I like to think 1960 was a vintage year. But never mind my birth, it was the year The Mighty Clouds Of Joy formed. 48 years later, they are still teaching the young people a thing or two about glorious gospel singing. Leader Joe Ligon once more sanctifies the gruff vocal style developed during the golden years of the gospel quartets. On five of the six tracks here, Joe and his chanting cohorts rip up the house, aided by the tightest of horn sections. On the one ballad, the beautiful falsetto-led "Order My Steps", it's almost as if the wonderful Paul Beasley was still with the Clouds. There is another live version of their classic "Mighty High" and with 40 minutes of blazing old school gospel for (at time of writing) a penny less than a fiver, purchase is a no-brainer.
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.
Interested in reviewing music? Find out
more here.