King Louis H Narcisse - It's So Nice To Be Nice

Tuesday 6th May 2003
King Louis H Narcisse - It's So Nice To Be Nice
King Louis H Narcisse - It's So Nice To Be Nice

STYLE: Gospel
RATING 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 7262-7035
LABEL: Gospel Treasures
FORMAT: CD Album

Reviewed by Tony Cummings

In the entire fascinating history of 20th century Christian music there can be few figures as talented and influential yet – from a Christian lifestyle standpoint – as theologically beyond the pale as Bishop Louis H Narcisse. Here was a singer, preacher and founder of the Mount Zion Spiritual Temple in Oakland whose services and radio programmes regularly featured Edwin Hawkins and whose theatrical flamboyance influenced people like Little Richard and Solomon Burke. But he was also a practicing homosexual who mismanaged church funds, seemingly wanted to fuse Pentecostalism with Roman Catholic ritual, claimed all kinds of miraculous cures in exchange for money and liked to dress in a king’s crown and robes. Regardless of his excesses his music was often sublime, soulful songs sung in a rich, baritone often accompanied by congregational support or a full blooded choir. This compilation pulls together 22 recordings made between 1949 and 1962 including some incredibly rare (and crudely recorded) stuff. One particular standout is “Give Me Wings Lord” with a vocal by Theola Kilgore, a soulful sister who was to gain brief R&B success in the ‘60s. A fascinating set from one of gospel’s most controversial figures.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.

Reader Comments

Posted by Pincess Pat in Berkeley, CA @ 01:26 on Mar 4 2023

Amen

And I will have to agree with Regina about the King's teaching and the Choir Marching in Singing Leaning On Jesus. I have very fond memories of the Combined Choirs and the King playing Leaning On Jesus. I miss those good days. Peace Be With you





Posted by Regina Pumphrey-Ford in Fremont Calif @ 06:59 on Mar 6 2022

I will never forget king Narcisse, he taught me a lot just by listening to his sermons and listening to his choir marching in singing "Leaning on Jesus"







Posted by Deaconess Burnett in Sacramento CA. @ 17:30 on Apr 11 2011

I do remember his Grace, i will never forget those words, he always spoke, It's Nice to Be Nice, and It's Real Nice to Let Others Know that You are Nice. We live in a world were so many people don't have respect for each other any more. Times have gotten worst. I enjoyed singing in His Grace choir, the live broadcast, that was some of the most enjoyable times of my childhood and i will never ever forget that. People are going to say good things and bad things no matter how much we tired to live for Jesus. God is our Supreme Judge. His Grace taught a lot of people the way to Christ and it's up to us to continue Leaning and Trust In Jesus. AMEN



Posted by Cardinal Joseph in Baton Rouge, LA @ 16:05 on Oct 10 2010

It is nice to be nice
I have a video of one of Mt. Zion services if anyone is intresting ing one.


Reply by Empress-Y Narcisse in California @ 16:16 on Jan 28 2020

I am interested in having a copy of the serve you mentioned. The Family is planning a foundation in his name. We would very much like to have recordings or pictures of this time to be apart of the foundation and website being developed. For you donation of these assets we will mention your name on the website.

[report abuse]

Reply by Prince Red in Atlanta,Ga @ 23:59 on Feb 25 2015

Say I would like a copy....Let me know what I need to do..would be glad to own a copy.Bless U..

[report abuse]

Reply by PATRICIA T SMITH in Berkeley, California @ 22:30 on Dec 21 2010

Posted by Cardinal Joseph in Baton Rouge, LA @ 16:05 on Oct 10 2010

It is nice to be nice
I have a video of one of Mt. Zion services if anyone is intresting ing one.

God Is Great & Greatly To Be Praised!! It Is Nice To Be Nice And It Is Real Nice To Let Others Know That You Are Nice,

Yes, Cardinal Joseph, I would love to have a video of the Services at Mt. Zion Spiritual Temple. I'd like to know how I can get one? Thanks

[report abuse]


Posted by Deaconess Betty Lohn in Sacramento California @ 00:39 on Jul 14 2010

To MTR.Oliver, whom Ihave not seen sin my childhood in Glen Elder. My Mother is Thelma Sellers. We came out from the same leader, His Grace, and Queen MTR. Lillie Jefferson. His teaching his training and the love that he had for all his children.Where it is nice to be nice. I remember his words,his prayers, his sing everytime I look at his picture in living room.



Posted by Betty Johnson in Sacramento CA @ 03:06 on Jun 22 2010

King Louis Narcisse was a great person .His teaching will be with me always.I Loved to hear his sing and enjoyed sitting around him on South Ave. He prayed for me by phone when I had an auto accident. Just as he spoke to me telling me what the Dr. was going to say that my neck was broken, the 2nd X-ray was going to be alright. My body was healed.There was other things he spoke to me about has come to pass.



