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BLUES
& GOSPEL
Various
Artists Collections - Post War Gospel
1950s
Gospel Classics ->Gospel At Newport
| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Document DOCD 5464 |
1950s Gospel Classics |
● CD $15.98 |
25 tracks, 66 mins, essential
A superb and varied collection
of post war gospel featuring almost the entire output of the wonderful
Reverend Anderson Johnson - an exceptional singer and a fine steel
guitarist. It includes his rare first recording of the ferocious God
Don't Like It/ Lord Will Make A Way recorded for the Angel label some
time before his more well known recordings cut in 1953 - this features
some really wild steel guitar. The remainder of his sides are a little
more restrained but features some great songs and singing. Singer &
(possibly) electric guitarist Henry Green recorded two powerful and somber
songs in Chicago in 1952 - the topical Storm Thru Mississippi and
the old favorite Strange Things. There are two tracks featuring the
infrequently recorded style of "lining hymn" by Deacon Leroy
Shinault. There are five somewhat more polished sides from singer/ piano
player Rev. Robert Ballinger and four sides featuring singer/ guitarist
Professor Johnson & His Gospel Singers - his playing is stringly
reminiscent of Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Excellent sound and good notes from
gospel expert Bob Laughton. (FS)
REV. ROBERT BALLINGER: How I Got Over/ Let It Be/ So Glad/ This Train/
Walking The Road/ HENRY GREEN: Storm Thru Mississippi/ Strange Things/
REV. A. JOHNSON: Death In The Morning/ Do You Call That Religion?/ God
Don't Like It (52-96)/ God Don't Like It (gr-15055)/ I Don't Know How To
Get Along Without The Lord/ I'm Gonna Do My Best/ If I Could Hear My
Mother Pray Again/ Jesus Loves Us All/ Let That Liar Pass On By/ Lord Will
Make A Way (52-176)/ Run, Children, Run/ The Lord Will Make A Way Somehow
(gr-15132)/ PROFESSOR JOHNSON & HIS GOSPEL SINGERS: Angels/ Give Me
That Old Time Religion/ Standing In The Safety Zone/ Where Shall I Be/
DEACON LEROY. SHINAULT: I Cannot Live In Sin/ Lord I Come To Thee
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Rounder 1137 |
A Warrior On The Battlefield - A Capella
Trail Blazers |
● CD $15.98 |
25 tracks, 73 mins, essential
Stunning collection of
acapella quartet singing covering the period 1927 through 1942 showing the
evolution of the music from older four-part barbershop style harmonies to
the more sophisticated jubilee style perfected by the Golden Gate Quartet.
If you feel overwhelmed by the extensive series of Document quartet
reissues of "Complete Recordings In Chronological Order" this
disc is a perfect introduction to some of the very best performances from
such performers as The Norfolk Jubilee Quartette, Bethel Quartet, Silver
Leaf Quartette Of Norfolk, The Davis Bible Singers, The Heavenly Gospel
Singers and, of course, the Golden Gate Quartet. It's nearly all gospel
with one delightful secular performance from the Pullman Porters Quartette
doing Jog-a-long boys. Beautifully remastered by audio wizard Jack
Towers with extensive notes from compilers Kip Lornell & Dick
Spottswood. (FS)
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Collectables 5336 |
Amazing Grace |
● CD $11.98 |
CD issue of Krazy Kat 836. 14 gospel gems from the Gotham
label vaults including two previously unissued acapella tracks by the
great Dixie Hummingbirds from 1949 plus recordings by The Harmonizing
Four, Edna Gallmon Cook, Rugged Cross Singers Of Baltimore, The Davis
Sisters and others.
