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Yesterday and today I worked on the Hy-Tone discography and added all (good) scans that I have available. Interesting label with lots of questions to be answered.

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I’ve added scans and details for Checker LP 10040 by the Violinaires. Another one with artwork by Judith Friedman (like LP 10039 by the Willing Four, added earlier today) and not a big success either. Don Bronstein, responsible for the artwork of many legendary Chess and Checker albums, became less involved, so it seems, and that’s a shame. Apart from that, this is a pretty good and well-produced (Ralph Bass) album by the Violinaires, reflecting pop and soul influences and the love & peace attitude of the day (“Spreading Brotherhood”).

Click on the image below to see all scans and details.

Today I’ve added scans and details for Checker LP 10039 by the Willing Four. This group appears not to be connected to the one that recorded for the Regis/Manor labels in 1944 (Regis 115, Manor 1069). The Checker recordings were their first recordings apart from an acetate (Jesus Is With Me b/w You Don’t Know How Blessed You Are) that was made a few years earlier (the acetate likely features the same group, but that needs to be confirmed).

At the time, the group consisted of Isaiah Beene, Willie Ervin, George Hudson, Rev. James McClain, Henry Sutton, Bonnie Epps, James Adair, Dale Sutton and Sylvester Beene (from the back cover).

As for the cover art (Judith Friedman), this must be one of the worst looking albums in the Checker gospel catalogue. The album itself is worth checking though.

The Willing Four continued to record for Jewel and one 45 appeared on the HSE label.

Click on the image below to see all scans and details entered.

Today I’ve added scans to several discography, mostly to the Gospel discography and most of them were sent to me by Per Notini, who made many contributions to this website.

Here’s what has been added today:

– Hollywood 1048, 1049, 1050, 1069;

– Duke 201 (scans replaced);

– Recorded In Hollywood 196;

– Gospel 1033, 1034, 1064, 1083, 1106, 1110, 1115, 5800, 5801, 5803, 5805, 5806, 5807, 5813, 5816.

I’ve added scans and details for Proverb LP XX01, a rare compilation album from the late 1960’s (c. 1966-67). Although it’s ‘Volume 1’ according to the cover, no second volume is known to exist. The album features well known names, such as the Pilgrim Travelers and the Mighty Clouds of Joy, and lots of more obscure ones. The Southern Gales is a total obscurity; this album features their only known performance. Click on the first image below to see all details of this LP.

I also added scans to various discographies; these scans were kindly sent to me by Per Notini (Finch 06115, Ha-Lo 07, Gotham 682, Gotham 709 and Gotham 766).

This was the sixth album by the Violinaires on the Checker label (and also their sixth in general). The group then included Isaiah Jones, Robert Wilson, Robert Blair, James McCurdy and James Byers. Interesting release by one of the legendary gospel groups. I’ve added images and details today; click on the image below to see it all.

This morning I added scans and details for Checker LP 10038 by the Soul Stirrers. On this album, recorded in December 1967, the Souls Stirrers were accompanied by the Harold Smith Majestic Choir. The album features “Why Am I Treated So Bad”, written by Roebuck Staples, which probably is the highlight of the album. The Staple Singers recorded it for Epic in 1966 as “Why? (Am I Treated So Bad)”.

The Soul Stirrers recorded intensively for Checker from 1965 to 1970/71, this being their fourth album for the label.

Click on the image below to go to the album page.

Added today: scans and details for Checker LP 10052 by the Salem Travelers. Another legendary group which recorded for the Checker label. The Salem Travelers started recording for the Ha-Lo/Halo labels in 1963 and moved to Checker in 1967-1968 where they stayed until c. 1972. This was their second LP, from 1968.

I also started to add scans to the Hollywood discography.

Added today are details and images of Checker LP 10056 by the Soul Stirrers. The album was recorded in March 1969 and in the group then were Rufus Crume, Arthur Crume, Jesse Farley, Willie Rogers and Martin Jacox. A good album, not too exciting but it sure has its moments. “Blowin’ In The Wind” is an unnecessary addition, as far as I’m concerned. Click on the image below to go to the album page.

I also added images and details on the reissue version of Proverb LP 501 by the Los Angeles Angels. I added the original version a couple of days ago.

Gene Viale was a latin soul singer, and included in the discography for reasons of completeness. He was associated with James Cleveland and sang with the James Cleveland Singers. The Checker album featured the first recordings of his own and a couple more albums followed in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. Gene Viale died in 2011. Read more about this artist on the Golden Era Gospel Blog. Click on the image below for album details and images.