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Willie Neal Johnson, Just a Rehearsal: Music Lifts 🎶 🏋 No. 5 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner/The Musical Hype; Malaco; cottonbro studio, Itzel Sandoval, Neeraj Nagdeve via Pexels]In the 5th edition of Music Lifts (2023), we’re uplifted by Willie Neal Johnson and The Gospel Keynotes performing, “Just a Rehearsal.”

“When we make it to heaven, no more mistakes for me.” Hallelujah 🙌!  Welcome to Music Lifts 🎶 🏋, a column that seeks to highlight songs that encourage, inspire, and uplift the spirit; songs that exude fortitude, positivity, and resolve, even in the face of adversity.  Featured songs aren’t genre-specific; songs may or may not be faith-based. The goal is for these songs to make you feel better – be LIFTED to new heights!  So, for the 5th edition of Music Lifts 🎶 🏋 (2023), we highlight 🎵 “Just a Rehearsal” as performed by 🎙 Willie Neal Johnson and the Gospel Keynotes..

Willie Neal Johnson and the Gospel Keynotes, Just A Rehearsal [📷: Malaco]

“This is just a rehearsal, when we get to heaven, y’all / We’re gonna really sing.” Think about that key line from the 🎙 Willie Neal Johnson and the Gospel Keynotes classic, 🎵 “Just a Rehearsal”.  For those who believe, our life on Earth is the rehearsal for what is to come – eternity – ideally in heaven as opposed to hell.  Willie Neal Johnson and the Gospel Keynotes already sounded amazing when they recorded this song, which appeared on their 1985 album, 💿 Just a Rehearsal.

balancing a barbell on fingerWillie Neal asserts in the first verse, “I like to sing each and every night / Sometimes this old voice, it just won’t act right.”  I have no doubt that is true; we are mere mortals! Johnson and company go on to add, however, “Gonna keep on singing so the world will see / When we make it to heaven, we’ll sing in perfect harmony.” Hallelujah 🙌! Backed by a spirited groove, and a bright major key backdrop, it is hard not to feel uplifted and optimistic about eternal life in heaven.  Even if you don’t believe, you’ve got to appreciate the faith exuded by Willie Neal Johnson and the Gospel Keynotes.  The authenticity is lit 🔥! Also, worth checking out is 🎙 Paul Porter performing this beloved black gospel classic.


🎙 Willie Neal Johnson and the Gospel Keynotes 💿 Just A Rehearsal 🏷 Malaco • 📅 1985

Willie Neal Johnson, Just a Rehearsal: Music Lifts 🎶 🏋 No. 5 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner/The Musical Hype; Malaco; cottonbro studio, Itzel  Sandoval, Neeraj Nagdeve via Pexels]

 


the musical hype

the musical hype (Brent Faulkner) has earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music (music education, music theory/composition respectively). A multi-instrumentalist, he plays piano, trombone, and organ among numerous other instruments. He's a certified music educator, composer, and freelance music blogger. Faulkner cites music and writing as two of the most important parts of his life. Notably, he's blessed with a great ear, possessing perfect pitch.

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