Reviewed by Tony Cummings

The three preachers heard on this CD were all initially recorded on Southern field trips by major American record companies in 1927 after the huge sales success of Rev J M Gates alerted the "race record" outfits to the market for gritty black preaching. Rev E D Campbell of Memphis is represented by 16 sides here. His delivery is, to say the least, passionate (the sleevenote describes it as "highly emotional, almost screaming, at times barely on the edge of coherence"). Most of the good reverend's sermons begin with a fragment of song though rarely do the songs bare any relation to the subjects of the sermons. "Take Me To The Water", "Come And See A Man" and "Touch The Hem Of His Garment" may lack theological coherence but they are certainly a cathartic roller coaster ride. The lone recorded sermons "The Liar" and "As The Eagle Stirreth Her Nest" by New Orleans-based Rev Isaiah Shelton are intriguing with "The Liar" being a chanted recitative version of the song usually known as "You Better Let That Liar Alone". Rev C F Thornton was a well known preacher from the Mississippi Delta region and though he only managed to record two sides the 78 sold nearly 12 and a half thousand copies showing that he had a way of connecting with his rural congregation.

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.

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