Acrpost: A Project of the Pacific Association of Artist Run Centres

Event Description

When Canadian blues icon Jim Byrnes called gospel singer Marcus Mosely on the phone a few years ago to ask if he could round up a few friends to record some backup vocals for a new album, no one could have guessed what would happen next. From the moment Mosely and his pals stepped up to the microphone and began singing, they realized that they had something very special going on.

This is not music that strives to be polite. In The Sojourners’ universe, echoes of doo wop, R&B, country and blues weave together to create a unique sound that has all but vanished from today’s world. This is gospel music that can take a punch and remain standing. Singing praise music with their own special ‘stank’, the Vancouver based Sojourners sound just as at home in a road house bar as they do in a revival tent.

The celebrated trio’s third album, Sing and Never Get Tired produced by Paul Pigat (of Cousin Harley fame) offers new hope for people living in desperate times. With its 12 songs of faith, struggle and the promise of redemption, the music on Sing And Never Get Tired has the power to soothe the hurts brought by modern life. With a more raw and bluesy edge than they’ve ever shown us before, singers Marcus Mosely, Will Sanders and newcomer Khari McClelland prove that there’s still no kind of music that’s more stirring, uplifting or inspiring than gospel music when it’s done right.

The Sojourners new album is just plain good listening. But more importantly it shouts for social justice by reinforcing those inseparable links between the early spirituals, gospel, and activist folk music which all arise from hope, faith and courage in the face of adversity. Listen and you shall be released. - Marc Lindy, Gospel Train, Coop Radio CFRO 100.5 FM.