Posted by Rev Terry Oliver in Florida @ 08:23 on Dec 1 2009

Thank You for your well wishes Princess Pat. Yes Mary Oliver is my mother and is still imparting the spirit of Christ and is passing her teachings as well. I have been under her training as well as His Grace's teachings a long time. She is well vested in God in his holy spirit. My sisters(Princess Renay and Sandra Maria and brother all are well and exercising our heritage and birthrights in Christ. Peace Be with you and your anointed family. Rev. Prophet Terry Oliver



Posted by Rev. Terry Oliver in Florida @ 20:21 on Oct 20 2009

Many have stated such kind words which are true and vivid in my mind. As a young child, he called me and my family (Rev. Mother Oliver) to wish us well. He prayed with us as we shared in our worship time. He spoke things that others will never know. He refered to us as his "Florida Temple. I know GOD was vibrant in his spirit. I will miss the guidience and insight he gave us all.


Reply by Princess PATRICIA T in Berkeley, CA @ 22:57 on Mar 12 2014

Hello Terry,

This is Princess Pat from the Mt. Zion Spiritual Temple the West Coast Kingdom of "His Grace Thee King Dr." Louis H. Narcisse, Where it is nice to be nice, So it be my Lord, it is so my Lord~ What I want to know is if you could please send me your info to where and how I can reach you and Mother Mary Oliver because I am in need of some Spiritual Help as of right now and I know that you would know how to give me the scriptures and the affirmations that "His Grace" used to say and I already know the salutations~ I have been dealing with so many different Spirits and I am getting tired of it and I just need some real guidance in my Spiritual walk~ If you can send me your phone number that would be very much appreciated as well~

[report abuse]

Reply by PATRICIA T SMITH in Berkeley, California @ 23:43 on Oct 29 2009

Hello Rev. Terry Oliver,

Is Rev. Mother Mary Oliver your mother? How is Princess Renee Oliver doing? I remember hearing the King speak of you all there in Florida. "It's Nice to be nice, and it's real nice to let others know that you are nice". I miss the teachings of His Grace as well. I attended the Mother Temple of Mt. Zion for many years. I am in California. I miss His Grace. I just thought that I'd drop you a couple of lines. You can e-mail me at: Patti_LaBelle_2@yahoo.com.... I am Princess Pat from the Berkeley/Oakland, California Temple....

[report abuse]


Posted by PATRICIA T SMITH-Pat in Berkeley, CA @ 07:15 on Sep 14 2009

I used to attend the Mt. Zion Spiritual Temple under the Leadership of "His Grace thee King Dr." Louis H. Narcisse, D. D., and it was a joy to be in the midst of "His Grace thee King Dr." Louis H. Narcisse, D. D., God's Holy Prophet, High Priest and King. I used to sing in the Wings of Faith Combined Choirs and I used to attend the Tuesday Night Prayer Service, The Royal Order of Spiritual Women's Service on Thursday Nights, The Monday Night Musical of Joy, and the Friday Night Consecrated Services as well as the Sunday Morning Services and the Sunday Night Broadcast Services and the Mt. Zion Sunday School of Wisdom on Sunday Mornings. I used to listen to the Sunday Morning Broadcast Services. I thank God that I was able to let "His Grace thee King Dr." Louis H. Narcisse, D. D., know how much that I appreciated him. The King was always a kind hearted person and he always helped God's people everywhere. I am glad that "His Grace thee King Dr." Louis H. Narcisse, D. D., had always accepted me as his Goddaughter and I thank God for my Godfather "His Grace thee King Dr." Louis H. Narcisse, D. D., God's Holy Prophet, High Priest and King. I miss you Your Grace and thank you for the many years that you sacraficed your young life to help God's People everywhere.

Humbly Submitted By:

Miss Patricia T. Smith "Pat"
Also Known As: Princess Pat
Berkeley, CA
E-Mail: Patti_LaBelle_2@yahoo.com



Posted by Princess Pat T Smith in Berkeley, CA @ 21:29 on Sep 8 2009

Yes, I am referring to the question that Katherine Campbell was asking about the video clip where she saw her mother and her father. It is posted on youtube. You can write to Bishop Arthur Burnett

He might have some video clips of King Narcisse the one that was posted on youtube.



The opinions expressed in the Reader Comments are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms.

Add your comment

We welcome your opinions but libellous and abusive comments are not allowed.












We are committed to protecting your privacy. By clicking 'Send comment' you consent to Cross Rhythms storing and processing your personal data. For more information about how we care for your data please see our privacy policy.