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[theologica]

When I was in my teens, I was really into gospel music, mostly due to the influence of Touched by an Angel (don't laugh! xD). Used to listen to a radio program about it too, hosted by Deniece Williams. But after a while, I drifted from it.

But Elwood's always saying how the blues grew out of gospel music, so when I was in Wesley Owen's today, I got hold of a CD by the ACM Gospel Choir, 'cause I'd kind of like to explore the gospel stuff I once loved so much.

A cursory glance at the back reveals classics such as, "I believe I can fly", "Shackles", "Lean on Me", "Oh happy day", and "Something Inside So Strong".

The boys and girls on the CD are students of the Academy of Contemporary Music in Britain. I'm actually pleasantly stunned and delighted by how good they actually sound. The quality is sharp and clear, the singers are enthusiastic and really know how to move you. Perhaps my two favourite tracks are, "Shackles", and "I Just Can't Give Up Now", juxtapositioning one of their more energetic tracks, with a nice, slow, smooth piece about staying strong in adversity. The latter really inspires me, whereas the former makes me want to dance and sing along.

If you haven't heard them, I would definitely recommend that you give them a try. You, too, might be pleasantly surprised by them.

ACM Gospel Choir: Acm Gospel Choir: Amazon.co.uk: Music

The ACM can proudly claim the title of Theologica's <insert Elwood-style "blues breaker!" F/X > for this week.

~Fiona/Theo