Good News in Hard Times

Good News in Hard Times
Studio album by The Sisters of Glory
Released August 22, 1995
Recorded 1995
Genre Gospel
Length 68:16
Label Warner Bros/WEA (#9 45990)[1]
Producer Jennifer Cohen, Lois Walden
CeCe Peniston chronology
Remix Collection
(1994)		 Good News in Hard Times
(1995)		 I'm Movin' On (1996)

Good News in Hard Times is the album released by American gospel group The Sisters of Glory, released on August 22, 1995 by Warner Bros Records. The set included solo performances by five female singers from different musical backgrounds. Thelma Houston, CeCe Peniston, Phoebe Snow, Lois Walden, and Albertina Walker.

The concept of their modern gospel ensemble was initially created by Lois Walden. For the first time, the vocalists performed together on April 25, 1994 at the New York benefit concert named "Gospel Music: From the Church to the Charts". The next gig for the gospel quintet was at the music festival Woodstock '94 on August 14, 1994. Later that year, on December 16, they appeared before Pope John Paul II at the Christmas at the Vatican II concert in Rome.[2] After receiving an offer from Warner Bros management, the Sisters also recorded a studio album in common.

The album, produced by Jennifer Cohen in collaboration with Walden, earned positive to mixed reviews from music critics. With no song released in support either on promotional single, Good News in Hard Times charted on the U.S. Billboard Top 40 Gospel Albums at number twenty-nine.[3]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[4]
Entertainment Weekly(A-)[5]
People(favorable)[6]

Good News in Hard Times received positive to mixed reviews from critics. Dimitri Ehrlich from Entertainment Weekly graded the album with A-. Describing the product as "the funky, inspiring tour de force of classic black gospel", he highlighted Phoebe Snow's performance on the roof-raising "His Eye is on the Sparrow."[5] People acknowledged the Sisters for sticking to gospel tradition, instead blending their music with contemporary pop or R&B elements. The magazine praised the Walker's version of "He's Right on Time" for presence of "the glorious spirit of Mahalia Jackson", Peniston's sassy soul strut on "How I Got Over" and, especially, "the touching, tear-jerking way of maternal love" provided by Walden on the song "No Charge".[6] Allmusic gave the album three (out of five) stars with no particular comment.[4]

Chart performance
"Precious Memories"
One of two solo tracks recorded for the Sisters' album by CeCe Peniston
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On September 9, 1995 the album entered the U.S. Billboard Top Gospel Albums Chart, debuting at number thirty-four. After three weeks at the same position, plus one week at number thirty-nine, the set topped its chart run on July 10 at number twenty-nine, eventually. Overall, the album spent six weeks in the chart.[7]

Track listing

No. TitleWriter(s)Performer(s) Length
1. "Rough Side of the Mountain"  Faircloth BarnesThe Sisters of Glory 4:51
2. "I Love the Lord"  TraditionalThe Sisters of Glory and friends 0:52
3. "Precious Lord"  Thomas A. Dorsey, George Nelson AllenAlbertina Walker 5:44
4. "Surely God Is Able"  W. Herbert Brewster, Virginia DavisThelma Houston 4:49
5. "Will the Circle Be Unbroken"  Ada R. Habershon, Charles H. Gabriel arr. Jennifer Cohen, Shelton BectonLois Walden 5:39
6. "How I Got Over"  Clara Ward, arr. Jennifer Cohen, Shelton BectonCeCe Peniston 4:36
7. "His Eye Is on the Sparrow"  Civilla D. Martin, Charles H. Gabriel, arr. Jennifer Cohen, Shelton BectonPhoebe Snow 6:49
8. "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands"  Traditional, arr. Jennifer Cohen, Shelton BectonThe Sisters of Glory 3:30
9. "I Won’t Be Back No More"  James HerndonThe Sisters of Glory 4:00
10. "Precious Memories"  J.B.F. Wright, arr. Jennifer Cohen, Shelton BectonCeCe Peniston 5:32
11. "He’s Right on Time"  Dorothy Love CoatesAlbertina Walker 2:58
12. "No Charge"  Harlan HowardLois Walden 3:54
13. "Move On Up a Little Higher"  W. Herbert BrewsterPhoebe Snow 4:23
14. "Walk Around Heaven All Day"  James Cleveland, Cassietta GeorgeThelma Houston 4:25
15. "Oh Happy Day"  Edwin HawkinsThe Sisters of Glory 5:48
16. "Yes"  TraditionalThe Sisters of Glory 0:26
Total length:
 68:16

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1992) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Top 40 Gospel Albums[7] 29

See also

References

General
Specific
  1. ↑ The Sisters of Glory (1995). Good News in Hard Times (Compact Disc). USA: Warner Bros. (#9 45990-2).
  2. ↑ 'CeCe Peniston, The Sisters of Glory, Biography' All Music
  3. ↑ 'CeCe Peniston, The Sisters of Glory, Good News In Hard Times, Chart Positions' All Music
  4. 1 2 "Good News In Hard Times Review". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. allmusic.com. Retrieved 2011-03-20.
  5. 1 2 Ehrlich, Dimitri (1995-08-25). "Good News in Hard Times Review". Entertainment Weekly. Time division of Time Warner. ew.com. Retrieved 2011-03-20.
  6. 1 2 "Picks and Pans Review: Good News In Hard Times". People. People.com. 1995-09-04. people.com. Retrieved 2011-03-20.
  7. 1 2 "Good News In Hard Times - Top Gospel Albums". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. billboard.com. Retrieved 2011-03-19.
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