EDNA GALLMON COOK: Glory To His Name/ I've Been Redeemed/ THE DAVIS
SISTERS: Get Away Jordan/ If Jesus Is Near/ THE DIXIE HUMMINGBIRDS: Born
To Die/ Dear Lord Look Down Upon Me/ THE ECHO GOSPEL SINGERS OF BALTIMORE,
MD.: I Want Jesus To Walk With Me/ I'm Gonna Have A Happy Time/ THE
EVENING STAR QUARTET: Lord Take My Hand/ My Time Ain't Long/ THE
HARMONIZING FOUR: Amazing Grace/ Come Over Here/ I Found The Lord/ THE
RUGGED CROSS SINGERS OF BALTIMORE, MD.: Try God
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Arhoolie 111 |
American Masters, Vol. 11 - 15 Down Home
Gospel Classic |
● CD $7.98 |
Great sides from Annie Mae McDowell, Big Joe & Mary
Williams, Rev. Louis Overstreet, Fred McDowell & Johnny Woods, Aubrey
Ghent, Sonny Treadway, Jesse Fuller, etc
BLACK ACE: Farther Along/ THE CAMPBELL BROTHERS FEATURING KATIE JACKSO: I
Feel Good/ JESSE FULLER: Amazing Grace/ AUBREY GHENT: Praise Music/ Just A
Closer Walk With Thee/ MANCE LIPSCOMB: Motherless Children/ ANNIE MAE
& FRED MCDOWELL: I'm Going Over The Hill/ FRED MCDOWELL & JOHNNY
WOODS: Keep Your Lamp Trimmed And Burning/ REV. LOUIS OVERSTREET: I'm
Working On A Building/ THE PARAMOUNT SINGERS: There's A Leak In This Old
Building/ REBECCA SMITH, TOM MILLER & RUTH MILLER: I've Got Religion/
SONNY TREADWAY: Jesus Will Fix It For You/ ROBERT PETE WILLIAMS: Sinner
Don't You Know/ BIG JOE WILLIAMS & MARY WILLIAMS: I Want My Crown/
ELDER ROMA WILSON: Gonna Wait Till A Change Come
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Smithsonian Folkways 40031 |
Been In The Storm So Long |
● CD $15.98 |
A collection of spirituals and shouts, prayers, folk tales
and children's games recorded on Johns Island, South Carolina in the early
60s. This island features some of the last survivals of the
"Gullah" folk culture. The set is compiled from two out of print
Folkways albums (3841 & 3842) with new notes by Guy & Candi
Carawan.
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Document DOCD 5221 |
Country Gospel |
● CD $15.98 |
25 tracks, 70 min., recommended
The presumed link between
these two black acts is that they both once seemed to belong in the
country gospel category and even had recordings released in the
hillbilly/country numbering series for the respective companies. Fair
enough. But there are some significant differences as well. The Two Gospel
Keys, who recorded for r&b labels such as Apollo and Red Robin
Records, put out a relatively tame, country-inflected sound on their 17
tracks here, including Charity/ I Want My Crown, and Every Man
Got to Lay Down and Die. But Sister O. M. Terrell positively rocks the
joint with her intense vocals and Sister Rosetta Tharpe flavored guitar
work. Her intense but minimal repertoire of eight recorded works, from the
Playboy and Columbia labels, includes Life Is a Problem/ The Bible's
Right, and I'm Going to That City. Not music to miss out on.
Sound is generally good as are the brief notes. And there's a rather fuzzy
cover photo of the Gospel Keys which provides the cover art. (DH)
SISTER O. M. TERRELL: God's Little Birds/ How Long/ I'm Going To That
City/ Life Is A Problem/ Lord I Want You To Lead Me On/ Swing Low Sweet
Chariot/ The Bible's Right/ The Gambling Man/ THE TWO GOSPEL KEYS: Can't
No Grave Hold My Body Down/ Charity/ Every Man Got To Lay Down And Die/ I
Can't Feel At Home In This World Anymore (alt. take)/ I Can't Tarry/ I
Don't Feel At Home In This World Anymore/ I Don't Want To Go Down There
Pt. 1/ I Don't Want To Go Down There Pt. 2/ I Love Traveling/ I Want My
Crown/ Jesus Met The Woman At The Well/ Precious Lord (C-2083)/ Precious
Lord (D-713)/ This Heart Of Mine/ We're Gonna Have A Good Time/ You've Got
To Move (D-714)/ You've Got To Move (When The Lord Gets Ready)
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Vanguard VMD 79505 |
Early Soul Gospel |
● CD $13.98 |
Black gospel from the Vanguard archives - Clara Ward
Singers, The Freedom Singers, Swan Silvertone Singers, Mississippi John
Hurt, Staple Singers and others.
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Specialty 7067 |
Free At Last - Gospel Quartets From Stax
Records' Chalice Label |
● CD $15.98 |
24 tracks, 78 min., highly recommended
A straight reissue of
the 1993 Ace/Stax
Distrub My Soul CD, these 1965/1966 modern gospel recordings (14 unissued)
feature 4 male groups : The Dixie Nightingales (9), The Jubilee
Hummingbirds (6), The Pattersonaires (5) and The Stars Of Virginia (4).
