Today, we are dedicating this day to the one, the only Clark Sisters

Here's the link to the thread appreciating the music of Hezekiah Walker: https://twitter.com/LegendsofGospel/status/1091479410388148224?s=19

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The Clark Sisters are an American gospelvocal group consisting of five sisters: Jacky Clark Chisholm (b. 1948), Denise Clark Bradford (b. 1953), Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark-Terrell (b. 1954), Dorinda Clark-Cole (b. 1957), and Karen Clark Sheard (b. 1960).

The Clark Sisters are the daughters of gospel musician and choral director Mattie Moss Clark, who is credited for creating the three-part harmony (separating vocal parts into soprano, alto and tenor), a technique which is highly popular among gospel choirs today. Here she is:

The Clark Sisters were born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. They each began singing at an early age, and by the late 1960s they were all performing together in church services, usually singing songs written and arranged by their mother.

A few years later, Dr. Mattie Moss Clark turned over control of the group to Twinkie, who would then go on to write, arrange, conduct, and produce all of the Clark Sisters' songs. In 1973, the sisters recorded their first album, Jesus Has A Lot To Give, on Billesse Records.

Here is "Who Can I Turn To" from Jesus Has A Lot to Give album (1973)

Lead by: Denise Clark

Written by Twinkie Clark- Terrell

The following year, "Dr. Mattie Moss Clark Presents: The Clark Sisters," was released and people around Detroit began to take notice of the group.

Here is "Renew My Spirit" from the album:

The Clark Sisters signed to Sound of Gospel Records in 1974. Under this association, the group released albums such as Unworthy...

"Never Turn Back" from Unworthy (1976)

Lead by: Dorinda Clark- Cole

Written by: Twinkie Clark- Terrell

Count It All Joy...

"A Praying Spirit"

Lead and written by: Twinkie Clark- Terrell

and 'He Gave Me Nothing to Lose' (1979) Even though there were only 4 of them (Jacky, Karen, Dorinda, and Twinkie) on the cover, Denise still contributed.

"My Life is Complete With Jesus"

It was not until the early 80s that The Clark Sisters began to become more widely known. Their popularity soared with the release of the live recording 'Is My Living In Vain.' The first live recording by The Clark Sisters spent a year at #1 on Billboard's Gospel Music chart.

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Their next release 'You Brought the Sunshine' would prove to be a monster hit via the title track. Reminiscent of Stevie Wonder's "Master Blaster (Jammin')," the song became a hit in church houses and on dance floors, including New York's Studio 54.

In 1983, the song peaked at #16 on the Black Singles chart, #27 on the Club Play Charts, and #80 on the Hot R&B Charts driving the album to Gold sales.

The sisters delivered another progressive effort in 1982, 'Sincerely,' which included "Name It And Claim It" and the politically charged "World." Though its success was overshadowed by the previous hit "You Brought The Sunshine", the album received a Grammy nomination.

In 1983, the Clark Sisters were invited to perform at the Grammys. It proved to be one of the highlights of the ceremony, but the Church of God in Christ, which they are members, disapproved of it.

The COGIC's governing body told their mother, Mattie Moss Clark, that she couldn't perform with her girls again. Here they are, performing at the Grammy Awards.

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After a four-year gap between releases, the sisters continued as a foursome, signing with Rejoice Records. This new deal yielded the Grammy nominated Heart & Soul (1986) which featured the original versions of "Jesus Is A Love Song", "Balm in Gilead", and "Pray for the USA."

In 1988, The Clark Sisters released their Billboard chart-topping album 'Conqueror.' It featured a bolder, intense sound, with synthesizers, drum machines and more funk-oriented beats. It also quickly became a fan favorite with hits like "The Darkest Hour Is Just Before The Day"

In 1989, The Clark Sisters released their live album, 'Bringing it Back Home,' recorded in their hometown of Detroit. It was the last recording from The Clark Sisters on Word Records’ Rejoice imprint and the last group album with Twinkie just before the launch of her solo career

The album included both previous hits and new material. It featured guest appearances from gospel icon Rance Allen and backing choir vocals from The Michigan State Choir directed by Dr. Mattie Moss Clark.

