• NEWS
  • REVIEWS
  • INTERVIEWS
  • EVENTS
  • VIDEOS

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest creative news from Blues Scene about music & art.

New York Illustrator, Singer & Songwriter David Heatley Releases Sophomore Album With Elite Of Louisiana’s Avant-Garde Musicians

March 24, 2023

Debra Devi, Danielia Cotton, Katie Henry, The Outcrops to Play at Bowery Electric NYC

March 23, 2023

England’s Folk Legends Megson Release Compelling New Album

March 23, 2023

Review/Gallery: Greta Van Fleet Continue ‘Dreams in Gold’ Tour in Tucson, Arizona

March 23, 2023
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Facebook Twitter Instagram Vimeo
American Blues SceneAmerican Blues Scene
  • NEWS
  • REVIEWS
  • INTERVIEWS
  • EVENTS
  • VIDEOS
American Blues SceneAmerican Blues Scene
Home»Featured»Gaye Adegbalola Shares Freedom Song ‘Tribute to John Lewis: Ain’t No Grave Can Hold His Body Down’
Featured

Gaye Adegbalola Shares Freedom Song ‘Tribute to John Lewis: Ain’t No Grave Can Hold His Body Down’

American Blues Scene StaffBy American Blues Scene StaffJanuary 26, 2022Updated:January 26, 2022No Comments3 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email VKontakte WhatsApp
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

Gaye Adegbalola, Blues Music Award (BMA) winner and founding member of Saffire -The UppityBlues Women (1984-2009), is a multi-instrumentalist and composer. Having penned many blues chestnuts, her songs are known for biting social commentary often cloaked in humor.

Saffire recorded exclusively for Alligator Records. Gaye has 6 CDs on her own label, Hot Toddy Music (Todd being her maiden name) — Three of those in partnership with the VizzTone Label Group. Her CD about LGBTQ issues, Gaye Without Shame, was nominated for a BMA and her children’s CD, Blues in All Flavors, won the Parents’ Choice Gold Award. Her 2019 release, The Griot, chronicles topical blues for topical times.  

Gaye has received the Kristen Lems “Social Change Through Music” Award at the National Women’s Music Festival in 2018 and, in 2019 the “Koko Taylor Queen of the Blues Award” for preserving traditional blues from the Jus’ Blues Foundation.  Along with her music recognitions she is a former Virginia State Teacher of the Year (8th grade science) and has been honored as an OUTstanding Virginian by Equality Virginia. The Library of Virginia has recognized her as one of the 2018 Virginia Women in History Honorees (along with Barbara Kingsolver, Rita Dove and others). 

Mother of son Juno Lumumba Kahlil, Gaye is a long-time activist who continues to provide a voice for those who have been marginalized by society. By definition of her life’s work, she is indeed a griot.  

Today sees the release of Gaye’s “Tribute to John Lewis: Ain’t No Grave Can Hold His Body Down,” the second single in her Freedom Song Trilogy. Civil rights hero and “conscience of Congress” John Lewis often stood alone yet fearless as he was making “good trouble.”

Gaye’s tribute is a song of resurrection as he lives from the grave in the hearts of two U.S. Senators from Georgia elected in 2020, both cloaked in his wisdom and in his non-violent philosophy. The song has the feeling of a long-ago church meeting in the woods, of heaven’s promise of relief from the pain. It echoes a past that has been handed down through the ages with the promise of liberation, of freedom – the pulsating rhythm conjuring up a heartbeat, and its minor key giving it a “from the grave” mournful feeling.  

To heighten the mourn, she knew she wanted a droning cello and called Chris Sexton. He responded with a full string quartet. Let the angels sing!

VizzTone label group · GAYE ADEGBALOLA – Tribute to John Lewis: Ain’t No Grave Can Hold His Body Down

“Tribute to John Lewis” – Choose Preferred Service

Ain't No Grave Can Hold His Body Down Civil Rights Gaye Adegbalola John Lewis Roots Tribute Vizztone
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email WhatsApp
Previous ArticleKeb’ Mo’ Releases New Album ‘Good To Be’
Next Article Robert Allen on Max Weinberg/Garry Tallent Collaboration, ’21st Century Rock ‘n Roll’
American Blues Scene Staff

Related Posts

Gunning and Cormier Cross The Border, Strings Attached 

March 22, 2023

Game-Changing 2023 Remix Of Ten Years After: ‘A Space In Time’

March 20, 2023

In Tune With Robert Connely Farr – The Bentonia Blues Changed His Life

March 20, 2023

Paul Asbell Shares Lucid Memories of His Lightnin’ Slim Days

March 15, 2023

Comments are closed.

Advertisment
Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Events
  • Videos
  • About

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.