Two times three is six. Who said we'd never use math?

After several false starts, the Sentinels met the Messengers last night, at practice. I had hoped for Ken, who sings bass and Joe who is a second tenor to come, and the Sentinels first (high) tenor Larry came too. After five minutes of conversation, we lit into some songs. They said that they'd just listen, but there was no way I was going to let them sit on their hands. I had them up, right away. Two and a half hours ad six hoarse throats later, we'd worked out passable six part arrangments for eight or nine songs and the Messengers had gone from a trio to a Sextette. Muscially, the evening was fascinating, because Frankie and I coudln't sing our usually harmonies. Suddenly, we had two tenors and we both had to drop down. Ken, who is a bass, moved up and took a upper baritone harmony, Frankie tried to find room between him and the tenors, and I tried not stepping on Joe's musical toes, down in the bass range. Miraculously to me (who's never been involve in six part harmony, it worked out fine. Some of the songs I wouldn't have been uncomfortable stepping up on stage and doing tonight. It was also interesting to see doo wop harmony and black gospel harmony come together. Many of the early doo wop groups started out in black churches, so there is a lot in common between the two styles. But, Joe and Larry are more familiar with New York City doo wop, which is mostly white and has a different sound. But, everything worked out fine. As far as we're all concerned, the Gospel Messengers just doubled in size, and at our next practice, we'll start sedrious work on preparing for the Messengers 10th Anniversay concert in the spring.

You'll excuse me if I shout

HALLELUJAH!!!!

Jerry