The most underrated gospel artist out there...

[LaylaMonroe]

That leads me to a question... should JH be less popular/marketable among musicians because the music is complicated and/or difficult to learn? Shouldn't that be what piques a musician's interest and challenges him/her to come on up a lil higher??

[cas10a]

That leads me to a question... should JH be less popular/marketable among musicians because the music is complicated and/or difficult to learn? Shouldn't that be what piques a musician's interest and challenges him/her to come on up a lil higher??

I don't think JH is less popular among "musicians", quite the contrary, most musicians/artist I think would appreciate the complexity of his music.  May be less popular/marketable among general audiences who are not necessarily listening for technical nuances in music as previously stated and prefer simplicity.

It's a challenge to play some of his music speaking for myself.  I always thought he was very popular, but maybe I thought that because I play and have a lot of his music...idk...

[Docdb04]

That leads me to a question... should JH be less popular/marketable among musicians because the music is complicated and/or difficult to learn? Shouldn't that be what piques a musician's interest and challenges him/her to come on up a lil higher??

I don't think he should be, but it depends on what the person is into.  A lot of musicians buy songs, for the choirs they rehearse with.  JH vocal arrangements may be complicated for the average choir.  His arrangements may require more time in preparing, which can be alot when you have to prepare songs week to week for choirs.

Also I think it depends on the congregation you play for and the type of musician you are.   Some congregations are not into the fancy vocal arrangements.  Many like the simple, catchy songs they can slightly remember during the week.  Some musicians like the simple songs, while others like more creativity. Personally, with an artist like JH (and many other artist) I would rather have a written score of music.  It is easier for me to disect.  Creating a lead sheet with vocal arrangements for JH, may require too much time, which I may not have on a consistant basis. 

[T-Block]

That leads me to a question... should JH be less popular/marketable among musicians because the music is complicated and/or difficult to learn? Shouldn't that be what piques a musician's interest and challenges him/her to come on up a lil higher??

From a musician's standpoint, the answer is it should be more popular/marketable. However, the average musicain seems to gravitate toward the music that's easier to learn to play right now. So, all the easy contemporary stuff is a not brainer. It's not until their skills increase that they start to look for the more "complicated" stuff. Like I said myself, I'm really just starting to appreciate his music cuz I can understand it better now.

There is a reason why popular music is so popular, because it's EASY to understand. Most people don't like what they don't understand. This goes for any genre. Take the simple tunes like "Mary Had A Little Lamb". Why does everyone and they momma know this song? Cuz it's easy and catchy.

[B3Wannabe]

Indeed. I don't know how many times I've asked some musicians, do you know any James Hall songs?...and they look at me like "Who is James Hall?" I immediately say, "Dude. You're fired." I've known about James Hall since I first heard God is in Control. It took me about two months to learn to play that song then, and I still didn't have it right!

His music isn't AS bad for me now, but Joe Sample's and The Yellowjackets is.

[sjonathan02]

Indeed. I don't know how many times I've asked some musicians, do you know any James Hall songs?...and they look at me like "Who is James Hall?" I immediately say, "Dude. You're fired." I've known about James Hall since I first heard God is in Control. It took me about two months to learn to play that song then, and I still didn't have it right!

His music isn't AS bad for me now, but Joe Sample's and The Yellowjackets is.

Very good album. *nods head slowly*

[Spiritfingaz]

James Hall's music is a big reason why I play gospel music..."The Blood," "Nobody Like Him," "Blessed Be the Name," "After the Storm," "Great is the Mystery of Godliness"...and the list goes on...so underrated and musical and equally challenging for musician and singer....a lot of credit goes to Melvin Crispell for writing a lot of his songs...and his band.

[thunderkat]

James Hall has always been my favorite because I believe he is the most creative gospel artist ever.

He touched on just about every style of music you can think of and it always seemed to work.

Traditional- (God Wants A Yes) or (I'm Not The Same)

Classical- (Blessed Be The Name) or (Hold To God's Unchanging Hand)

Jazz- (I've Got To Praise Him)... Ok you get the idea. He seems to be able to make any genre of music work.

I also have to say Ricky Dillard is next on my list. He is straight up church!

[Fenix]

**Pops head in thread...

Watches one video...

Shakes head...

Goes back to the safety of playing CCM songs**

[B3Organist_007]

I love James Hall as well. I just really started listening to his music seriously about a year ago and now I listen to it constantly (I am trying to learn how to play "The Blood"). I have gotten to the point now where I compare every choir I hear to the Voices of Citadel and Worship and Praise. I would love for my choir to sing at the level of James Hall's choirs, but they (my choir) doesn't seem interested in putting in the time it takes to get to that level.

Although James Hall is not that popular (like a Kirk Franklin and Fred Hammond), you can see his influence in some to the more mainstream groups like Tye Tribbett an GA (Tye says James Hall is his biggest influence) and Youthful Praise.

I came across this video on youtube and immediately thought about James Hall. This group is called D'vyne Worship and they sound amazing. I am waiting for their CD to drop.

Patrick Riddick & D'vyne Worship - Oh Give Thanks

[favoritepsalm1]

I love James Hall as well. I just really started listening to his music seriously about a year ago and now I listen to it constantly (I am trying to learn how to play "The Blood"). I have gotten to the point now where I compare every choir I hear to the Voices of Citadel and Worship and Praise. I would love for my choir to sing at the level of James Hall's choirs, but they (my choir) doesn't seem interested in putting in the time it takes to get to that level.