Sure enough soul fans will know that The Dixie Nightingales feature the
lead tenor of Ollie Braxton Hoskins (1936-1997) of Ollie & The
Nightingales fame. Influenced by Ira Tucker & Kylo Turner, his leads
remind me a little of O. V. Wright, especially on The Assassination
and the near 6 minute This Is Our Prayer. The Pattersonaires,
formed by pianist/arranger/songwriter Willie Louis Gordon (1927-1997),
feature the lead tenor of James Shelton, especially effective on God's
Promise. As for the 2 remaining groups, little is known about them,
which is a shame as they put in good performances. The original notes by
Chris Smith have been updated by Grammy Award-winner, Rob Bowman. (EL)
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Ace CDCHD 537 |
Get On Board Little Children - The Modern
Gospel Recordings |
● CD $18.98 |
28 tracks, 78 mins, highly recommended
Available again at a
lower price. Wonderful collection of gospel music drawn from the Modern/
RPM group of labels. Although some of this has been reissued before on two
P-Vine the sound, presentation and selection are superior here. Although
Modern did not have an extensive catalog of gospel what it did have
included some exceptional as this collection, which includes a number of
unissued sides, clearly shows. The material is varied and includes the magnificant Atlanta quartet Echoes Of Zion with six tracks (3 previously
unissued) including the moving A Charge To Keep I Have. Singer/
piano player Madame Ira Mae Littlejohn is a wonderfully intesne singer
with two powerful songs, Rev. G.W. Killens leads the Mount Calvary
Congregation in Oakland, California in a beautiful lined out version of Father,
I Stretch My Arms To Thee while Rev. C.C. Chapman in Los Angeles leads
the Faith Temple Choir on the two part sanctified On My Way with
rocking organ, drums, tambourine and enthusiastic hand clapping. The set
also includes Prof James Earle Hine & His Goodwill Singers, The Four
Star Quartet, Rev. Louis Narcisse and others. Great sound, informative
notes by Chris Smith and such discographical information as is known. (FS)
REV C C CHAPMAN & THE FAITH TEMPLE CHOIR: On My Way/ THE ECHOES OF
ZION: A Charge To Keep I Have/ Climbing Jacob's Ladder/ I Took My Master's
Hand/ I'll Rest After Awhile/ King Jesus Is Listening/ Those Chiming
Bells/ THE FOUR STAR QUARTET: In My Savior's Care/ Steal Away To Jesus/
THE HARMONIZERS: I John Saw/ Satisfied/ JAMES EARLE HINES AND HIS GOODWILL
SINGERS: Daniel/ Get On Board/ God Rode In The Windstorm/ Heavenly
Highway/ LILLIAN HOLMES AND MADAM WESLEY MAE WALKER: Jesus Said If You Go/
G W KILLENS AND THE MT CALVARY CONGREGATION: Father, I Stretch My Arms To
Thee/ MADAM IRA MAE LITTLEJOHN: Go Devil Go/ I Wanna See Jesus/ REV LOUIS
NARCISSE: Why Should I Worry/ THE SMITH JUBILEE SINGERS: Dig A Little
Deeper/ Just A Little Talk With Jesus/ Lord Remember Me/ THE SWANEE RIVER
QUARTET: Brother Noah/ On The Battlefield For The Lord/ Take Your Burdens
To The Lord/ The Sun Will Never Go Down
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Heritage HTCD 01 |
Get Right With God |
● CD $16.98 |
A superb collection of 24 gospel recordings, mostly from the
40s and 50s, drawn from two volumes of gospel on Krazy Kat (7417 &
7424). The music here is so good that it is impossible to pick favorites -
perhaps the most remarkable tracks are two by Rev. Charlie Jackson, a
performer who recorded in the 70s accompanying by some incredibly funky
electric guitar. Other performers include The Radio Four, rev Anderson
Johnson (with steel guitar!), National Independent Gospel Singers, Rev
B.C. Campbell, Sister O. M. Terrell, Echoes Of Zion (their fabulous Atlanta's
Tragic Monday), Southern Revivalists Of New Orleans (who provide the
sets title tune), The Violinaires, etc. Sound is generally very good. An
outstanding collection. (FS)
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Specialty 7068 |
Golden Age Gospel Choirs, 1954-1963 |
● CD $15.98 |
23 tracks recorded for Tru-Sound and Choir by four
pioneering gospel choirs - The Back Home Choir, The Pentecostal Choir Of
Detroit, The Helen Robinson Youth Choir and The Voices Of Victory.
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Specialty 7069 |
Golden Age Gospel Quartets, Vol 1 :
1947-1954 |
● CD $15.98 |
26 tracks, 78 minutes, essential
With 25
never-before-issued cuts, mostly alternate takes, gospel fans will know
what to expect from these groups that recorded for Art Rupe's Specialty
Records. The Swan Silvertones' I'm Coming Home (take 1) contains
one of Claude A. Jeter's greatest falsetto leads - if not one of the
greatest in all of hard gospel quartet! The two Paramount Singers demos
(featuring Vance 'Tiny' Powell) alone are worth the price of admission.
