Aretha Franklin picks Karen Clark-Sheard to play the role of Kitty Parham of the Clara Ward Singers in "Aretha: From These Roots"

Jawn Murray over at BV Buzz at AOL BlackVoices reports that Aretha Franklin has picked Karen Clark-Shead of The Clark Sisters fame to play golden era artist, Catherine "Kitty" Parham in "Aretha: From These Roots". Parham (pictured above) was a member of The Clara Ward singers from the early 1950s until she left the group along with Esther Ford, Frances Steadman, Henrietta Waddy and Marion Williams to form the Stars of Faith during the Summer of 1958. Kitty Parham died in Philadelphia, PA on June 27, 2003 at the age of 77.

To view the article on Black Voices, Click HERE

To see Kitty Parham in action with Marion Williams and the Stars of Faith, click HERE

R.I.P. Geraldine Gay Hambric

Dear readers, I am writing this post from Chicago, the birthplace of the traditional gospel sound, and the national headquarters for Golden Era Gospel, where artists such as Thomas A. Dorsey, James Cleveland, Robert Anderson, Albertina Walker and Roberta Martin developed and refined their style. I arrived on April 7th and I saw a few landmarks today and I'll cover that in a later post as I visit some more landmarks tomorrow. While it was great as a historian to see those few landmarks such as Mt. Pisgah, where Roberta Martin once served as Minister of Music, I just found out that one of the last human landmarks of vintage Chicago gospel passed away. Geraldine Gay Hambric, the last surviving member of The Gay Sisters died Tuesday, April 6, 2010. Bob Marovich has written an excellent writeup on Mrs. Hambric, and you can read it HERE.

A Golden Era Easter Playlist

By: Joseph Middleton

Easter is almost upon us. Come Resurrection Sunday, choir stands across the world will be filled with choirs and praise teams singing familiar songs such as “He Decided to Die (He Would Not Come Down From the Cross)” and and “For God So Loved the World”. For those who want to hear something from the Golden Era for Easter, here are a few songs that should satisfy the ears and the spirit.

1. "Christ The Redeemer" (1966) Rev. James Cleveland and the Walter Arties Chorale

Right at the end of the Golden Era, Rev. James Cleveland recorded this song with the Walter Arties Chorale. The arrangement is jazzy with cues taken from “Cristo Redentor”, and is less bluesy than other popular gospel recordings from the same time. The modern arrangement takes no luster away from this gem. The choir provides haunting, modulating ooohs throughout the song as James mournfully tells the story. This song has almost meditative qualities to it, and is an interesting departure from the usual Resurrection Sunday repertoire.

(Available from Savoy/Malaco on the “James Cleveland Sings with the World’s Greatest Choirs, 20th Anniversary” CD)


2. "The Crucifixion" (1954) The Caravans

During their second recording session with the States label, The Caravans sang of the Crucifixion. On lead, we have the group leader, Albertina Walker as solemnly, yet with the fervor of a minister with her trademark runs, tells the familiar story. On the piano, we have a young James Cleveland, in the background we have Cassietta George, Iris Humble, Gloria Griffin, and Johneron Davis with their sweet, heavenly background vocals.

(Not available on CD. Check eBay for availability of this recording.)


3. "The Crucifixion" (1957) The Roberta Martin Singers

With an intro featuring a throbbing organ being played by Little Lucy Smith Collier, the late, great Eugene Smith sings/narrates the Crucifixion in this recording taken from the Martin Singers’ first recording session with Savoy. In the background, Roberta Martin, Gloria Griffin, Delois Barrett Campbell, Little Lucy Smith Collier, Norsalus McKissick and Romance Watson support Smith’s lead with a cushioning cloud of hums, ooohs, and the occasional few words. Roberta glides over the piano keys and glides through the background with her unmistakable contralto accenting the ends of the vocalizations. Listen as the drummer provides sound effects for the nails being driven and for the sting of death in this quality recording done as only “Bert’s” group would have it done.

(No longer available on CD from Savoy/Malaco. Check eBay for the occasional copy. Album titled on CD as “Twelve Inspirational Songs” and on LP as “Spirituals”.)

