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Aaron and I have corresponded through the years – we’re mutual fans of one another’s musical interests – and he was in Los Angeles in late August to screen the (hopefully) forthcoming documentary on Aretha Franklin’s Amazing Grace, her best-selling 1972 gospel album. It’s a topic very close to Aaron’s heart, especially as the author of the new 33.3 book, Amazing Grace, which examines the album through exhaustive historical research and interviews.
Aaron and I chatted in my kitchen about the album, his book and the documentary (plus a bonus podcast of a few of his [...]
Continue reading THE SIDEBAR 19: AARON COHEN, AUTHOR OF “AMAZING GRACE”
Alec Palao is a music historian and reissue producer and quite possibly, the world’s leading expert on the Music City catalog.
The label was one of the most storied in Bay Area music history though you’d be forgiven if you’ve never heard of it given that it was always more of a local, independent operation than anything approaching the size/scope of Fantasy or similar Bay Area imprints. Nonetheless, for three decades, Music City was one of the outlets for Black music in the Bay, through many different evolutions of style. Until recently, [...]
Continue reading THE SIDEBAR #16: ALEC PALAO, TALKING ABOUT MUSIC CITY
The Florida Spiritualaires: I Remember When
From 7″ (Ernie’s Record Parade, 1976)
First time I heard this 7″, the first thought that came to mind was, “wow, it sounds like the Spiritualaires are recording a low rider jam.” The way the song opens is pure “Suavecito”-era soul which may not have been as surprising if this had been, say, The Whittier Spiritualaires but it’s not a sound I instantly associate with Floridians.
Of course, what I should have realized was that “I Remember When” belongs to that particular category of “gospel [...]
Continue reading HOLY GHOST POSTS: FLORIDA SPIRITUALAIRES COVER THE INTRUDERS
The Souls of Unity: Reach Out and Touch
From It’s Getting Late In the Evening (Major, 197?)
Little did I realize that Noz – apart from his love for obscure rap – also scours the Maryland countryside for gospel LPs. A few months back, I discovered this album through him and in particular, heard this song and was instantly obsessed. Partially, it’s those muted horns and the deep bass lines – putting the soul in gospel soul – but it’s also teenager Angela Brown’s lead vocals, with her wavering tone and those [...]
Continue reading HOLY GHOST POSTS: SOULS OF UNITY
 
The Canton Spirituals: Stand By Me
From Mississippi Po Boy (J&B, 1985)
The Fantastic Family Aries: I’ve Been Born Again
The Color of God
From I’m So Glad (Gospel Roots/TK, 1976)
I had another set of songs ready to go to close out the week of posts but I began the week in Urbana/Campaign and while out there, managed to hit up a pair of stores, including one that had two boxes of sealed gospel LPs, including the Canton Spirituals LP which – by lucky [...]
Continue reading HOLY GHOST POSTS, EASTER SPECIAL: 5 OF 5
Willie Banks and the Messengers: If It Had Not Been For Jesus
On My Way
From God’s Goodness (HSE, 197?)
There’s an old adage that the way you find a good funk LP is to look for an Afro on the cover. For gospel, I wonder if the equivalent is looking for stock photography and plain typology. For small press releases, there just wasn’t a big budget for marketing; you may have noticed this Banks LP uses the same stock photo as the Soulful Sons of Zion release I wrote [...]
Continue reading HOLY GHOST POSTS, EASTER SPECIAL: 4 OF 5
 
Eugene Williams and Sister Lee Ida Brown and the Houston Interdenominational Choir: Help Your Brother
Peace
From Seek Ye First the Kingdom (ABC Songbird, 1974)
Gladys McFadden & The Loving Sisters: Never Gonna Turn Around
From Running Short Of Love, Today (ABC Peacock, 1977)
Freda Bush: City Called Heaven
From Songs of Faith and Inspiration (Aclassye, 1976)
One running joke re: gospel albums is how long “artist” names are. Of course, that’s partially because it’s not just the singers or bands being repped, [...]
Continue reading HOLY GHOST POSTS, EASTER SPECIAL: 3 OF 5
The Faithful Wonders: Ol’ John (Behold Thy Mother)
Lucy Rodgers: I Found a Friend
Irish Britton: Lord I Wonder
All from The Sunday Gospel Open House (Checker, 1967)
In terms of bang for the buck, it’s hard to go wrong with this late ’60s release off of Checker which compiles a slew of gospel recordings from artists on the label. There’s at least four songs off of here that are outstanding and seriously, kudos to whoever that Checker mixed and mastered this; it has excellent production aesthetics for its [...]
Continue reading HOLY GHOST POSTS, EASTER SPECIAL: 2 OF 5
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