SR5033: Beams of Heaven: Gospel Hymns & Songs -- Reverend Scottie Williams, Sr.
He sings with strong conviction. He has a rich, deep voice, and he sings the psalms clearly and articulately. When he emphasizes his message or when the spirit moves him, he moans with despair, sometimes with hope, and always with great musical effect.
On this recording, Elsa was truly inspired by the reverend's singing, and she played with great energy which further spurred on the reverend. Richard played the Hammond during the recording, and, afterwards, he added bass on all tracks without a second take. His musical genius is knowing what to play to enhance and improve the vocalist's phrasing, just like he's done throughout his career for Inez Andrews, his mom, and Aretha Franklin. Kenard Pulliam is an excellent drummer who kept the band in sync.
Steven B. Dolins, President of The Sirens Records, March 31, 2024 (excerpt from the liner notes)
Other related recordings by The Sirens Records include:
Press / Music CD Reviews
In the Black church, singers are called "anointed" if their renditions of hymns, spirituals, or gospel songs have a spiritual potency that outshines the quality of their voice. The most famous anointed singers in gospel music are Sallie Martin and Reverend James Cleveland, but the list also includes Shirley Caesar, Brother Joe May, Ernestine Washington, Roberta Martin, and Vernon Oliver Price. With their commanding vocal instrument and holy conviction, they could, the saying goes, sing a page out of the phone book (for those of us old enough to remember a phone book) and wreck any church.
Chicagoans know that Scottie Williams, Sr. belongs on the anointed list, and with the release of his debut album, Beams of Heaven, more will discover him. It's poetic justice that the Mississippi-born vocalist is now a senior pastor of Christ Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church. The Chicago church was once helmed by the Reverend Milton Brunson, founder of the Thompson Community Singers (the Tommies), a community choir that produced two generations of anointed singers and musicians.
Williams' amber baritone exudes elements of blues, jazz, and gospel, and calls to mind the vocal prowess of the Reverend Donald Gay, another Chicago past (and The Sirens artist). Williams is at his peak on perennials like When the Gate Swings Open, Your Mother Loves Her Child (a song popularized by the Reverend C.L. Franklin), and Fanny Crosby's Pass Me Not. Beams of Heaven is a greatest hits of the Black church.
Like Brunson with the Tommies, Williams knows how to surround himself with good company. On this recording, singer and keyboardist Elsa Harris, who introduced Williams to the Sirens owner Steven B. Dolins, plays a toolkit of churchy riffs and runs on piano. On organ and bass is Richard Gibbs, former accompanist for Aretha Franklin and son of larger-than-life gospel artists Inez Andrews and Richard Gibbs Sr. (both Gibbs and Harris worked with the Tommies). Kenard Pulliam keeps the beat on the drums. Chicago favorite Felicia Coleman-Evans blends her voice with background vocalists Harris and Armirris Collins on five tracks, including Jessy Dixon's I Am Redeemed and Thomas Dorsey's The Lord Will Make a Way Somehow.
The only thing missing from the album is an appreciative church congregation shouting and encouraging the singers to higher heights. Outside of that, for anyone wishing to experience the anointed gospel singing that takes place in Chicago churches large and small every Sunday morning, Beams of Heaven is an excellent primer.
Robert M. Marovich, Living Blues, July 2024
… The album begins sumptuously with the great classic When The Gate Swing Open, immediately highlighting the qualities of his vocals, Scottie Williams knows how to perfectly mix strength and sensitivity in his interpretation, to the point of moving us from the first seconds. The eleven tracks offered are great classics, they were composed by the greatest, namely Charles Albert Tindley for the sumptuous Beams Of Heaven, Reverend L.C. Franklin for Your Mother Loves Her Children or Thomas Dorsey with the immovable The Lord Will Make a Way Somehow. If you are loyal to the Windy City label, this new album will hold, like the previous ones, hold a special place in your record collection. Let us salute the tenacity of Steven Dolins who, thanks to this new album, demonstrates to us once again the talent, the vivacity and the vigor of the sacred scene of this city which is so dear to us.
Jean-Luc Vabres, ABS, June 2024 (translated from French)
… there is an infectious devotion and sincerity to The Word that permeates each song of hope, courage, and faith across the landscape of this magnificent work. Rev. Williams, Sr.'s voice lifts, sooths, offers hope, supports, and strengthens with each tune he sings. Gospel, when idyllically performed, causes the listener to reflect and consider; Rev. Williams, Sr.'s offerings advance those mindful exercises via his obvious conviction. This is modern gospel at its best. A heartiest-thank you" yet again to The Sirens Records for providing a gripping body of gospel work!
Curt Brown, Curt's Blues Blog, June 13, 2024
4. Your Mother Loves Her Children
