It's Sunday afternoon, and Ruth and I are taking it easy after a very busy, but enjoyable weekend. (Technically, I guess this is still part of it..) The Gospel concert Friday night went very well, although they didn't get the sell-out that they needed. The main group was Lee Williams and the Spiritual QC's. I'd never heard them, and I have a pretty extensive collection of black gospel. The concert was a microcosm of black gospel. The Men's Chorus that I sing in opened the evening, doing three songs, with just a piano accompaniment. As we often do, we did part of one song a capella. That was the end of a reasonable level of sound. Every other group played from too loud to too Damned Loud! I had to leave the sanctuary while one group was playing because it hurt my ears too much, and my hearing isn't as good as it used to be. There was the usual, "Everybody clap your hands now!" exhortation, trying to whip the congregation into a frenzy, and several of the lead singers walked out into the congregation and into the aisles. A group of women singers even imitated flying by flapping their arms with their elbows stuck out. It looked more like they were imitating chickens.

When Lee Williams and the Spiritual QC's came out, it was a different story. They came up from Tupelo, Mississippi, and they let their music get people moving. None of this "Everybody clap your hands, now" stuff. Lee Williams stands bolt upright when he sings. When he gets into the Spirit, he taps his foot. They shook the place, completely on the strength of their singing. They weren't the loudest group, but they had everyone up dancing.
When the Spirit is moving you don't have to do nuthin'. Just step back and let him work.

Last night, we had a birthday celebration for my son Pasha. He's my wife Ruth's oldest son. And mine, too. Who ever dreamt up the term Son-in-law? Love has nothing to do with the law, and I love him as if he was my biological son. "Son" is a loving relationship, not a legal matter. I gave him a large book on jazz and blues. He hasn't heard much country blues, but I'll take care of that. He loves all kinds of music from James Brown to classical, so I know he'll be excited hearing Skip James, Leadbelly, Mississippi John and the rest.

This morning we went to a large Baptist Church in New Haven, right next door to us. I love that chruch. They must have had 500 people there this morning, and the sermon was titled "Never Again." Every year, they set aside a Sunday to reflect upon the heritage of slavery that still effects their lives. It was a powerful, positive message, with music to match.

We couldn't have asked for a better weekend.

Jerry