Powell's lead on He Means So Much To Me hints (vocally) just a
little at his original 1964 classic Wax recording of My Time After
Awhile. If you have Specialty CD 7013 (The Soul Stirrers featuring R.
H. Harris - "Shine On Me") - this set has a new take of C. A.
Tindley's By And By where R.H. Harris ("the father of gospel
quartet") & the late Paul Foster out-duet each other. The CD also
includes (taken from rare 78 rpm pressings) the very first gospel group
recorded by Specialty - The Southern Harmonizers - singing in the popular
prewar 'jubilee' style of the Golden Gate Jubilee Quartet. The set ends
with nearly 12 minutes of live "house-wreaking" a cappella
singing by Rev. Presley Thomas' West Coast Jubilees. Their 7-minute
version of Prof. Alex Bradford's He'll Be There is not for the
faint at heart! (EL)
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Specialty 7070 |
Golden Age Gospel Quartets, Vol 2 :
1954-1963 |
● CD $15.98 |
27 tracks, 77 minutes, Essential
This CD should appeal to
all soul fans as the leads singers include Sam Cooke, James Phelps, Lou
Rawls and Johnnie Taylor. Fans of The Soul Stirrers will know that Sam
Cooke was their lead singer between 1951-1957, represented here by He'll
Make a Way ('54), and Were You There? ('57), I believe his last
song he recorded with the group. His replacement was Johnnie Taylor,
featured on the Sony Bono (!) produced Out On A Hill ('58). A
teenaged Louis Allen Rawls (aka Lou Rawls) is featured co-leading The
Chosen Gospel Singers on What A Wonderful Sight ('54) and The
Lifeboat Is Coming ('54), while Shreveport,LA.-born Sam
Cooke-sound-alike James Herbert Phelps - known for his R&B hit Love
Is A 5-Letter Word - leads The Clefs Of Calvary tracks. Other
highlights include the three 1955 Pilgrim Jubilee Singers demos featuring
the Graham Brothers - particularly strong on Tell Jesus (What You Want),
a rewrite of Jesus is On The Main Line - and a truly amazing lead
by Keith Barber (1919-1977) on After While (The Pilgrim
Travelers,'56). All tracks, except for Be With Me Jesus (Soul
Stirrers), are new to CD (nearly half are alternate takes). (EL)
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Collectables 6000 |
Good Lord I've Been Saved |
● CD $13.98 |
26 track collection. Some great music but no information on
origin of the recordings further confused by Collectables renaming a lot
of the songs - most of the sides seem to be from the mid 50s to late 60s
and from Vee-Jay and Hob - Shirley Caesar, 5 Blind Boys Of Alabama, Dixie
Hummingbirds, Highway QCs, Violinaires, Staple Singers, etc
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Fremeaux & Associates 026 |
Gospel : Vol 2, Gospel Quartets : 1921-1942 |
● CD $25.98 |
2 discs, 36 tracks, 104 minutes, highly recommended.
Terrific and invaluable collection of acapella gospel quartet singing
ranging from the tightly-harmonized jubilee singing of The Norfolk Jubilee
Singers to the intense melismatic lead and call & response vocals of a
seminal Dixie Hummingbirds. Much of the material here has not been
released on CD before and quite a bit has not been available for 60 years
or more. It's intriguing to hear early recordings of songs like Let My
People Go (by the Cotton Belt Quartet from 1926 and called Go Down
moses) and Will The Circle Be Unbroken (by The Silver Leaf
Quartet from 1930) and there's a wonderful version of Thomas Dorsey's Precious
Lord by Mitchell's Christian Singers from 1940. Other artists include
Bryant's Jubilee Singers, Dunham Jubilee Singers, The Famous Blue Jay
Singers, The Heavenly Gospel Singers, The Alphabetical Four, The
Charioteers and others including, of course, the most famous of the early
quartets The Golden Gate Quartet. Sound is decent, there are extensive
notes in French and abbreviated notes in English and full discographical
details. A must for the gospel lover. (FS)
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Vanguard 77014 |
Gospel At Newport |
● CD $15.98 |
19 tracks, 77 mins, recommended Excellent collection of
black gospel recorded at the Newport Folk Festival in 1959, 1964, '65
& '66. The material is varied including some of the best and most
popular quartets, vocalists with guitar, unaccompanied spirituals and the
totally idiosyncratic Joseph Spence whose version of Down By The
Riverside, here called Gonna Lay Down My Sword & Shield has
to beard to be believed. (FS)
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