The late outsider gospel artist Pastor Champion has a new single out: “Gettin Me Ready” and “Song For My Brother,” a 45 in an eclectic, bright translucent red.
We recently talked to Pastor Champion’s son Bernard about “Song For My Brother,” which we heard for the first time way back in 2018 on his Instagram:
“Oh I love this song!,” he said. “My father used to play this with his brother, Willie. My uncle could play all kinds of instruments … and all at the same time, too. He’d play the organ and the harmonica, and then have a tambourine at his feet. My pops would play the guitar, and they had a great sound together.”
At first, Pastor Champion didn’t want to record this. It was too painful, following his brother's death in 2010. But he came to understand that the song featured the best of him as an artist: It was raw, honest, urgent.
A few weeks ago, we gave a copy to Sam Shepherd (Floating Points) … and then saw “Song For My Brother” pop up on his latest NTS show! If Sam wants you to hear it, then we figured it was probably the right time to share it.
By the way, Pastor Champion’s 2022 debut album, “I Just Want To Be A Good Man,” got a 7.5 from Pitchfork, 4 stars from MOJO, 7/10 from Uncut, so check that out, too!
