Monday 20 July 2009

Carolina Gospel Quartets (1938 - 1939)


Now, this is a beautiful compilation of three pre-war Gospel quartets from Carolina. I actually stumbled across this CD by accident whilst trying to unearth more information about another pre-war Gospel group named "The Delta Big Four". Needless to say, this collection of wonderful songs brings just as much nostalgic bluesy vocal noodling as anything of this ilk that you are likely to hear.

In a time before commercial radio, agencies and pop music, these groups were amongst blues musicians, big bands, jazz musicians, bluegrass banjo players and country singers all on the streets just trying to make some money to get by. Some were lucky enough to get picked up for recording sessions. These groups were some of the lucky few. If the crackling of the shellac and the shaky, almost eerie melodic harmonies don't make your hairs stand on end, then nothing is likely to.

Here is a song from each group. I hope you enjoy them as much as i do:

Spartanburg Famous Four - "I Know My Time Ain't Long"
Shelby Gospel Four - "New Burying Ground"
Gospel Light Jubilee Singers - "I Can Tell The World About This"

Buy the CD

Recommended if you like: The Golden Gate Quartet, The Beach Boys, The Four Freshmen.

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