Reviewed by Tony Cummings

The first of the Jefferson County, Alabama quartets to record, the Birmingham Jubilee Singers gained themselves a professional career, the two extensive recording sessions in 1926 represented here yielded six successful 78s and though the group had to mix in secular vaudeville material (like "Louisiana Bo-Bo" and "The Steam Boat") into their sets and recorded output they were also able to perform polished and professional versions of "They Crucified My Lord" and "Wade In The Water". By 1930 with the Depression kicking in the group succumbed to raw economics and disbanded. But the 24 recordings here with their mix of secular and sacred material are a fascinating glimpse of an early gospel act making a dent in the showbiz world.

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