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London Community Gospel Choir

 
Artist: London Community Gospel Choir

Similar Artists:

Inspirational Choir
  • Formed: 1983
  • Genres: Gospel
  • Representative Albums: "Live in London", "Gospel Greats", "Live at Abbey Road

Biography

Reverend Bazil Meade joined with Lawrence Johnson and Delroy Powell in 1983 to present the first concert gospel choir in the U.K. The choir -- which evolved into the London Community Gospel Group the following year -- continues to inspire audiences with their uplifting approach to spiritual music. With their mixture of gospel, swing, and R&B set to sophisticated choreography, the group continue to share their spirited joy.

Under Rev. Meade's leadership, the London Community Gospel Group has grown into the most successful gospel choir in England. In addition to performing between 100 and 150 shows a year, the group has collaborated in concerts, videos, and studio recordings with a lengthy list of artists including Tina Turner, George Michael, Diana Ross, Luther Vandross, Elton John, Puff Daddy, Mariah Carey, Sting, and Paul McCartney. Individual members have sung with Terence Trent D'arby, Van Morrison, Mica Paris, Denise Williams, Eternal, Chaka Khan, Depeche Mode, and Stevie Wonder. Several former members -- including Ronny Jordan, Jefferson & Whitfield, Nu Colors, Paul Johnson, Lavine Hudson, and Daniel Thomas -- have gone on to successful careers on their own.

The London Community Gospel Group, whose register includes fifty members aged 18 to 40, has been involved with several historic events. The group harmonized on South Africa's anthem during a concert attended by Nelson Mandela in Brixton, South London in July 1996. Two years later, the group performed at the wedding of Mel B of the Spice Girls and were the headliners at the first BBC Proms Gospel Night at Royal Albert Hall. Their most memorable performance remains the soundtrack of the Disney film, The Lion King. ~ Craig Harris, All Music Guide
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The Choir give an energetic performance

The London Community Gospel Choir are a successful gospel choir located in the UK.

Largely recognised as the pioneers of Gospel music in the UK, The London Community Gospel Choir was founded in 1982 by the Reverend Bazil Meade with the assistance of Lawrence Johnson, Delroy Powell and John Francis.

Initially the idea was to stage a one-off concert. The 120-strong choir concert was staged before an audience of more than a thousand and what started as a one-off event soon matured into a legacy of 25 years travelling and performing worldwide. Currently the choirs membership is some 35 members.

Meade explains: "We were formed from those who were passionate about their faith and were willing to take gospel music into venues that many churches at that time dared not enter."

The success of the evening at Kensington Temple led to enquiries for appearances in television, radio and various corporate functions across the UK and Europe. The choirs debut television performance on Channel Four's 'Black On Black' proved a resounding success and led to calls from popular artists for Musicians and Singers. This did not go down well in the black church community who accused Meade and his cohorts of courting controversy as well as pseudo-christian behaviour. Traditionalists argued against Christians working in secular environments as well as women wearing cosmetics and jewelry. The choir cemented its reputation as Controversial, Professional, Energetic, Inspiring and Spirit-filled! - The Guardian. December 2003.

Meade comments, "The idea of an inter-denominational choir was something totally new to the church community. A few church leaders felt threatened by it. It took a while before we were able to convince them that we were not forming a new church and stealing their young people away! We knew this was a vision that God had given us and that inspired us to keep going despite the controversy which surrounded us,…"

They are often described as adaptable, flexible and dynamic melodies with rich harmonies whether they are performing as an octet or a 30-strong choir. LCGC is known for their funk-flavoured gospel flair, swing-beat, R'n'B, traditional and soulful arrangements, with invigorating choreography and vocal gymnastics.

They recorded a version of the OutKast hit "Hey Ya!" with Razorlight (the B-side to their single "Vice"), featured on Will Young's debut album, From Now On, and sang on Blur's hit, "Tender". They also provided backing vocals on the Erasure self-titled album Erasure (1995) and throughout the Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (2005) double album Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus. They also performed in the songs Don't Get Lost in Heaven and Demon Days on the Gorillaz' Demon Days album. The choir has also recorded with Paul McCartney, Elton John, Westlife, Tori Amos and Madonna. They gained a worldwide audience as the backing choir turned out head-to-toe in white for Madonna's Live 8 performance of her hit single Like A Prayer.

In 2009 they recorded a charity single for War Child along with other major UK stars such as Pixie Lott, N-Dubz, Tinchy Stryder and V.V Brown named I Got Soul. On the 25th of October 2009 the single reached #10 in the UK Singles Chart giving Londom Community Gospel Choir, their first top ten hit.

Trivia

  • Nu Colors formed by Lawrence Johnson, who had a hit with 'Special Kinda Lover' in the early 90s was made up of former choir members who had originally formed under the name 'Colors Of LCGC'
  • John Francis went on to be recognised worldwide as a the founder of Ruach Ministries - a non-denominational megachurch in Brixton, London - once he was ordained as a Bishop. His ministry has seen him extend into tele-evangelism on Christian channels across the USA.
  • Sharlene Hector who sung 'I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free' as part of a Coca Cola ad campaign used to perform as a contralto with the choir.
  • A special branch of the choir entitled 'The Edge of LCGC' (similar to Nu Colours) released a limited-edition album entitled 'Keep Moving' as part of their yearly five night residency at the world-famous London venue The Jazz Cafe. The full version is proposed for Spring 2008.

Discography

  • Fill My Cup. 1983
  • Feel The Spirit. 1986
  • Gospel Greats. 1990
  • Hush & Listen. 1992
  • Live! Inspiration & Power. 1996
  • Out of Many, One Voice. 1998
  • Joy To The World. 1999
  • Force Behind The Power. 2001
  • Negro Spirituals & Gospel Songs. 2002
  • 21st Anniversary Concert. Live at Abbey Road. 2003
  • Keep Moving (Limited Edition.) 2007

External links


 
 

 

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Artist. Copyright © 2009 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.  Read more
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