Intuition

J&B LP # 0076 (1986)

This morning, intuition hit me that Geneva Jones's »He's Still Alive« is just the song befitting Easter Sunday. It comes from the 1986 album One Day We'll Be Together Again by Geneva Jones from Vicksburg, Mississippi. To tell the truth, this was one of those LPs you pick up because you're right at it ... and then you discover some really beautiful tunes once you find the time to listen. So it was in this case. Which proves, if proof is needed, that you should always grab what you can because in most cases you won't be sorry you did. On the contrary, you'd be sorry you didn't.

   Geneva Jones is alive and well and still around performing. Her daughter put up a youtube channel, and there you'll easily find some footage of evangelist Jones in action (scroll down to watch one recent video of Mrs Jones). She was 36 when recording this LP and I'm very happy she did. Especially the first songs on Side Two are a fusion of powerhouse blues and gospel ... »gospel« understood here in the broad sense, because »Storms In My Life« isn't a classic »church song«. Rather, it is an autobiographically tainted (as it appears) song speaking about - well, life. It much records tunes by Gladys McFadden (of the Loving Sisters, once and again a cherished presence on this blog). Without doubt, »Storms In My Life« is the very highlight of Geneva Jones's LP. Happy Easter All!

Geneva Jones: »He's Still Alive« / »Storms In My Life« from the J&B LP # 0076 (1986):

* * *

Hit the Keys, Olivia!

mid-week gospel

Four days of the new year have passed and I feel already the need to calm down and relax. I expected it only for the sixth day or so. Whatever.

There's been little piano playing on this blog lately (in truth, there never was that much).
I gonna change this today. And I am happy to announce that the fabulous Olivia Branch Walker of Houston, TX, will enrich this blog pianowise. I couldn't think of anyone better, really. I have no idea to how many of you she is known because I know her only from a (relativ- ely spurious) album from 1986, entitled New Life (Shurfine Gospel LP # 55031). I can say without exaggeration that this is one of the albums that still impresses me immensely and I've been very fond of it ever since. The songs on it are much varied in style, and Olivia is just such a terrific singer and ... piano player.

One of the highlights of this album (yes, there are several of them!) is Olivia's 5-minute-plus version of »Po' Pilgrim« (aka »Poor Pilgrim Of Sorrow« or also »A City Called Heaven«). But it's such an intense experience that you'll need kind of a prelude. So listen before to Olivia's version of »Tell It«, a stomping blues-boogie. Both songs were recorded live (not all songs on this album were). Hit it, Olivia!

Olivia Branch Walker: »Tell It« / »Po' Pilgrim« from the Shurfine Gospel LP # 55031 (1986):