Steppin' Out (Gospel Hummingbirds album)
| Steppin' Out | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1992 | |||
| Genre | Gospel, R&B | |||
| Label | Blind Pig | |||
| Producer | Bonnie Hayes, Jimmy Pugh | |||
| Gospel Hummingbirds chronology | ||||
| ||||
Steppin' Out is an album by the American musical group Gospel Hummingbirds, released in 1992.[1][2] It was the first gospel album to be released by Blind Pig Records.[3] Steppin' Out was nominated for a Grammy Award for "Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album".[4]
Production
The album was produced by Bonnie Hayes and Jimmy Pugh.[5] The backing musicians included members of Robert Cray's band.[6] The harmonies were arranged by group member Joe Thomas, who was influenced chiefly by the Swan Silvertones.[7] "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" is a version of the traditional Christian hymn.[8]
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| All Music Guide | [9] |
| Chicago Tribune | [10] |
| The Grove Press Guide to the Blues on CD | [11] |
| Los Angeles Times | [12] |
| Oakland Tribune | [13] |
| Orlando Sentinel | [14] |
| The Philadelphia Inquirer | [15] |
The Chicago Tribune noted that "few other gospel groups so successfully blur the lines between gospel and rhythm and blues".[10] The Orlando Sentinel praised "That Same Thing", calling it "a toe-tapping number that starts with a funky, tumbling bass line and Roy Tyler's hearty, joyful voice".[14] The Los Angeles Times opined that "the vocal blend on the ballad 'Change', notably the falsetto flourishes, and the jazzy groove of 'Safety Zone' are the only distinctive songs here."[12] The San Antonio Express-News said that the "full rocking band that really brings the rock of ages message home".[16] The Philadelphia Inquirer stated that the "rhythms combine the street and the pulpit into an effortless puree."[15] Stereo Review pointed out that the lead singer, Rob Tyler, composed some of the album's most compelling tracks.[17]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "That Same Thing" | |
| 2. | "Don't Let the Devil Ride" | |
| 3. | "Don't Move the Mountain" | |
| 4. | "Change" | |
| 5. | "Judgement Day" | |
| 6. | "Step Out" | |
| 7. | "He'll Be Your Friend" | |
| 8. | "Here I Am" | |
| 9. | "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" | |
| 10. | "Ain't Nobody's Business" | |
| 11. | "Safety Zone" | |
| 12. | "Any Day" |
References
- ^ Hansen, Liane (April 19, 1992). "'Steppin' Out': Album by Gospel Hummingbirds". All Things Considered. NPR.
- ^ Ouellette, Dan (July 1992). "Steppin' Out by Gospel Hummingbirds". DownBeat. Vol. 59, no. 7. p. 50.
- ^ Heim, Chris (January 10, 1992). "Albums slated for '92 in country, jazz, blues, world music". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. N.
- ^ "Grammy nominees". The Baltimore Sun. January 8, 1993. p. 2D.
- ^ "Album Reviews". Billboard. Vol. 104, no. 18. May 2, 1992. p. 61.
- ^ Rosen, Steven (March 20, 1992). "New CDs deliver the soul of soul". The Denver Post. p. 1F.
- ^ Hildebrand, Lee (February 16, 1992). "Gospel in the Night Spots". Datebook. San Francisco Chronicle. p. 23.
- ^ "Best Bets". The Modesto Bee. March 8, 1992. p. H1.
- ^ All Music Guide (4th ed.). Backbeat Books. 2001. p. 602.
- ^ a b Kening, Dan (March 5, 1992). "Rave recordings". Tempo. Chicago Tribune. p. 6.
- ^ Hadley, Frank-John (1993). The Grove Press Guide to the Blues on CD. Grove Press. p. 79.
- ^ a b Snowden, Don (October 4, 1992). "On the Offbeat". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 70.
- ^ Kelp, Larry (February 2, 1992). "Recordings". Sunday. Oakland Tribune. p. 5.
- ^ a b Gettelman, Parry (June 19, 1992). "Records". Calendar. Orlando Sentinel. p. 6.
- ^ a b Moon, Tom (February 16, 1992). "New recordings". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. F10.
- ^ Young, Ron (December 6, 1992). "Gospel groups show spirit through music". San Antonio Express-News. p. J5.
- ^ "Steppin' Out by Gospel Hummingbirds". Stereo Review. Vol. 57, no. 7. July 1992. p. 74.