Reviewed by Tony May More timeless gems from the Specialty treasure store, to provide roughage for your musical diet. Sallie Martin was something of an innovator, her early 40s work as a performer, publisher, promoter and overall pusher of gospel music was instrumental in wresting it into the foreground of public awareness. These recordings are from the 50s, when the originally all-female lineup had widened to become a mixed group. Some tracks include the "Thunderbolt Of The Middle West" himself, Bro Joe May, already indicating the powerhouse performer he was to become. Cora Martin, Sallie's daughter, was one of the featured soloists, definitely on merit, her solo performance with simply voice and piano of "Every Once In A While" is most impressive, and comparatively gentle. On other tracks she soars and slides, utilising her controlled power superbly. As an ensemble I can't really number the Sallie Martin Singers amongst my top level favourites, for me they rarely catch fire as others do. They seem to float along rather than dish out the hard driving wallop we all love. Enjoyable, but it won't take you prisoner!
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