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– Proverb 103

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It was formerly suggested that the scans for Proverb 103 were showing a reissue. This has now been confirmed. Both the original and the reissue are now shown on the page for Proverb 103.

 

– Blind Boys Of Alabama ♫

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I’m currently sorting out my gospel 45’s and ran into this great 45 by the Blind Boys Of Alabama: “Working On The Building” b/w “Satisfied With Jesus” on Gospel 1061. “Working On The Building” (from 1959) was part of my first “Gospel Grooves” compilation, still available through the For sale page, but “Satisfied With Jesus” (from 1962) kind of escaped my attention. Well, that’s what happens… but here it is, for you to listen to, this primitive and raw rocking gospel track:

 

Both songs were also issued on Savoy LP 14044 (“Original Blind Boys Of Alabama”) and although the same recordings are used, it appears to me that the LP version has the vocals more in the foreground than the single version.

– Blair Gospel Singers ♫

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(the songs of Nashboro 555 can be listened to at the end of this post)

The Blair Gospel Singers only had a short career, at least on record. The group (from Evansville, Indiana) probably started in the mid-1940’s, but first recorded in 1952-53 for Ernie Young’s Nashboro label. Five discs were released: #520, 530, 532, 542 and 555; the latter being recorded in late 1954 probably, and released in 1955. After that, nothing was heard anymore from the Pullom family (probably brothers E.C. Pullom, L.B. Pullom, W.E. Pullom) and J.B. Blair. Joe Hinton, who’s name is given on Nashboro 530 and on a 1970’s reissue of Nashboro 555 (see the end of this post) was probably also a member of this group. He joined later, as he’s not pictured or mentioned in the advertisements below and may have been present on some or all Nashboro recordings. Joe Hinton, who probably was an Evansville, Indiana native, had an impressive career in gospel  and soul. He was a member of the Spirit Of Memphis (c. 1956-58) and probably also sang with the Chosen Gospel Singers. As a soul singer he had a couple of hit records on Back Beat (a Peacock subsidiary).

On the internet I found two advertisements for this group:


(source: Howard University – https://dh.howard.edu/bowman_images/53/)

Five gentlemen are shown is these pictures. Above, the the fifth gentleman is E.W. Williams, the manager of the group. I’m not sure he was pictured below as well, nor do I know if he sang with the group. He may have been the manager only (it’s what the text above suggests). His name is not mentioned in the Gospel Discography. The above picture must be from 1946 or slightly earlier. Their “theme song”, called “I Am On My Way” (see bottom right) was not recorded for Nashboro.

 


(source: Smithsonian – https://nmaahc.si.edu/object/nmaahc_2014.63.102.24)

The advertisement above shows three song titles (“Everybody Talking ‘Bout That Atomic Bomb”, “Jesus Gave Me Water” and “I’m Going To Tell God”), none of which were recorded for Nashboro. This one’s probably from the 1940’s as well. A Texas address is given at the bottom, for minister Aaron Kirksey, the group’s agent at the time.

 

 

 

 

On a 1970’s reissue of Nashboro 555, the label for “Waiting For The Lord” says “lead singer: the late Joe Hinton”:


(source: Discogs)

 

If there’s more information on the Blair Gosopel Singers, I’d love to hear about it!

– Bro. C.O. Badgett ♫

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Bro. C.O. Badgett (Cortelyou Badgett) had one originally released 45 and another track (“Nobody But You Lord”, c. 1954) appeared as a bonus track on the Badgett Sisters’ (cassette?) release, called “Just A Little While To Stay Here”. The Badgett Sisters where Brother Badgett’s daughters. So, Brother Badgett’s discography is very limited, though there could be more unknown recordings of course. You never know. That one 45 was released on Gospel Recording 233 in c. 1959-61 and featured the songs “What A Time” and “Stumbling Over My Life”. I never paid attention to this 45, but I did so recently and decided to offer the first title on the website for you to listen to. It’s a remarkable performance. As can be seen on the labels, Brother Badgett is described as “The Amazing One Man Quartett”, so it’s just him with his own vocals overdubbed. George Curry comes to mind, another one man quartet, who recorded gospel for Ebony, Elko, Phoenix and his own Currytone label. Badgett’s track is a bit monotonous, but has a certain charm nevertheless. Give it a listen below. For more information on the Badgett family, read this.

 

– 4 new CD-r’s by the Soul Stirrers

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In the last couple of days I’ve worked on the Checker albums I have by the Soul Stirrers. They are now digitized and available for purchase, either as physical albums (CD-r’s) or as downloads. The complete set of four CD-r’s is temporarily available for €30 (usually €50). A complete set of downloads is temporarily available for €20 (usually €30). These offers can not be combined with other discounts. For more order details, see CD-r’s, under For Sale.

Here’s what it’s all about:

  1. Resting Easy (Checker 10021, 1967)
  2. The Gospel Truth (Checker 10027, 1967)
  3. The Golden Gospel (Checker 10038, 1968) w. the Harold Smith Majestic Choir)
  4. Soul’s In… But Gospel’s Out Of Sight (Checker 10056, 1969)

The Soul Stirrers were most famous as the group of R.H. Harris, Johnny Taylor and others and especially as the group of Sam Cooke. The group’s Specialty recordings are among the best from the golden age of gospel. Sam Cooke left the Soul Stirrers in 1957 to pursue a secular solo career, and died in 1964, prior to the Checker years (1965-1975), but his influence can still be heard. From the original group only J.J. Farley remains. Other members include Willie Rogers, Arthur Crume and Martin Jacox.  Their sound heavily leaned against soul music of the late 1960’s, and the group appeared to be well aware of the need to do so, in order to maintain their success. However, I don’t know how successful they actually were in these years, probably less than what they hoped for, but still good enough to keep their recording contract with Checker. LP 10056 addressed the issue of gospel against soul music, aptly titled Soul’s In… But Gospel’s Out Of Sight. The back cover even states: as they [the Soul Stirrers] put the Soul in and sing Gospel out of sight. Due to the Harold Smith Majestic Choir and maybe because of the title, The Golden Gospel is the closest to gospel of these four albums, but all can be filed under gospel soul.