for some reason I seriously doubt that 20 years from now I will remember "We Fall Down", but I know that I will definitely remember "I Don't Feel No Ways Tired"

B Blessed kc

-- Anonymous, September 01, 2003