Just Moving On Blog

Christland Singers - Down By The Riverside

Christland Singers - Down By The Riverside


(scan courtesy of recordconnexion )

When Rebert H. Harris 'retired' from the Soul Stirrers in 1950 he joined the Christland Singers, a quartet where he was reunited with former Soul Stirrers Heywood James Medlock and Thomas L. Bruster. The Christland Singers of Chicago Illinois made their recording debut on Peacock in 1951. They released 8 sides on Peacock before moving to Nashboro in 1955. Again after a 5 year period and 8 released sides the Christland Singers went to another label. It could be that the Christland Singers were dropped by Nashboro, because Rebert H. Harris left the group at the end of the fifties and became a member of the Gospel Paraders. Without Harris the group tried their luck at the Chicago based Checker label. For Checker they recorded the album "He's Mine" (Checker LP100004) in 1961. Today's version of "Down By The Riverside" comes from this album and has Leroy Taylor on lead.
The "He's Mine" album was their only one for Checker. It was not untill 1975 before the had another release, a 45 on the local C.L.B. label. The group recorded sporadic in the years after, but remained active performing. In 2009 they performed at the Chicago Blues Fest:

Posted by Cies at 7 Sep 2010 | View Comments (1) | Add Comment

Faithful Few - Down By The Riverside

Faithful Few - Down By The Riverside


In May 2007 we had a (short) series with versions of 'Down By The Riverside' by the Sweet Inspirations, Bobby Powell, and Messiahs of Glory. After listening to the Faithful Few's version I decided to have another (short) series with versions of this traditional gospel song. The history of 'Down By The Riverside' or its slightly lyrically different twin 'Ain't Gonna Study War No More' goes back to the late 19th century.
The Faithful Few of Phoenix City, Alabama who recorded one 45 on Abbey could be the same group as the one who recorded a 45 on Gospel Gold. It's safe to assume that WM. Phillips who is singing lead on 'Down By The Riverside' is a member of the Faithful Few. One other member of the group is Rev. J.W. Gill who is singing lead on the b-side of their Abbey 45.
We don't know much about the Abbey label either, then that it is from Nashville, TN. There were a few more gospel releases, all in the early seventies, on Abbey. Other groups with a release on Abbey are: The Heavenly Jewels Gospel Singers of Phoenix City, Ala and The Sensational Chimes of Canaan. The Abbey label operating from New York in the fifties is an entirely different company. 

Posted by Cies at 6 Sep 2010 | Add Comment

Victory Travelers - When I Get Inside

Victory Travelers - When I Get Inside


           (photo courtesy of recordconnexion)

The Victory Travelers of Chicago, Illinois were organized by Rubin Burton in 1957 according to the notes on the cover of their selftitled debut album on Jade. The linernotes of the Good God! Born Again Funk CD have 1960 as the start of the group. Another difference between the two set of notes is the number (2 or 3) of original members that were still a member of the group when they recorded their album for Jade.
There is a discography of the Victory Travelers at recordconnexion that covers their career up to 1975. In 1983 they released the album "He's A God" (Rapture LP 10821). This album was reissued on CD in 2007. As far as I know they've released one or two more albums in the past two decades. The group is still active performing in and around Chicago and had an astonishing performance at the Cognac Blues Festival in France a few weeks ago.
The Jade label on which the Victory Travelers released their debut album was owned by Gene Cash. Other labels owned by Cash besides Jade were Courtn', C.R.A, Whirl Hill and Cash. The two 45s lifted from the Victory Travelers' Jade album got released on Whirl Wind and Courtn'. "When I Get Inside" is taken from their album "The Victory Travelers" (Jade LP100). You can find a full scan of the albumcover somewhere half way this page.

Posted by Cies at 4 Sep 2010 | Add Comment

Quartet Treasures # 33: Michigan

Quartet Treasures # 33: Michigan

Later on today a new episode of Quartet Treasures will go 'on air' at The Quartet Spot . The theme for this episode is Michigan. Michigan, especially the city of Detroit, is rich in gospel talent. With The Violinaires, Meditation Singers and Bill Moss & the Celestials among the leading gospel groups in the USA. But there was a lot more going on in Michigan than those three top groups. In Ecrose, MI Felton Williams ran his Revival label. In 2009 The Numero Group released the CD/DVD set Downriver Revival with some excellent gospel songs from the Revival archives. Revival wasn't the only label giving local and regional talent an opportunity to release records. Labels as Bounty, Bilesse and J&E played a major part in the gospel scene in Michigan. Even the mighty Soul label Motown tried their hands at gospel with interesting results. You will find all this and more in the new episode of Quartet Treasures at The Quartet Spot.
You can check the schedule in order to figure when Quartet Treasures is 'on air' in your time zone, but why bother checking the schedule when you can listen 24/7 to great gospel music at The Quartet Spot.

