Welcome to the New 12th Gate Coffee House!
Tonight we bring to our virtual stage the magnificent dinging group, Sweet Honey in the Rock. The group was founded in 1973 by Bernice Johnson Reagon who formed the group out of singers from a vocal workshop she was teaching with the Washington, D.C. Black Repertory Company. Reagon retired from the group in 2004.
On February 28, 1927 in Memphis, Tennessee, the blind sanctified singer Mamie Forehand recorded a refrain based on Psalm 81:16. In this passage of scripture the poet and musician King David advised
his people that if they would serve the Lord they would be rewarded by being fed “honey out of the rock,” the place where according to legend of that time, the sweetest nectar was produced. The song became widely popular among Pentecostal, Baptist and Methodist congregations but, as often happens,
it underwent a slight textual change on its way to popularity. While Forehand titled her song “Honey In The Rock” and sang those words, random congregations soon added the adjective “sweet” to the title, and the
song has come down through history as “Sweet Honey in the Rock.” Forty-six years after Forehand introduced the song, the first quintet of African-American women to grace the group organized an a cappella group and called themselves “Sweet Honey In The Rock.” It would not overstate the case
to add the overworked – but definitely applicable – phrase “and the rest is history.”
Please welcome to the stage, Sweet Honey in the Rock -Sylvie. Recorded in foyer of Sydney’s
spectacular art deco State Theatre for Australian TV during Australian tour in
1990.
Rooted in a deeply held commitment to create music out of the rich textures of African American legacy and traditions, Sweet Honey In The Rock possesses a stunning vocal prowess that captures the complex sounds of Blues, spirituals, traditional gospel hymns, rap, reggae, African chants, Hip Hop, ancient lullabies, and jazz improvisation. Sweet Honey’s collective voice, occasionally accompanied by hand percussion instruments, produces a sound filled with soulful harmonies and intricate rhythms. (from bio)
I’ll write your name was recorded at the Voices Festival in Maastricht 1990. Do notice the Scat singing!
In addition to Reagon, 21 present or former members sang with the group over time – often they told stories of hard truth. We Bring More Than a Paycheck. (Only Music)
Finally, let’s close with the stirring song, We Who Believe in Freedom Will Not Rest
Thanks for dropping by our new site. Additional links to learn more about Swett Honey in the Rock.
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Wonderful concert! It’s been years since I’ve listened to them – someplace in storage I’ve got one of their cassettes, which I got when I first started listening to Holly Near back in the 80′s. They were in the “Women’s Music” section at the record store, along with Holly, who by the way, also does a very good version of “We who believe in freedom”.
That brings back memories. Especially Sylvie, because I used to sing a lot of songs like that when I was younger. Had some song books from the library with piano accompaniment. One I liked the best was “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child.”
My parents both sang, and so did all us kids. Well, we still do–just not together, anymore.