On this Good Friday and forthcoming Easter holiday weekend, FOREVER 5th DIMENSION re-visits our video production of “Praise Ye The Lord,” the Biblical phrase so sweetly yet passionately emoted by our beloved husband and wife singing duo, Pastor Billy Davis, Jr. with “special guest,” Ms. Marilyn McCoo. This piece is from Billy’s acclaimed Gospel project co-produced with the man known as “The King of Gospel Music,” Rev. James Cleveland. Originally issued as the LET ME HAVE A DREAM album on Savoy records in 1982, it was re-issued in 2011 as THE LOVE OF GOD on CD by the Davis’ own Soldiers2ndCmg Records. An important musical milestone, this work deftly edifies (the now Pastor) Billy’s Christian walk (as well as his wife’s) and is a “Billy solo project” simply in a class by itself. Songs like “The Love of God,” Davis, Jr.’s homage to both the Soul Stirrers‘ back-in-the-day Gospel hit as well as Rev. Cleveland’s own cover hit of the song are sheer “elegance in tradition.” Billy takes the late Danniebelle Hall‘s Gospel anthem, “Ordinary People” to a poignant personal place, and has some holy fun with “I’m Blessed,” a tune he actually performed on SOLID GOLD, the popular syndicated Pop music/dance show Marilyn hosted at the original time of this release. And Pastor Davis’ duet with Rev. Cleveland on “Steal Away” is the perfect vehicle for not only Cleveland’s textured vocals meeting Billy’s one-of-a-kind soulful timbre, but for repping the melding of the Reverend’s arranging reputation with Billy Davis Jr.’s renowned sensibility–a traditional “hard Gospel” meets an R & B-tinged inspirational delivery that Billy told Forever 5th Dimension, “…was a conscious decision to take Rev. Cleveland’s bold sound design and add my own contemporary vision, we really worked easily in our collaboration.”
For its poise yet charismatic magnificence, the song from THE LOVE OF GOD that Forever 5th Dimension/The Soul of the Voice, Ltd. chooses to feature for this Easter season presentation, “Praise Ye the Lord,” is a beautiful testimony with a “night to day” panoramic expanse, underscoring the vocalists’ quintessential aura–Billy’s ingenious “Sweet-Soul” approach with Marilyn’s trademark smooth yet intensely committed rendering. As biographer of The Original 5th Dimension, “Praise Ye the Lord” has extra special personal significance as it was the closing theme to my drive-time radio show, GOSPEL GOLD of the 80’s, becoming a fan favorite, New York chart-topper as a result. Billy and Marilyn performed this song for the Pope, as well.
For those who may not have heard this rarity, I proudly share it, wishing you the peace and uplift of this spring season of faithful renewal as I honor my dear friends and mentors, Marilyn and Billy…this song embodies their essence as grateful souls whose grace–musical and as the loveliest of people–has inspired generations.
Robert-Allan Arno–Biographer, The Original 5th Dimension
(Copyright 2011-24)
FOREVER 5TH DIMENSION 