Chess gospel discography (1950-70)

 

Chess Gospel

  • Chess Records started in 1950 and was based in Chicago, IL. It was preceded by the Aristocrat label. Chess was run by brothers Phil and Leonard Chess who released many records in the fields of blues, R&B, soul, rock and roll, jazz, comedy and gospel. Subsidiary labels included Checker (on which most gospel was released), Argo and Cadet.
  • Chess 1437 (Rev. Gatemouth Moore) may have been released earlier on Aristocrat 904.
  • Chess 1475 (Four-A-Melody Men) was earlier released on Aristocrat 902 as by the Seven Melody Men.
  • This page lists all known Chess gospel issues (singles and LP’s), released between 1950 and 1970. Later issues (8000/9000 series and more) have been omitted, and so are all sermons by (mainly) Rev. C.L. Franklin on LP and in the 78rpm format (78rpm albums).

 

 

 

78 & 45rpm releases:

releaseartistartist as shownsongsyear
Chess 1437Moore, Rev. GatemouthI’m Going Through b/w Thank You Jesus1950
Chess 1473Evangelist Gospel Singers of AlabamaLeaning On The Lord b/w Lord Stop The War1951
Chess 1475Four-A-Melody MenI’m On My Way b/w Mother Pray For Me1951
Chess 1485Spiritual StarsGood Religion b/w I’ll Search Heaven1951
Chess 1486Evangelist Gospel Singers of AlabamaNever Grow Old b/w Walk In The Light1951
Chess 1502BrewsterairesWhere Shall I Be b/w (The Lord Gave Me) Wings For My Soul1952
Chess 1511Chambers, Rev.It’s Praying Time b/w Me And The Devil1952
Chess 1520Southern StarsSurely God Is Able b/w Don’t Give Up1952
Checker 1539Beck, ElderWine Head Willie Put That Bottle Down b/w I’m Gonna Tell God1953
Chess 1540Southern StarsProdigal Son b/w I Saw The Light1953
Chess 1556Southern StarsTired Of The Devil b/w I Remember I Heard My Mother1953
Chess 1567Beck, ElderWhen b/w I’m Walking With Jesus At My Side1954
Chess 1568Southern StarsSouthern Stars of RichmondWeep Little Children b/w Jesus Will Be Waiting1954
Chess 1590Ballenger, Rev.This Train b/w How I Got Over1955
Chess 1600Franklin, Rev. C.L.Rev. C.L. Franklin and CongregationI Love The Lord b/w Heard The Voice Of Jesus1955
Chess 1603Dixieland SingersWhere We Never Grow Old b/w Our Prayer1955
Chess 1631Franklin, Rev. C.L.The Old Ship Of Zion, Pt. 1 b/w The Old Ship Of Zion, Pt. 21956
Chess 1639Franklin, Rev. C.L.The Lord Will Make A Way Somehow, Pt. 1 b/w The Lord Will Make A Way Somehow, Pt. 21956
Chess 1640Jelks, Rev. H.R.It Rained Forty Days And Forty Nights, Pt. 1 b/w It Rained Forty Days And Forty Nights, Pt. 21956
Chess 1642Ellis and Dixon Spiritual and Vocal GroupPrecious Memories, Pt. 1 b/w Precious Memories, Pt. 21956
Chess 1655Franklin, Rev. C.L.I’m Going Through, Pt. 1 b/w I’m Going Through, Pt. 2 (sermon)1957
Chess 1656Gospel WondersI Want To Live, Live, Live b/w He’s My All And All1957
Chess 1657Pilgrim HarmonairesAnyway You Bless Me Lord b/w He Said He Would Move1957
Chess 2051Operation Breadbasket Orchestra and ChoirBen Branch and Operation Breadbasket Orch. and ChoirMotherless Child b/w Precious Lord, Take My Hand1968

 

LP releases:

releaseartistartist as showntitleyear
Chess LP 1524Operation Breadbasket Orchestra and ChoirBen Branch and the Operation Breadbasket Orchestra and ChoirThe Last Request1968
Chess LP 1549Operation Breadbasket Orchestra and ChoirSCLC Operation Breadbasket Orchestra and ChoirOn The Case1970