V/A - Gospel

Album: In the Storm So Long
Format: LP
Label/Info: Mississippi Records MR-066.
One of many gospel collections that hold up. This time it's selections from the Pitch/Gusman Label of Savannah from 1961-1978. Electrified ring shouts from from rural Georgia and the South Carolina lowcountry. Soul-stirring, toe-tapping, smile-producing.

Pastor T. L. Barrett and the Youth for Christ Choir

Album: Like A Ship... (Without A Sail)
Format: LP
Label/Info: Light in the Attic LITA 056 (2010) reissue. Originally released as M.Z.G.P. 8126. 1971 soul gospel under the direction of Barrett, community leader and pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Chicago, IL. I was truly blown away the first time I put this record on. The original pressing was limited to a few thousand copies and distributed at church socials and choir concerts. The sound and songwriting are outstanding for a home-grown recording, albeit one supervised by Chess/Cadet producer Gene Barge and backed by some of the best players in town. Not surprising that Donny Hathaway and members of Earth, Wind & Fire could be found in pews each Sunday drawn to Pastor Barrett's brand of sanctified jam.

The Spiritualaires of Hurtsboro, Alabama

Album: Singing Songs of Praise
Format: CD
Label/Info: CaseQuarter 103

Holy-roller soul from East Central Alabama. While the lineup has changed over six decades, The Spiritualaires of Hurtsboro remain one of the last working vocal groups originating during gospel's golden years of the late 1940s and 50s. Assembled from recent studio recordings and live radio broadcasts at WBIL in Tuskegee, the disc contains a good cross section of performances that borrow from the blues and soul as well as sacred influences. Check out other CaseQuarter releases for more of the real deal.

V/A

Album: Oh Graveyard, You Can't Hold Me Always
Format: LP
Label/Info: Mississippi Records MR-030/SM-01

Mono. Compilation of rare gospel recordings from the 1960s and early 1970s. Artists include Mosby Family Singers, Straight Street Holiness Group, Laura Rivers, Rev. Lonnie Farris, Radio Four, Joe Townsend, White Family, Silver Quintette, James Carter & The Mighty Stars, Farris & Williams, Brother Willie Eason, Traveling Echoes, and Sensational Happy Travelers.

Washington Phillips

Album: What Are They Doing in Heaven Today?
Format: LP
Label/Info: Mississippi Records MR-006

Album: The Key To The Kingdom
Format: CD
Label/Info: Yazoo 2073

Phillips was a pioneering gospel performer in the 1920s. Born in Texas in 1880, his entire musical catalogue consists of 18 or so unique performances. Recorded between 1927 and 1929, these tracks feature Phillips self-accompanied by an instrument that sounds like a fretless zither. This instrument, which has been variously identified as a Dolceola, a Celestophone, and a Phonoharp (and also is considered by some to be an instrument entirely home-made by Phillips) creates a unique sound that is immediately charming and intriguing. For Phillips' complete recordings consult the Yazoo CD.

Sam Cooke and the Soul Stirrers

Album: Peace in the Valley
Format: LP
Label/Info: Get Back 180 Gram Reissue (8063).

Sam Cooke joined the Soul Stirrers in 1951, replacing lead singer R. H. Harris after the Stirrers signed with Specialty records. Guided by the former teen wonder who would go on to be the superstar of early R&B, the Soul Stirrers are captured here at their best with 14 tunes of pure a cappella gospel feeling.

Mahalia Jackson

Album: The World's Greatest Gospel Singer
Format: LP
Label/Info: 1955 Columbia CL 644 ("6-eye" LP, her first for the label. Inexpensive copies can be found at GEMM.)

Ms. Jackson says in the liner notes that she doesn't do blues records. Somebody should have told the session's guitarist.