United Voices of Praise Healing CD

United Voices of Praise recorded its second CD on February 8, 2003, at United Church of Chapel Hill. The "Healing" CD is available for $15 (U.S.) or 15 Euros from United Church of Chapel Hill, , 919-942-3540.

Credits

Text from the CD liner notes

At a time when all people yearn for healing from fear, threats of war and loss of loved ones, United Voices of Praise offers these stirring gospel songs in the African-American tradition as a balm and inspiration. These selections were recorded on the eve of the choir's June 2003 tour of France and Germany, its fourth European tour.

Since 1997, United Voices of Praise, which has grown to more than 70 members from Chapel Hill and Durham, North Carolina, USA, has performed biennially on tour in Germany through a partnership with churches in the Rhineland. Its performances have filled concert halls and churches in Aachen, Bad Kreuznach, Berlin, Bingen, Cologne and Solingen, among other cities. On its 2003 tour, the choir broadens its itinerary to include appearances in Paris. United Voices of Praise's ministry in Germany has spawned a new choir, The Gospelonians, based in Köln-Pesch, near Cologne. The Gospelonians toured in the United States in 2002.

United Voices of Praise singers range in age from 9 to the 70s and represent primarily two congregations: Fisher Memorial United Holy Church in Durham, North Carolina, and United Church of Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Members of this racially mixed choir find reconciliation through the Holy Spirit as they sing together, and they seek to share this with the world. Members share a genuine love for one another. They pray together and care for one another as a family does, rejoicing in one another's joys and comforting one another in times of sorrow and pain.

Photos from the recording session

These pictures were taken at the recording session. Photos are courtesy of Michella Idhammar. Click on a picture to see a larger version.

Setting up for the recording. Willie Hill from Inspire Productions is in the foreground.

Bishop Lewis leads the choir in prayer before the recording.

Recording "We Are United". Deon is at the far left, singing lead.

Directors: Vera and Lisa

Soloists: Raleigh, Johnnie, Maebell, Deon, Greg, Crystal, Virginia, Vera, Faye, Donald

The band: Odessa (drums), Charles (musical director and keyboards), Brad (bass)

Track list

Click on a title to hear a RealAudio streaming audio clip.

1. Psalm 150
   Oliver Wells
   Crystal, soloist
2. There Is A Balm In Gilead/Healing
   Traditional/Richard Lee Smallwood
   Maebell and Donald, soloists
3. I'm Blessed
   James Cleveland
   Johnnie, soloist
4. Be Grateful
   Walter Hawkins
   Faye, soloist
5. Heaven
   Michael Edward Mathis
   Vera, soloist
6. We Are United
   Manuel John McGregor and Joeline McGregor
   Deon, soloist
7. One Lord, One Faith
   Darius Brooks
   Virginia, soloist
8. One Less Stone
   David Huff
   Raleigh, soloist
9. Walk After Spiritual Things
   Ruth F. Henderson
10. Justified By Faith
    Calvin Bernard Rhone
    Faye and Maebell, soloists
11. All Day Long
    Carlton Fellows
12. Savior, Do Not Pass Me By
    Lawrence Keith Matthews
    Greg and Faye, soloists

CD Cover

This is not the absolutely final version. Click on a picture to see a larger version.