June is Black Music Month, and all the melodies of life are converging to remind us how we got over. In the Black Church, those melodies envelop the songs of Zion, from the hymn book to the Good book.
This Black History Month, you must check out Fred Hammond’s recent gospel medley “Way Back When.” This 14-minute “disco version” chocked full with some of the Black church’s most moving staples will take you way back.
It can take you back if you grew up in one of those old-fashioned “gut-bucket Gospel” churches where voice and rhythm were all you needed. Or maybe you were raised in one of the “silk-stocking” churches where you moved from hymn to anthem, to spiritual, and to Gospel.
On the other hand, maybe your parents took you to a “high brow” Black or integrated church. There wasn’t no screaming and hollering, hand clapping and tambourine shaking. No drumbeats or “Saturday Night” instrumentation. Your church was more on the scope of Catholicism or Presbyterian.
Fred Hammond has something for all of you. Not only does it get me ready for church, but it has also become the processional to my workouts on the treadmill and long walks.
This captivating and engaging mélange of Black church history is introduced to us with a neo- classical fanfare that sets the stage for the process of praise. Then, it breaks into three triads.
It begins with a lofty liturgical blend of “His Mercy Endureth Forever,” lands on “Glory to Glory,” continues the praise with “An Awesome God” and concludes with “Total Praise.” This pattern aligns with the old days when nothing commenced without exalting the subject of our praise.
The next phase of the service declares “I Was Glad” and extends that joy to an inviting segment of “We Welcome You!” Then Fred goes into the 1970s when James Cleveland brought some funk to Gospel. “Lord, help me to Hold Out.” I can still see them choir robes swaying down the aisle and stepping from side to side! Lawd!
If you thought Kirk Franklin caught hell for “Stomp” You don’t know how inappropriate most church leaders thought “worldly” music was to the church. But after asking the Lord to help you hold out, came “Lord, I’m available to you.”
After that, worship turns into a praise party. Keith Pringle’s universally accepted “Call Him Up” is followed by Edwin Hawkins Singer’s “Oh Happy Day.” Thank You, Lord,” also written by Edwin Hawkins, brings us the song’s benediction.
“Consuming the Black Gospel Culture: an Interpretive Study of Symbolic Exchanges” by Yuko Minowa, and David S. Glover, Long Island University – Brooklyn Campus in 2009, created a visual to show the range and scope of Gospel music.
The work describes how Black Gospel extended the cultural range of church music from withdrawn and introspective to evangelical and “mass hysteria.” (Even when intellectuals study us with the best intentions, they can’t describe our joy!)
Black church music was born in the brush harbors and secret places where former enslaved Africans could “steal away” to the real Jesus and escape their White master who declared himself and his kind the Almighty.
It was my pleasure to interview Mr. Hammond 10 years ago as a testament to his remarkable role as a father. So here is a bit of that.
“Fred Hammond has scored a litany of award nominations and multiple Dove and Stellar Awards. However, none compare to the joy he has experienced as being called Dad by 24-year-old daughter BreAnn and 14-year-old son Sean. He takes every aspect of their growth and development seriously and personally.
What struck me as a writer about him was his eagerness to be open, honest, and transparent. He didn’t mince words, falter in stating his beliefs, and didn’t sugarcoat or hide any aspect of his life experiences, Good or bad.
B. B. King once had a hit song, “I like to live the love I sing about in my song.” Fred Hammond’s life is a remix and an example of King’s words. Hammond’s songs and vocal preachments align with his love for his God, his family, church folk, and humankind in general.”
This medley and musical masterpiece lines up with his knowledge of the Black church and its great traditions. Happy Father’s Day, Fred Hammond. Hopefully, this audience will listen and enjoy. #itsallaboutdemspins
Vincent L. Hall is an author, activist, and an award-winning columnist.
