Miles Jaye

Melba Moore - Pure Voice

God has blessed a handful of His children with the gift of Pure Voice. 

For those of us who have been around longer than one or two reality shows and talent contests, we know that the world of vocalists is populated with two types of singers – those who sing and those who sang – the latter not referring to past tense but one who is capable of demonstrating above average vocal ability and emotional output.

Similarly, one could differentiate the quality of voices.

There is the good voice with tonal qualities which make it pleasant to the ear; then the exceptional voice, which I refer to as the Pure Voice.

I could name a few who I believe possess the gift of Pure Voice but I would without a doubt satisfy some and aggravate others by my omissions – I’ll pass.

Suffice it to say, Pure Voice effectively reminds us that the human vocal apparatus is as much an instrument as any horn or stringed instrument - in fact, it is very much like both.

Pure Voice has tonal attributes or distinctive and unique characteristics and in most cases, range.

Pure Voice is capable of breaking glass or rendering both your forearms ablaze with goose pimples.

My first experience with Pure Voice outside Sunday morning when I wasn’t conscious of what was happening to me, or my arms, was the Broadway production of Ossie Davis’ Purlie Victorious.

Opposite Cleavon Little was a petite, amiable character determined to win the heart of Little’s character Reverend Purlie.

Her character was Luttabelle Gussiemae Jenkins – her name was Melba Moore.

In that three act stage-play I got my first lesson on what real sanging was all about.

Melba Moore’s voice is like a beautiful bird soaring, gliding from note to note, phrase after effortless phrase, ascending and descending as if kept her aloft by billowy waves of air.

It was several decades ago when I first witnessed Melba Moore’s Pure Voice on that Broadway stage but I only have to close my eyes and visualize her singing “I Got Love” and a whole new flock of goose pimples seem to appear on my arms.

Perhaps we’ll get lucky and a savvy TV programmer will think to run the film version of Purlie while Ice Cube’s This Sunday is in the theaters.

Since her Tony Award winning starring role as Lutabelle, Melba has made her mark in the music industry with a discography that spans thirty years.

From the release of Peach Melba in 1975 to I’m Still Here and Nobody But Jesus in 2004 Melba has continued to share and showcase her God given gift of voice and charm.

Google Melba Moore and if you find you’re missing any of her CD titles, you owe it to yourself to get on line and order them right away.

I YouTubed Melba so I could revisit video hits from the 80’s like “Love’s Coming At Ya” and “Falling” and I had as much fun listening as I did recalling shags and shoulder pads.

The wonderful thing about Pure Voice is that it is not trend dependent.

Melba’s voice is just as pure and wonderful today as always.

She’s featured in Fighting Temptations with Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Beyonce and is currently starring in the touring production of Ain’t Misbehavin’.

She is also awaiting the commencement of her new assignment in the highly acclaimed theatrical production, The Color Purple.

I spoke with Melba Moore recently.

I asked her what differences she’s observed in music and in the world since her debut in the Broadway production of Hair in the late sixties.

She said it “used to be a gentler world.”

She uttered the word pornography and when I asked her meaning she said “We’ve crossed the line – its porn.” The music is “taken over by gangsters, sex and titillation.”

She continued; “Music is that powerful that we must be careful how we influence.”

About the world she commented “The devil is mad at good people. Churches are exploding with a greater commercial impact on the world. News reports are filled with child molesting, kidnapping and terrorism – hatred is rampant.”

I asked how she has changed and how she would characterize present day Melba Moore.

She first stated that an “artist must grow – the audience wants growth.”

She went on to say, “you can’t see yourself so I’ve learned to see myself through other people’s eyes.”

She shifted into a higher gear when she proclaimed her deep faith in God.

She spoke of her spiritual life as her “first vocation.”

“Job #1 – pray; job #2 read the Bible.”

“Today I work with people that God sends me, not necessarily the ones I pick.”

“God guides your steps in His daily attempts to grow your life.”

In our thirty minute chat it became quite evident that there is so much more to Melba than Pure Voice.

In addition to adding to your Melba Moore CD collection treat yourself to what is a must have for any true Melba fan, her newest labor of love, the DVD live at Lincoln Center.

Melba is featured in full length performance, with full orchestra and full gospel choir in a once in a lifetime Lincoln Center presentation.

If you don’t own anything by this incredible artist, start your collection with a bang and order the DVD.

If it sounds like this writer is biased and a die hard Melba Moore fan – guilty as charged.

There are only a few pure voices in music history and although she sometimes doesn’t receive the accolades she’s deserving of, Melba Moore is, without a doubt, one of them.

<a href=”http://www.legendsdvd.com” target=”_blank”>http://www.legendsdvd.com</a>

Originally published in the Dallas Weekly Feb 2008.