BUT CAN HE PITCH?

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JUBILANT
by Jubilant Sykes
released: 1998
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There's no question about it: this cat's got a "SINGular" voice! The few people in this world who have a REALLY remarkable gift are invariably recognized at a young age. I was in Boys Chorus with Jubilant Sykes at John Adams Junior High School in Santa Monica, California, in 1972, and our vocal coach, Linda Anderson, ascertained that she had found a world-class singer in Jubilant in no-time flat! In her ears, there was "him", and then there was "all the other children". (Teacher's pet!)
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I'll never forget auditioning at Anderson's piano. She gave me this funny look. "With Jubilant?" I queried, hopefully. "No", she answered. "With all the other kids?", I asked dejectedly. "No", she shook her head again, "with all the other whining dogs at the kennel."
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My music aspirations had come to an ignoble end. But Jubilant was headed for big things and we all knew that.
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I still have the LP recording from the Santa Monica Unified School District's, 1972, STAIRWAY OF THE STARS concert, which included Jubilant (with hair) as the featured soloist.
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(*AN ASIDE: This 1972 public school district-sanctioned performance included the Judeo-Christian musical compositions, 'In The Beginning Of Creation' [a choral "portrayal of the Lord's creation of order out of chaos."]; 'When I Was Sinkin' Down'; 'Great God A'mighty'; 'Sit Down, Servant'; and 'Alleluia'. Obviously the A.C.L.U. and other Communist front organizations had not yet discovered that with the help of Liberal revisionist judges, they could banish such public religious expression under the completely bogus, NON-EXISTENT principle of "Separation Of Church And State". Try to find it in the Constitution! And be sure to read David Barton's great book, 'ORIGNAL INTENT: The Courst, The Constitution, & Religion'.)
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'JUBILANT' is an excellent showcase for its singer's God-given gift. The simple Jazz-inflected arrangements are the perfect complement to Jubilant's soulful, Good News-inspired voice. Watch those tear ducts when, in 'MARY, DID YOU KNOW?', he sings:
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DID YOU KNOW THAT YOUR BABY BOY HAS COME TO MAKE YOU NEW?
THIS CHILD THAT YOU DELIVERED
HE WILL SOON DELIVER YOU...
DID YOU KNOW THAT YOUR BABY BOY HAS WALKED WHERE ANGELS TROD?
AND WHEN YOU KISS YOUR LITTLE BABY
YOU'VE KISSED THE FACE OF GOD?
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I've been listening to Jubilant since 1972, and to 'JUBILANT' since 1998. My only complaint with this excellent collection of "Good News" songs is that I've always had a difficult time finding the proper volume in which to play it. His voice rises and falls considerably as a natural result of his vocal style and phrasing, and if I play this CD loud enough to discern the quieter moments, it becomes too loud when he goes to the rafters. But any lower and I can't hear some passages well enough. Still, this is a small price to pay for music this glorious. Don't let it cause you to hesitate in making this purchase if the idea of hearing great Gospel painted by a certifiably great voice appeals to you!
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Sure, Jubilant has ALWAYS been a tremendous singer; in that, there can be NO argument! He surely deserves all of the accolades he's received. But I'll tell ya what: not in a million tries could he have beaten me in a game of Wiffle Ball out on the playground and, after all, which is more important, music or Wiffle Ball?
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(*Jubilant, I'm proud of you, and God must be pleased with the way you're handling His gift; thanks for sharing it with us, Brother!)
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~ Stephen T. McCarthy
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