| Nora Dean's Gospel Career
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Page updated: 5/15/2007 |
 Nora
Dean moved to New York city in 1976 and married to man also of Jamaican
origin. She joined the Times Square Church, where she sang in the choir. As
she explains in the liner notes for "The
Love of God", a serious and protracted illness lead her to realize the
power of prayer, and she was born again in 1981. In 1996, Nora Dean returned
to music and began a new career in gospel, recording at least five CDs.
Fans of reggae, who are not fans of gospel are advised to continue reading.
Each CD has a number of reggae-gospel tracks. In these, though the lyrics
are traditionally devotional, the music contains various aspects of reggae
combined with gospel. Of note is the fact that the CDs are produced and
arranged by Nora and some contain self penned songs. Plus, her voice is as
good as ever. Her singing is more mature, less quirky and is typically in a
lower register than in her earlier music. All of these titles can be
purchased at
www.reggaecd.com. Nora currently lives in
NYC with her family. She performs live at a gospel show with other former
secular reggae stars, such as Hopeton Lewis and Owen Gray. Above is an
flyer for such a show in Boston on April 27, 2003.
 Most Recent Gospel CDs
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At
Calvary
(2006)
Thirteen gospel tracks, a few with reggae influence. Four tracks
were written by Nora. Includes a cover of "Rivers of Babylon". |
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Merry
Christmas
(2004)A
CD of Christmas songs. The first track and the last (its version) is
an older track, as described here. |
Other
Gospel CDs
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Breakthrough
(2003?, released on Evangelist.)
Seven gospel tracks, two Caribbean synth-pop tracks,
and three reggae-gospel tracks. Three of the tracks are self penned.
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My Soul
Loves Jesus
(1996, released on Aquarius.)
Two synth-pop reggae tracks, four reggae-gospel
tracks, and six tracks with more traditional gospel arrangements. Three
of the tracks are self penned.
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Melody of Praise
(1998, released on Aquarius.)
Begins with an 18 song medley of Caribbean sounding synth-pop. The same music is used for each song in the medley, creating
a gospel ragga-light effect. The CD closes with four reggae-gospel
tracks that are influenced by American country music. Three self penned
songs.
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Down On My Knees
(1999, on Faith Gospel
Recording Ministry.)Two reggae-gospel
tracks, six with gospel arrangements, plus two synth-reggae trracks, one
of which is a medley of 15 songs. Four self penned tracks. Guest backing
vocals by Hopeton Lewis on three tracks.
Includes liner
notes. |
The Love of God - Reach Down To Me
(2000, released on Faith
Gospel Records Productions)
Begins with a 6 song Caribbean synth-pop
medley, has another track in this vein, six gospel tracks and one
reggae-gospel track. Three self penned tracks.
Includes liner
notes . |
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