Various - Gospel Singers & Preachers: Complete Recorded Works & Supplements 1926-1948

Various - Gospel Singers & Preachers: Complete Recorded Works & Supplements 1926-1948
Various - Gospel Singers & Preachers: Complete Recorded Works & Supplements 1926-1948

STYLE: Gospel
RATING 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 21323-12088
LABEL: Document DOCD5585
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 1
RRP: £9.99

Reviewed by Tony Cummings

A wide variety of material rescued from the obscurest of 78s here. The two tracks by Rev Sutton E Griggs are alternative takes from a 78 re-issued on another Document album and aren't particularly interesting. The Paramount Ladies Four are also a bit dull even though the sleevenote praises their "lovely trained voices". Much better is the Dunham Jubilee Singers' rendition of "Calvary" which is tight, smooth but fervid with an intriguing near-yodelling sound at the end of each vocal refrain. Probably the best sides on this compilation are the eight by Rev T T Rose with a rollicking piano player giving the reverend plenty of drive as he shouts his way through tracks like "Goodbye, I've Left The World Behind" and "Roll The Old Chariot Along". Particularly entertaining is the Rev Rose's "Present Your Body" with the reverend gasping and gulping between words while detailing the evils of tobacco and moonshine. Also well worth a listen is Sister Sallie Sanders who is described in the sleevenote as "a flat-out, no-holds-barred, rough-voiced shouter, part Ma Rainey in her country roughness, part Bessie Smith in her power, and all God's in her heart." Of the post-war recordings there is a rare recording of "Jesus I Love You" by the world famous Dixie Hummingbirds, six tracks cut in 1948 by Elder Benjamin H Broadie who engages in some remarkable sandpaper-lunged screaming and two rather anti-climactic sides from Elder Bond. No real stylistic coherence to any of this stuff but the best sides remain fascinating.

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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