Here is "My Redeemer Liveth"

In 1994, the Clark Sisters released their last studio album before breaking grounds into their successful solo careers. Their last studio album of the decade, 'Miracle,' was the first album The Clark Sisters recorded without the songwriting and vocals of Twinkie.

That album, although it fared well in sales, did not match the success of previous albums due to the Clark Sisters not being able to tour and promote the project, due to the illness of their mother, Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, who died in September 1994 from diabetes complications.

Following their last release, Twinkie resumed her calling as a minister and recorded the solo album Comin' Home in 1992. Twinkie Clark re-appeared in 1996 with a pair of albums to her credit: 'Masterpiece' and the live project 'Twinkie Clark-Terrell presents FAMU Gospel Choir.'

"Breakthrough" by Twinkie Clark- Terrell

"Worship the King" by Twinkie Clark- Terrell

wow.

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Karen delivered her solo debut 'Finally Karen' in 1997. The album, featuring star turns from The Clark Sisters, Faith Evans, and daughter Kierra Sheard, was nominated for a Grammy in addition to winning a Soul Train Lady of Soul award.

"The Will of God"- Karen Clark-Sheard ft Kierra Sheard

"Balm in Gilead"- Karen Clark-Sheard

She has since released four more solo albums: "2nd Chance", "The Heavens Are Telling," "It's Not Over," "All in One" and "Destined To Win."

Here is my favorite from "The Heavens Are Telling"

Dorinda released her first solo album, 'Dorinda Clark-Cole' in 2002, earning her two Stellar awards, and a Soul Train Lady of Soul award. Dorinda has since released 4 albums, each of which have earned Dorinda the award for Female Vocalist of the Year at the Stellars.

"Still Here" by Dorinda Clark Cole

"Take It Back" by Dorinda Clark Cole

Jacky released her first solo effort, Expectancy, in 2005, which features The Clark Sisters on the track "Blessing Me." The Clark Sisters have all contributed in various capacities to each other's albums, whether they sang or wrote lyrics.

Here is "Blessing Me":

The Clark Sisters did a live recording on July 8, 2006 in Houston, Texas entitled "Live... One Last Time." In support of the reunion album, The Clark Sisters embarked on a 25-city concert tour beginning October 4, 2007 in Nashville, Tennessee.

"Blessed and Highly Favored"

Over their entire career, The Clark Sisters have been 3x Grammy nominated and have also won 3 Grammys.

Now, let's talk about the Clark Sound. The Clark Sisters are renowned for their vocal stylings, dubbed as "The Clark Sound." They incorporate high and fast melismas, acrobatic trills and riffs, and deep, soulful growls, or "squalls".

Here is an example:

The sisters are also known for the individual distinctive sounds that they contribute. Jacky (contralto) is known for her sweet, soft, smooth, and deeper vocals.

Dorinda (mezzo-soprano), the "jazzy" sister, inputs scats, riffs, and runs with a fervency that places her in a class of her own. She has an ability to make each song her very own and she is a preacher that can PREACH.

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Karen (soprano) is known for her unique riffs, runs, growls, scats, very vast vocal range, ability to belt whilst in the whistle range, and has also been known to implement an "echo" in her live performances.

LISTEN. JUST LISTEN.

Twinkie (Soprano/Mezzo-Soprano/Contralto/Tenor/Baritone) is known for her complex runs, riffs, powerful mixed-voice belts, soulful squalls, and deep growls. She's also known as the "Queen of the B3 Hammond" organ.

The group's sound and success have been highly influential on the contemporary genre of gospel music. In November 2018, It was reported that The Clark Sisters will have a biopic, "You Brought The Sunshine", that will air on Lifetime in 2019.

To this day, the Clark Sisters are still performing.

Wouldn't it be nice to go to Clark Sisters/ the Winans concert?

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