Although James Hall is not that popular (like a Kirk Franklin and Fred Hammond), you can see his influence in some to the more mainstream groups like Tye Tribbett an GA (Tye says James Hall is his biggest influence) and Youthful Praise.

I came across this video on youtube and immediately thought about James Hall. This group is called D'vyne Worship and they sound amazing. I am waiting for their CD to drop.

Patrick Riddick & D'vyne Worship - Oh Give Thanks

Patrick Riddick actually sings with Ricky Dillard and New G.  He directs for them on a song on the 7th Episode. 

James Hall is definitely in a class by himself.  You hear some of that influence in Youthful Praise because JJ Hairston used to sing with WAP as well. 

Like others have said, your musicians, choir directors, etc who have a mind for challenges and want to sing and play the more "difficult" songs know your James Halls, Thomas Whitfields, and the like very well. 

And when you talk about great choirs, don't forget O'Landa Draper and the Associates.  My favorite choir of all time...

[LaylaMonroe]

I. do. not. like. the. ministry. of. Patrick Riddick. Not at all. I hope I don't get into trouble for saying that so publicly, but I really don't enjoy him in ministry.

Patrick Riddick actually sings with Ricky Dillard and New G.  He directs for them on a song on the 7th Episode. 

James Hall is definitely in a class by himself.  You hear some of that influence in Youthful Praise because JJ Hairston used to sing with WAP as well. 

Like others have said, your musicians, choir directors, etc who have a mind for challenges and want to sing and play the more "difficult" songs know your James Halls, Thomas Whitfields, and the like very well. 

And when you talk about great choirs, don't forget O'Landa Draper and the Associates.  My favorite choir of all time...

You hit the nail on the head with that part in bold. He's just in a class all by himself.  They broke the mold after making him. Dude is just musically cut from a different cloth - as far as gospel music goes.  And yeah, I really enjoyed O'Landa and the Associates too.

Just FYI - in an indirect response to some of the comments that were made about the difficulty of learning/teaching JH's songs, quite a few of them are uncomplicated. I think he usually puts at least one or two on each CD that are easy to teach (I couldn't tell you about learning the music behind it because I don't know). And now that the VOC is recording, he's offering even more "user-friendly" material. My choir just did "Count on Me" from the latest CD and it was extremely easy to learn. We learned it in about 10-15 minutes, I think. Not sure how long it took TJ and the other musicians, but the choir learned it quickly. He Took My Place, Leave Them There, Nobody Like Him, It Pays... I could go on and on naming the "easy" songs... he has plenty of easy material out there.

[B3Wannabe]

I. do. not. like. the. ministry. of. Patrick Riddick. Not at all. I hope I don't get into trouble for saying that so publicly, but I really don't enjoy him in ministry.

You hit the nail on the head with that part in bold. He's just in a class all by himself.  They broke the mold after making him. Dude is just musically cut from a different cloth - as far as gospel music goes.  And yeah, I really enjoyed O'Landa and the Associates too.

Just FYI - in an indirect response to some of the comments that were made about the difficulty of learning/teaching JH's songs, quite a few of them are uncomplicated. I think he usually puts at least one or two on each CD that are easy to teach (I couldn't tell you about learning the music behind it because I don't know). And now that the VOC is recording, he's offering even more "user-friendly" material. My choir just did "Count on Me" from the latest CD and it was extremely easy to learn. We learned it in about 10-15 minutes, I think. Not sure how long it took TJ and the other musicians, but the choir learned it quickly. He Took My Place, Leave Them There, Nobody Like Him, It Pays... I could go on and on naming the "easy" songs... he has plenty of easy material out there.

Yea...We're speaking as musicians....

That's prolly what's wrong right there: singers be like ooooh that's easy, let's do it!...then they hand that song to a musician  that isn't ready for it.

On the other hand, I'm sure the reverse happens too. I know I get bored if the songs are too easy to play.

[LaylaMonroe]

Yea...We're speaking as musicians....

That's prolly what's wrong right there: singers be like ooooh that's easy, let's do it!...then they hand that song to a musician  that isn't ready for it.

On the other hand, I'm sure the reverse happens too. I know I get bored if the songs are too easy to play.

Nah, sometimes I can hear how musically complicated a song is, so I know it would present a major challenge to the average musician. Just like I've always had choir directors who pushed us beyond what we thought were our vocal limits, I think musicians can do the same (push themselves). You never know what you're capable of doing until you try. I can't tell you how many songs I've sung (or taught) with different choirs that were way more complex than I ever imagined I was capable of doing...

I do get the point, though, and of course I realize that as a non-musician, there's no way I can really "get it".

[B3Wannabe]

Nah, sometimes I can hear how musically complicated a song is, so I know it would present a major challenge to the average musician. Just like I've always had choir directors who pushed us beyond what we thought were our vocal limits, I think musicians can do the same (push themselves). You never know what you're capable of doing until you try. I can't tell you how many songs I've sung (or taught) with different choirs that were way more complex than I ever imagined I was capable of doing...

I do get the point, though, and of course I realize that as a non-musician, there's no way I can really "get it".

Yea. Sometimes, people just want to sing a song because they like it, and not because it fits or is within the range of the choir.