"It's Time to Sing" is a show that Marcus Mosely wrote, directed and starred in several years ago. The show was a musical revue - a chronology of Gospel music from slavery to modern time. MArcus received a nomination for a Jesse Richardson Award for outstanding performance in a musical. His musical director, Bill Sample, received a nomination for outstanding musical direction.(http://www.jessies.ca/1988.html)

The original cast was made up of: Candus Churchill, Darren St. Claire, Lovie Eli, Lovena Fox and Marcus Mosely.

This cast (on this "live" recording) was made up of : Dee Daniels, Ralph Cole, Sibel Thrasher, Lovena Fox and Marcus Mosely. Bill Sample played piano and Buff Allen played drums. The performance took place at the Surrey Arts Centre in 1990.

1. The Lord is Blessing Me
performed by complete cast. Opening number of the show and invitation to the audience to join into the spirit of the music.

2. When Miss Sibel Sings
Performed by Ralph Cole. It is an adaptation from a Paul Laurence Dunbar poem "When Malindy Sings" we used to introduce Sibel hrasher singing "Precious Lord".

3. Precious Lord
Performed by Sibel Thrasher. The song was written by Thomas A. Dorsey, the "Father of Gospel Music". Once known as Georgia Tom, a blues pianist who used to play, in speakeasies, for the likes of Ma Rainey. After his conversion, Dorsey began to compose Christian songs with the same chords and style as the over 300 Blues songs he had composed. Needless to say, many in the church were not pleased.

4.Deacon Jones' Grievance
Performed by Ralph Cole. Written by Paul Laurence Dunbar. Deacon Jones is up set about this new music being sung in the church (Gospel) and is letting the Reverend know about it.

5. By and By
Performed by the complete cast. Written by Rev. Charles Albert Tindley. An African American preacher who was part of spiritual renewal awakening which lead to the founding of Pentecostal Holiness movement in the United States. His music, like that of Thomas Dorsey, was known to be full of passion and energy... And was "resisted" by mainline churches.