Gospel Singer, Composer, & Pianist Richard Smallwood's Rendition Of His 1987 Composition "Center Of My Joy" And His Gospelized Renditions Of The Hymns "It Is Well" & "Come Ye Disconsolate"

Gaither Music TV, Nov 4, 2016
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The Gospel song "Center Of My Joy" is credited to Richard Smallwood with some lyrics written by Bill and Gloria Gaither. Click https://gaither.com/artists/gloria-gaither/ for information about White American Gospel singers Bill and Gloria Gaither.

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Click https://genius.com/Richard-smallwood-center-of-my-joy-lyrics for the lyrics to this song
which was composed in1987 

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Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases a YouTube video of African American Gospel singer, pianist, composer, arranger, and choir director Richard Smallwood performing "Center Of My Joy", a song he composed along with Gospel singers Bill and Gloria Gaither

This post also showcases a 2008 YouTube video of African American Gospel singer, pianist, composer, arranger, and choir director Richard Smallwood playing the hymns "It is Well" and "Come Ye Disconsolate" and Richard Smallwood and others singing the hymn "It Is Well".

This post also presents some comments from these videos' discussion thread as well as information about Richard Smallwood who passed away on December 30, 2025.

I'm particularly focused on the audience's reaction to and the comments about this African American rendition of these African American gospelized hymns. By "African American gospelized hymns" I mean hymns that are performed in an African American gospel style.

The content of this post is presented for religious, socio-cultural, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks  to Richard Smallwood for his outstanding legacy. Thanks to those who composed these hymns and all those who are featured in these videos. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.

Rest In Peace, Rev, Smallwood. 
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Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-differences-between-black-american.html for the related pancocojams post entitled "The Differences Between Black American Audience Etiquette/Participation And Mainstream American Audience Etiquette/Particpation During Performances."

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SOME INFORMATION ABOUT RICHARD SMALLWOOD
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Smallwood_(musician)
"Richard Lee Smallwood (November 30, 1948 – December 30, 2025) was an American gospel artist who formed the Richard Smallwood Singers in 1977 in Washington, D.C.

Life and career

Richard Smallwood was born in Atlanta on November 20, 1948.[1] He graduated cum laude from Howard University with a dual B.A. degree in classical vocal performance and piano, in addition to graduate work in the field of ethnomusicology.[2] Smallwood was a member of the Celestials, the first gospel group at Howard University. The group was the first gospel act to appear at Switzerland's Montreux Jazz Festival. Smallwood was also a founding member of the university's first gospel choir.

Smallwood's recording career began in 1982 with the album The Richard Smallwood Singers. The album spent 87 weeks on Billboard's gospel chart. Its follow-up, Psalms, was nominated for a Grammy Award. Two years later his Textures album was also nominated. Textures included the song "Center Of My Joy" which was written by Smallwood with Bill and Gloria Gaither. Smallwood won his first Grammy Award, along with a Dove Award, for his production on the Quincy Jones and Mervyn Warren album Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration.

Smallwood's music has been recorded by many artists including Destiny's Child, Yolanda Adams, and Karen Clark-Sheard. He accompanied opera singer Leontyne Price at a Christmas celebration at the White House during the Reagan administration. Smallwood, with his group Vision, recorded several successful projects for the Verity label. He finished his master's degree in divinity from Howard University in 2004 and was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2006.[1]"...

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #2 - Richard Smallwood - It Is Well/Come, Ye Disconsolate



PrazHymn83, Sep 30, 2008

Richard Smallwood ministers with a piano solo of the much-loved hymns "It Is Well" and "Come, Ye Disconsolate," which seques into a church-wide reprisal of "It Is Well."

This can be found on his HIT CD "Persuaded: Live In D.C."

The lady who is obviously quite touched by the piano solo is Richard's mother, the late Mabel R. Smallwood.

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SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THE DISCUSSION THREAD OF SHOWCASE VIDEO #1
Numbers are added for referencing purposes only

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mq6hprGOxpY&list=RDMq6hprGOxpY&start_radio=1

1.@benniebryant2950, 2017
"Dr. Smallwood is truly a gift from God.  I listen to this and Total Praise daily.  He was anointed when he wrote them.  Songs that will renew the spirit!

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2. @charlesTOllie, 2017
"Simply done with grace and dignity....so heartfelt and spiritually uplifting.  Mr. Smallwood is truly a gifted  singer

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3. @Boseakllc, 2024
"Who is  still listening in 2024? I have been humming this song all yesterday. Praise God. God bless you all"

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4.  @lindawyche6837, October 2025
"I'm still here in 2025. Singgggggggggg Richard and ALL the singers! "

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5. @WaterGirlH2o, December 31, 2025
"Mr. Richard Smallwood, may your soul rest in paradise. Your legacy will forever live in our hearts and souls.

💕 💞 🎉"

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SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THE DISCUSSION THREAD OF SHOWCASE VIDEO #2
(with particular attention to people's reactions to this song)

Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oxawED6YT4&list=RD2oxawED6YT4&start_radio=1

1.@willboywonder, 2008
"Love this.  Amen."

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2. @knapier, 2009
"awesome, nuff said........"

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3. @PlatinumDonJuan, 2011
"The man played with his eyes closed!! Now that is letting the spirit just simply take over. He is amazing on he piano the way he can let hit minister to your soul. A true anointing!"

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4. @AmosPressley, 2011
"People who think that music is neutral and doesn't say anything need only look at the audience as the notes are being played. They know EXACTLY what is being said."

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5. @JordanFlyinJets, 2012
"In Memory of my Great Aunt....Mrs.Shirley Weadon (Braddock,Pa)

Much love and respect to Mr.Richard Smallwood....every time he plays the piano he tears it up!"

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6. @MsArtistri, 2012
"God is good."

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7. @bermygirl59, 2012
"Some of us are going through challenging times - seeking employment, issues with health and our families. However, as long as we trust in God and His word, even through our tears we can say, It is well!!"

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