"Praise Ye The Lord," is the Biblical phrase so sweetly yet passionately emoted by our beloved husband and wife singing duo of yes, sweetness and passion themselves, Mr. Billy Davis, Jr. with "special guest," Miss Marilyn McCoo. This piece is from Billy's acclaimed Gospel project co-produced with the gentleman known as "The King of Gospel Music," Rev. James Cleveland. Originally issued as the LET ME HAVE A DREAM album on Savoy records in 1982, the "good news" is that by popular fan request, it's been re-issued in 2011 as THE LOVE OF GOD on CD by the Davis' own Soldiers2ndCmg Records. An important musical milestone, this work deftly edifies (the now Pastor) Billy's Christian walk (as well as his wife's), and is a "Billy solo project" simply in a class by itself. Songs like "The Love of God," Davis, Jr.'s homage to both the Soul Stirrers' back-in-the-day Gospel hit as well as Rev. Cleveland's own cover hit of the song are sheer "elegance in tradition." Billy takes the late Danniebelle Hall's Gospel anthem, "Ordinary People" to a poignant personal place, and has some holy fun with "I'm Blessed," a tune he actually performed on SOLID GOLD, the popular syndicated Pop music/dance show Marilyn hosted at the "original" time of this release. And Pastor Davis' duet with Rev. Cleveland on "Steal Away" is the perfect vehicle for not only James' textured vocals meeting Billy's one-of-a-kind soulful timbre, but for repping the melding of the Reverend's arranging reputation with Billy Davis Jr.'s renown sensibility--a traditional "hard Gospel" meets Jazz/R & B tinged verve that Billy told me "...was a conscience decision to take Rev. Cleveland's bold sound design and add my own contemporary vision, we really worked easily in our collaboration."
For its poise yet charismatic magnificence, the song from THE LOVE OF GOD that The Soul of the Voice, Ltd. chooses to feature for this special Easter season video presentation, "Praise Ye the Lord," is a beautiful testimony with a "night to day," panoramically blessed expanse, underscoring the vocalists' quintessential aura--Billy's ingenious "Sweet-Soul" approach with Marilyn's trademark smooth yet intensely committed rendering. As biographer of The original 5th Dimension, "Praise Ye the Lord" has extra special personal significance as it was the closing theme to my drive-time radio show, GOSPEL GOLD of the 80's, becoming a fan favorite, New York chart-topper as a result. For those who may not have heard this rarity, I proudly share it, wishing you the peace and uplift of this spring season of faithful renewal as I honor my dear friends and mentors, Marilyn and Billy...this song embodies their essence as grateful souls whose grace--musical and as the loveliest of people--has inspired generations.
Robert-Allan Arno
Biographer, The original 5th Dimension
(copyright 2011)
Find THE LOVE OF GOD CD at Marilyn & Billy's musical ministry site, "Soldiers for the Second Coming" at:
http://soldiersforthesecondcoming.com
Find Marilyn & Billy's up-to-the-minute concert schedule plus their latest Pop/Soul CD of Love Songs, THE MANY FACES OF LOVE (Collector's Edition) at:
http://www.mccoodavis.com
Please join us for the globally popular Blog-zine, FOREVER 5th DIMENSION, an ongoing tribute to the stars of The original 5th Dimension recommended by McCoo & Davis; our Spring "Lines of Love" Edition available 4/10 at:
http://www.myspace.com/thesoulofvoice
With Love & Blessings always to: Marilyn & Billy, Florence, LaMonte & Mieko, The Townson Family.
Special thanks to: Randall Jeffries, David Brokaw, Jeremy Holiday, Sonny Porter
"Praise ye the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my soul." - Psalms 146:1
FOREVER 5th DIMENSION is a copyrighted production of The Soul of the Voice, Ltd., 2011. Photos contained in the Blog-Magazine and in YouTube videos are from the Arno-5th Dimension-McCoo-Davis Legacy Collection plus LaMonte McLemore Photography. All Rights Reserved, not to be re-printed.
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Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr - My Reason To Be Is Youby ButchMSLPig1,226 views
Thank you so much.
TheSheerilyn 10 months ago
Such a wonderful tribute to Mr. Billy Davis, Miss Marilyn McCoo, and Rev. James Cleveland. Thank you for sharing this my friend:)
nhojjmusic 11 months ago