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Starting #GospelAccordingToPJ. Let’s goooooo
Love this moment between PJ & his pops. Then straight into the B-3. Feels like Sunday morning. Great way to open the album. #GospelAccordingToPJ
It’s been fascinating hearing Kim’s voice age. Still sharp. But you can tell Everlasting Life was 22 years ago. #GOSPELACCORDINGTOPJ
She’s singing this song very smartly! A great contrast from her work on Myron’s album. SING! #GOSPELACCORDINGTOPJ
J. Moss doesn’t miss. His approach to the verses is so Brilliant, dawg. He’s painting a PICTURE!!! Ugh, love this dude.
#GOSPELACCORDINGTOPJ
#GOSPELACCORDINGTOPJ
This still holds up... #GOSPELACCORDINGTOPJ https://twitter.com/iammelsmith/status/1298054717520711681?s=21
J. MOSS IS KING. #gospelaccordingtopj
Shout out to Jermaine Dolly and Lena Byrd Miles. Rookies in a sea of veterans. Gospel could do well by embracing new blood. #gospelaccordingtopj
Commissioned is really the backbone of R&B boybands in the 90s. They are PUBLICLY cited by Jodeci, Tank, Jamie Foxx, Boyz II Men, Silk, 112, and *NSYNC. Do your studies. #gospelaccordingtoPJ
Such a SOLID track from Commissioned. Major points for this reunion, PJ. #GOSPELACCORDINGTOPJ
I’m digging how PJ is stringing this album together via his conversations with his pops. Feels like a nod to ‘A Seat At The Table’
#GOSPELACCORDINGTOPJ
#GOSPELACCORDINGTOPJ
A solid track from The Clark Sisters. I wonder if this was a track from the ‘The Return’ recording sessions because.... this should’ve made the cut. This is how I like to hear the ladies. #GOSPELACCORDINGTOPJ
I wish Twinkie was able to pull it like she used to. She would wash everybody lol #GOSPELACCORDINGTOPJ
Some interesting sonic choices on this album. I’m digging the vintage soundscape. I wonder if @kanevibrations engineered this one... #GOSPELACCORDINGTOPJ
Whew, Smokie Norfolk STILL sings. Geez. A tone that shan’t be denied, dawg. #GOSPELACCORDINGTOPJ
“God Can/Let Go Let God” is a highlight for me, dawg. This joint is EFFECTIVE. Sing Smokie!!! #gospelaccordingtopj
Now wait a minute... so Tasha Cobbs can deliver over something other than chord progressions that end on the 4... NOTED.
She handled this verse beautifully. #GOSPELACCORDINGTOPJ
She handled this verse beautifully. #GOSPELACCORDINGTOPJ
“Do You Believe” .... great way to end this album. #GOSPELACCORDINGTOPJ
Final thoughts #GOSPELACCORDINGTOPJ: this was a VERY good effort from PJ. A beautiful and effective album. It’s always great hearing gospel be presented in such a clean way. The fact that he was able to pull all these vets onto one album is his “Hoo-yu-ken!” move.
What’s interesting is how this album seems to methodically celebrate the historical hotspots of Gospel music: Detroit, LA/Oakland/The Bay, and DFW/Houston. These places shifted the landscape of gospel as we once KNEW it to be.
The link to Detroit is VERY strong. Which makes sense due to his dad’s upbringing, but also the legacy of Black music—specifically Black gospel music—in Detroit. Putting Commissioned, @legendaryclarks, @InsideJMoss on the album really drove that point home.
But then you also DFW/Houston’s legacy with @KimBurrellLove, @KirkFranklin, @MusiqCityWalls, @ZacardiCortez, and @YolandaAdams. Within gospel culture, that TX area is commonly known to be where the “SANGERS” come from. He honored that.
And lastly, you have LA/Oakland/The Bay. A region that deserves more, as its responsible for seminal gospel acts, such as Andraé Crouch, The Hawkins, @therealMaryMary, etc.
Shout out to @lenabyrdmiles for representing the new era of gospel music from the area.
Shout out to @lenabyrdmiles for representing the new era of gospel music from the area.
You have all of this gospel royalty grounded by the musical stylings of PJ, who has been a conduit of gospel music for YEARS.
The best part about this album is that it DIRECTLY addresses the career long discourse around PJ Morton’s role in gospel music as a R&B artist. He’s been the pen behind some of the genre’s biggest hits since the 2000s.
It totally grounds his musicality and musicianship in his spiritual roots, which makes sense if you REALLY listen to his music. The best R&B always carries the church with it. And that’s the point I and I believe PJ wanted to drive home with this album.
Gospel music isn’t extraneous to the rest of Black music. It is a part of its greater legacy. DO YOUR RESEARCH. It’s not just some genre you listen to on Sundays. It serves as the backbone for some of the most important musical movements.
That’s what “Dad’s Interlude: IN CLOSING” does perfectly—it closes the circle between secularism & sacredness via the relationship of father who’s a Bishop and gospel artist & son who wanted to do his own thing in R&B.
Reminds me of me & my dad. That’s what touched me the most.
Reminds me of me & my dad. That’s what touched me the most.
Overall, great body of work @PJMORTON. Gospel needed this one.
INITIAL REACTION: 4/5 mics.
Highlights: “Don’t Let Go,” “Repay You,” The Interludes, “God Can/Let Go” #GOSPELACCORDINGTOPJ
INITIAL REACTION: 4/5 mics.
Highlights: “Don’t Let Go,” “Repay You,” The Interludes, “God Can/Let Go” #GOSPELACCORDINGTOPJ
