Reviewed by Peter Dilley

Many of the tracks on this compilation are more scratchy than a steel wool scarf, so the appeal of this early gospel material, recorded in New York and New Jersey in 1923, lies much more in historical interest than in its audio quality. A 22-song CD compiled from rare 78s, it can be quite a struggle to make out music and lyrics through a barrage of bumps and crackles - I do wonder whether a clearer sound could be achieved with current clean-up software. With persistence though, exploring the songs and the traditional gospel techniques employed can be illuminating: a prime example is "Shine On Me", described as being sung "so much by the Negro soldiers, both in this country and in France during the war" (WW1), with an explanation of how the song will be lined off "in the old-fashioned ways". The leader's part preceding each half-stanza has a completely different melody to that sung by the group (the familiar tune for "Amazing Grace"). The styles of the mixed sextet and the all-male quartet can also be contrasted, with alternative versions of "Hush! Somebody's Calling My Name", "Ain't It A Shame To Work On A Sunday" and the humourously-ecumenical "Hard Trials". Some songs and lyrics are still doing the rounds: the Proclaimers included "Lord, I Want To Be A Christian" on their 'Hit The Highway' album, the chorus of "You Must Come In At The Door" is "So high, you can't get over it...", whilst the refrain of "Do You Think I'll Make A Soldier?" is the well-known "Rise, shine, give God the glory..." As they sing on "Sign Of Judgement": "Give me that old time religion."

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