4. "The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power" (1962) The Caravans

On this go-round, the girls (Albertina Walker, Shirley Caesar, Delores Washington, Cassietta George and Johneron Davis) sing this now familiar Andrae Crouch tune. Albertina provides the lead vocals as James Herndon’s skilled hands tear up the ivories and an uncredited organist provides twirling and booming accompaniment. Toward the end of the song, Cassietta chimes in to complement Albertina, putting the icing on the cake.

(Available from Savoy/Malaco on the “Best of the Caravans” CD.)

5. "No Greater Love" (1960) Rev. James Cleveland and the Voices of Tabernacle

Not to be confused with Keith Pringle’s 1988 hit of the same name, James Cleveland and Louise McCord lead the Voices of Tabernacle in this song taken from the early days of James Cleveland’s solo career. The song is rather simple and easy to remember. For those who are looking for a simple song for their choir or praise team to sing on Resurrection Sunday, this is a good candidate.

(Available on various vintage gospel compilation CDs. Check iTunes and other online music outlets.)


6. "He's Alive Today" (1965) The Caravans

We’re taking yet another jaunt with The Caravans, this time it’s a little different. Albertina has stepped aside and let one of the other group members lead and take the limelight. Even though the lineup is almost the same as the 1962 lineup for “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power”, Johneron Davis has been replaced by the late Josephine Howard (mother of r&b songstress Miki Howard). Josephine takes a commanding, authoritative lead and lets the listener know that He is indeed alive! Josephine’s squalls will surely take you in. You may end up putting this one on repeat.

(Not available on CD. Check eBay for the VeeJay LP containing this song titled “Let’s Break Bread Together”.)


7. "Calvary" (1967) Mahalia Jackson

No Golden Era playlist is complete without an entry from Mahalia Jackson. Recorded live in concert at the New York City Philharmonic Hall on March 26, 1967, Mahalia’s pianist Eddie Robinson and organist Charles Clency’s sparse musical accompaniment set a sobering scene that silences the performance hall as Mahalia sings. Compared to James Cleveland’s “Christ the Redeemer” from the previous year, this song sounds more traditional, and sounds typical of most of Mahalia’s later work.

(Available on Disc 1 of the Mahalia Jackson CD compilation tited “Gospels, Spirituals, and Hymns”.)

Shout Sister Shout! Listen to The Sister Rosetta Tharpe Story on BBC Radio 2 (limited time only!)

By: Joseph Middleton


March 20, 2010 marked what would have been Sister Rosetta Tharpe's 95th birthday. In honor of this occasion, our friends on the other side of the pond at BBC Radio 2 have reposted a 60 minute radio broadcast that originally aired last March. To listen to the broadcast, hosted by Ruby Turner, you can click the link below. Please listen ASAP, as it will be taken down on March 30, 2010.
BBC Radio 2: Shout Sister Shout with Ruby Turner

If you've stumbled upon this post after March 30 or if you want to find out more about Sister Rosetta Tharpe, I highly recommend that you read "Shout, Sister, Shout!: The Untold Story of Rock-and-Roll Trailblazer Sister Rosetta Tharpe" by Gayle F. Ward. Check Amazon.com, your local bookstore or even your local library for a copy.

Happy Birthday to Delois Barrett Campbell!

The Golden Era Gospel Blog wants to wish Delois Barrett Campbell (of the Roberta Martin Singers and The Barrett Sisters) a mighty happy and mighty blessed 84th birthday!

Major Roberson (Pilgrim Jubilees) 1925-2010

Sad news to report here. Major Roberson of the Pilgrim Jubilees has died. Here's the info from Malaco Records.

From Malaco Records:

Major Roberson was born to this world on June 11, 1925 in Gunnison, MS and went home to be with the Lord Monday, March 1, 2010, 11:00 PM at his home in Chicago, IL.

Major Roberson was not only a singer, but an accomplished songwriter, having written several songs for the famed group. His most notable songs were "The Old Ship Of Zion," "The Doors Of The Church Are Open," "Church Song," "Don't Let Me Drift Away," "Exit 100," "He Brought Joy To My Soul," "Me My God And I," & "Testify For Jesus."

