Steppin' Out (Gospel Hummingbirds album)

Steppin' Out
Studio album by Gospel Hummingbirds
Released	1992
Genre	Gospel, R&B
Label	Blind Pig
Producer	Bonnie Hayes, Jimmy Pugh
Gospel Hummingbirds chronology
Route 66 to Heaven (1981) Steppin' Out (1992) Taking Flight (1995)

Steppin' Out is an album by the American musical group Gospel Hummingbirds, released in 1992. ^{[1] [2]} It was the first gospel album to be released by Blind Pig Records. ^[3] Steppin' Out was nominated for a Grammy Award for "Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album". ^[4]

Production

The album was produced by Bonnie Hayes and Jimmy Pugh. ^[5] The backing musicians included members of Robert Cray's band. ^[6] The harmonies were arranged by group member Joe Thomas, who was influenced chiefly by the Swan Silvertones. ^[7] "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" is a version of the traditional Christian hymn. ^[8]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
All Music Guide	[9]
Chicago Tribune	[10]
The Grove Press Guide to the Blues on CD	[11]
Los Angeles Times	[12]
Oakland Tribune	[13]
Orlando Sentinel	[14]
The Philadelphia Inquirer	[15]

The Chicago Tribune noted that "few other gospel groups so successfully blur the lines between gospel and rhythm and blues". ^[10] The Orlando Sentinel praised "That Same Thing", calling it "a toe-tapping number that starts with a funky, tumbling bass line and Roy Tyler's hearty, joyful voice". ^[14] The Los Angeles Times opined that "the vocal blend on the ballad 'Change', notably the falsetto flourishes, and the jazzy groove of 'Safety Zone' are the only distinctive songs here." ^[12] The San Antonio Express-News said that the "full rocking band that really brings the rock of ages message home". ^[16] The Philadelphia Inquirer stated that the "rhythms combine the street and the pulpit into an effortless puree." ^[15] Stereo Review pointed out that the lead singer, Rob Tyler, composed some of the album's most compelling tracks. ^[17]

Track listing

No.	Title	Length
1.	"That Same Thing"
2.	"Don't Let the Devil Ride"
3.	"Don't Move the Mountain"
4.	"Change"
5.	"Judgement Day"
6.	"Step Out"
7.	"He'll Be Your Friend"
8.	"Here I Am"
9.	"Swing Low Sweet Chariot"
10.	"Ain't Nobody's Business"
11.	"Safety Zone"
12.	"Any Day"

References

1. Hansen, Liane (April 19, 1992). "'Steppin' Out': Album by Gospel Hummingbirds". All Things Considered. NPR.
2. Ouellette, Dan (July 1992). "Steppin' Out by Gospel Hummingbirds". DownBeat. Vol. 59, no. 7. p. 50.
3. Heim, Chris (January 10, 1992). "Albums slated for '92 in country, jazz, blues, world music". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. N.
4. "Grammy nominees". The Baltimore Sun. January 8, 1993. p. 2D.
5. "Album Reviews". Billboard. Vol. 104, no. 18. May 2, 1992. p. 61.
6. Rosen, Steven (March 20, 1992). "New CDs deliver the soul of soul". The Denver Post. p. 1F.
7. Hildebrand, Lee (February 16, 1992). "Gospel in the Night Spots". Datebook. San Francisco Chronicle. p. 23.
8. "Best Bets". The Modesto Bee. March 8, 1992. p. H1.
9. All Music Guide (4th ed.). Backbeat Books. 2001. p. 602.
10. Kening, Dan (March 5, 1992). "Rave recordings". Tempo. Chicago Tribune. p. 6.
11. Hadley, Frank-John (1993). The Grove Press Guide to the Blues on CD. Grove Press. p. 79.
12. Snowden, Don (October 4, 1992). "On the Offbeat". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 70.
13. Kelp, Larry (February 2, 1992). "Recordings". Sunday. Oakland Tribune. p. 5.
14. Gettelman, Parry (June 19, 1992). "Records". Calendar. Orlando Sentinel. p. 6.
15. Moon, Tom (February 16, 1992). "New recordings". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. F10.
16. Young, Ron (December 6, 1992). "Gospel groups show spirit through music". San Antonio Express-News. p. J5.
17. "Steppin' Out by Gospel Hummingbirds". Stereo Review. Vol. 57, no. 7. July 1992. p. 74.