Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Four more singing preachers from yesteryear given the re-issue treatment by our Document friends. The five recordings by Rev T E Weems contain a version of "If I Had My Way I'd Tear This Building Down", a song popular with street evangelists like Blind Willie Johnson and Blind Gary Davis while the eight tracks by Rev W A White range from very restrained first recordings to his later sides made in 1927 where he is chanting his sermons with pleasing hoarseness interspersed with religious song in a style similar to the great Rev J M Gates. There is more singing than preaching on the five tracks by Deacon A Wilson and "Certainly Lord" (for which there are two different takes here) is pretty highly charged. Finally, the six recordings by Rev B L Wrightman have long intrigued blues collectors due to the presence of Lottie Beaman and Winston Holmes. Wrightman's sermons are quite volatile as he leads his congregation of "Take A Stand" (here titled "Live The Life") and "I Know His Blood Can Make Me Whole" (at the beginning and closing of the two-part "The Soul's Physician"). The latter sermon is discussed in Paul Oliver's seminal Songsters & Saints book. More intriguing history though yet again, one or two of the tracks come from very battered 78s.

This track data is supplied by the Cross Rhythms CD/DVD review library. Please note that CD tracks may vary according to release region or product version. You should not assume that products purchased through Cross Rhythms Direct will necessarily have identical track listings to those shown.