Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

There is something wonderful about the mission of Document Records to bring so much obscure pre-war gospel music to 21st century public consumption. Here's a snapshot of Pentecostal church life more than 75 years ago. As you'd expect, the sound quality isn't great but the content is truly fascinating. This is gospel music in the raw style of the jug bands of the day and recorded in a three year period between 1928 and 1930. The CD kicks off with Elder Richard Bryant and on the first couple of tracks there's more preaching than singing but this soon changes. By the time we get to songs like "Come Over Here" and "Lord, Lord, He Sure Is Good To Me", there's something about the infectious joy of the recordings that puts a smile on my face. Alongside 13 tracks from Bryant, there are two from Rev Shy Moore and the Brother Williams Memphis Sanctified Singers and the CD closes with four from the Holy Ghost Sanctified Singers. One highlight is the version of "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands" by Brother Williams Sanctified Singers which features Bessie Johnson ripping it up. In all cases there is plenty of old fashioned preaching which frequently dissolves into singing as the preachers are accompanied by singers, guitarists and jug players. In a lot of ways the mix of preaching, sung backing and songs is a style that continues today in many gospel churches even if the jug has ceased to be a prominent instrument in gospel.

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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