Major Roberson is survived by his wife Hattie Roberson, several children, a
host of grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Arrangements have been scheduled as follows:

Friday, March 12, 2010 7:00 P.M.
"A Musical Tribute"
Gatling Chapel Annex
10133 S. Halsted St.
Chicago, Il 60628
773-881-4111

Saturday, March 13, 2010
Homegoing Celebration
Visitation: 10-11 AM
Funeral: 11-12 Noon

Greater White Stone MBC
3819 W. Ogden Ave.
Chicago, Il.60623
773-762-4113

For more information, to send flowers or cards of condolences, please
contact:

Gatling's Chapel
10133 S. Halsted St.
Chicago, Il. 60628
773-881-4111 Phone
773-881-3925 Fax

Or

Val Grant 708-841-3319

For more information on the history of The Pilgrim Jubilees, please feel
free to visit www.malaco.com.

Black Gospel Music Restoration Project Spotlighted on iTunes U

Good news out of Texas regarding the preservation of Golden Era Gospel!

From a Press Release:

Baylor's Black Gospel Music Restoration Project Is in the Spotlight on iTunes U

Baylor University's Black Gospel Music Restoration Project, the most popular download on Baylor's iTunes U site, will be added to Apple's top featured graphics this week -- timing that coincides with Black History Month.

The continuing restoration project -- to identify, acquire, digitally record and catalog the most at-risk music from the black gospel music tradition from the 1940s to the 1980s -- is led by Robert Darden, associate professor of journalism at Baylor University.

Sixteen songs from the project are available on iTunes U, among them such black gospel treasures as "Ain't That Right," "Great Get'n Up Morning," "Old Ship of Zion" and "This Train is Bound for Glory."

Darden's search has turned up 78s, 45s, LPs and music in various taped formats used in the United States and abroad. Those involved in the project also are compiling taped interviews, informal photos, music programs, newspaper clippings and sheet music.

The project is accessible through a graphic link at the top of the front page of Apple's iTunes U service, said Colin Witt, director of electronic communications for Baylor University. The link will be featured for two weeks.

"Baylor is happy to be a part of iTunes U and to work with Apple on exciting projects such as this one," Witt said. "The opportunity to feature unique research work taking place at Baylor is exactly the reason we wanted to be a part of the iTunes U community."

The project grew out of a 2005 editorial by Darden, published in The New York Times, in which he shared his concern that while contemporary gospel was thriving, early gospel might be lost forever.

While albums by such legends as Mahalia Jackson are readily available on CD, music recorded by lesser known greats such as the Sensational Nightingales and the Spirit of Memphis were hard to find, he noted.

"For an unabashed fan like me, it's a painful situation," he wrote. "I realize that no corporation is going to put out albums just to please a few aficionados, but they may not realize that many people want to hear this music."

He was approached by several people interested in preserving music from "the Golden Age of Gospel Music." Among the financial contributors were Charles M. Royce, chairman of the board of TICC Capital Corp. in Greenwich, Conn., and Harold and Dottie Riley of Austin.

One of the major contributors of records was Bob Marovich, a Chicago collector and founder of The Black Gospel Blog.

"It is from his collection of gospel 45s that the majority of the iTunes U songs were drawn," Darden said.

Besides Darden and Witt, others at Baylor University contributing their talents to the ongoing project are Dr. Gardner Campbell, director of the Academy for Teaching and Learning at Baylor, who has done interviews with Darden and Marovich for the site; and Tim Logan, assistant vice president for Baylor's Electronic Library, who has helped identify and prepare tracks to use.

"It has been a real pleasure working with such talented, hard-working folks," Darden said.

The project's site also includes an interview Campbell did with Darden called "A Gospel Journey" and a joint interview with Darden and Marovich, presented in several segments.

In addition to the 16 tunes posted on the iTunes U site, about 180 partial tracks are provided, Witt said. Logan said Baylor has obtained about 1,500 records for preservation.

Baylor launched its iTunes U site in September 2009. It offers free downloads of more than 400 audio and video files. Among site highlights are episodes of Inside Baylor Sports, podcasts such as KWBU's Wordwise, lectures and speeches.

For more information about Baylor's Black Gospel Music Restoration Project, visit www.Baylor.edu/lib/gospel or see the links on the right side of the page.

For the project's iTunes U site, visit www.baylor.edu/itunes.