I Twittered about it a bit, but George has been working with this guy Mark Henry. Mark wanted to do a Gospel album and even though I’m not inclined to listen to a lot of Gospel, I love his voice and his songs have been beautiful.
George grew up in a household that celebrated black musical artists and with his dad being from Barbados, there was a lot of Calypso/Soca going on. George HATED it growing up. As an adult now and a musician, he can appreciate it more but he doesn’t listen to it. I think *i* might know more Calypso song lyrics than he does.
Anyway, all that to say that much to the shock of many, one day George just up and wrote this Calypso song. He wrote and played everything except the bass. Mark got a friend of his to come do the bass two days ago and then Mark came back this morning to sing the vocals after writing the words over the weekend.
The song kicks serious ass. Even though it’s got the Gospel lyrics it will easily cross over to be played on local stations that play Calypso and I’d love so much to hear Mark do this live at Montreal’s Jazz Fest or Carifiesta.
I’d love to have you listen to it and give me a bit of feedback. And honestly, if you don’t find yourself at least *wanting* to dance, I fear you may be deceased.
Here it is, called “God’s Promise”
Muchas gracias!
Amazing … even to this 64 year old goat. Of course in my youth we had a lot of great calypso music (Mary Ann, Banana Boat Song and others). Recently I heard a kick-butt version of Amazing Grace done by a combined pipe band and steel drum band. (I guess you can have a kick-butt version of Amazing Grace – lol) Now this. I love it. Any chance of a pdf file with notes, chords, lyrics for a ukulele strummer? lol
I was listening to it and, despite the fact that I don’t usually like Calypso — kept singing it in my head as I went on my merry way. I like it, and I think it’s one that will be really good live. Does live Calypso use hand drums (djembe, etc.)? That would really make a live performance rock!
Well I danced around and harmonized the oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-ohs. I’ll give it two thumbs up.
Hey, I like it. I’m not deceased. YEA!
I “get” the words. This would so rock with children’s worship too because they love to move!!!
Unfortunately, grown-ups are not so given at times!
Gotta love Montreal for the diversity in the music industry! Definitely brings a new feel to gospel music. It’s really well mixed too. Great work!