Posted by Cies at 1 Sep 2010 | Add Comment

Dynamic Holy Spiritualaires - Thank God For Salvation

Dynamic Holy Spiritualaires - Thank God For Salvation

Several weeks ago we featured a blog entry written by Brother Charles of The Quartet Spot about the history of the Dynamic Holy Spiritualaires. Today we have his second contribution to the Just Moving On blog. Again on the Dynamic Holy Spiritualaires, but this time on their latest CD release and their upcoming anniversary. Brother Charles has also made a Dynamic Holy Spiritualaires bio/discography page for the Just Moving on website.

Now in their 38th year of existence The Dynamic Holy Spiritualaires’ latest release is perfectly entitled “We’re Not Through Yet” (2009 Cooleo Records). It displays the dynamic sound the Spiritualaires have became known for down through the years. Loaded with 15 tracks their latest recording showcases the songwriting and arranging talents of Brother Glennis. The project is well balanced withb allads, drives and locks and appeals to all age ranges. This project also displays the group’s maturity in Christ as each song delivers a powerful scripture based message. The guys also sing about today’s many social and political issues as with track 12’s “When Shall We Get SomeRelief”.  Track 15’s “Virtuous Woman” a powerful and moving testimony of a mother’s love. They do manage to step on some toes and remind us to be thankful for how far we have come with track 9’s “Black Folks OughtTo Praise Him”. On many of their recordings the group has always given us their take on a soul/r&b song. Track 1 “We’re Not Through Yet”(Remember The Time-Michael Jackson) and track 8 “Thank God for Salvation” (Just My Imagination- The Temptations) are their latest offerings. This last song is today's selection. 
To this day the group continues to show up and support the small local programs and community events, while still appearing in cities throughout the US. This is definitely one group you would never want to miss when they are in your town. Laurel, MS’s own Dynamic Holy Spiritualaires. This Sunday, August 29, the Dynamic Holy Spiritualaires have their Homecoming.

Posted by Brother Charles at 27 Aug 2010 | Add Comment

Supreme Highlights - Drowning In The Sea Of Sin

Supreme Highlights - Drowning In The Sea Of Sin


The Exciting Supreme Highlights are from Charleston, South Carolina. They made their recording debut in the early seventies on Su-Ann as the Exciting Highlights with two albums and one 45. As far as I know they are the only artists who made their recording debut at one of Hoyt Sullivan's labels before moving on to the gospel major Savoy. For Savoy they recorded only one album. "Cross Jordan" (Savoy LP14451) was released in 1977 and is, as far as we know, also the last recording the Exciting Supreme Highlights ever made. "Drowning In The Sea Of Sin" is taken from this album.
At the time of recording this last album the group members were: Thomas Prioleau (manager & lead guitar), Donal Bellinger (2nd tenor & bass player), Paul Smith (lead singer & lead guitar) and Joseph Prioleau (2nd tenor).

Posted by Cies at 25 Aug 2010 | Add Comment

Freddie Branch - Stay On The Battlefield

Frieddie Branch - Stay On The Battlefield

Earlier on today I got a message stating that Freddie Branch has joined the Heavenly Choir on Saturday August 21. His stay on the battlefield for the Lord has come to an end.
We've featured Freddie Branch & the Singing Stars several times on this blog. For more info on his career and for more of his music you best click here , here and here.

Posted by Cies at 23 Aug 2010 | View Comments (2) | Add Comment

Supreme Travelers - Come This Far By Faith

Supreme Travelers - Come This Far By Faith


In January 2008 we featured the 45 the Supreme Travelers released on Gospel Master. In that blog entry I wrote that the Supreme Travelers released two 45s. Today we can add a third one to that list, thanks to Matt Starr who mailed me this one. The Supreme Travelers also released one 45 on Cuca.  Back in January 2008 I was still convinced that The Supreme Travelers who released one 45 on D-Vine Spirituals and the group on Gospel Master were one and the same. Today I'm not so sure about that anymore.

Posted by Cies at 22 Aug 2010 | Add Comment

Brooklyn Allstars - No Cross No Crown

Brooklyn Allstars - No Cross No Crown


In my blog entry on the Dixie Hummingbirds the other day I wrote that we have to visit the big ones from time to time. Focusing on all those hard to find releases on all those small independents is one thing that needs to be done, visiting the well known quartets on the bigger independents is another thing we need to do. In this case you can take visiting literally as the Broolyn Allstars have a release party this sunday August 22 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Yes the Brooklyn Allstars are still in business after more than fifty years on the Gospel Highway.
From their earliest recordings in 1958 on Peacock to their more (commercially) succesful years on Nashboro and Jewel in the seventies to a less hectic recording and performing schedule in the 21st century. Some time in the 1980s they moved from New York to South Carolina because there was still a thriving quartet scene in the Carolinas with programs in (almost) every city and town. When you check the programs listings at Reunion Ministry you will notice that quartet enthusiasts in the Carolinas have even today enough programs to choose from. When you look at the flyer above and think you've seen the group's picture before, you best click here. Apparently programmers have found their way to this blog as well. 
"No Cross No Crown" was released in 1968 as a 45 on Nashboro 936 and was also a track on the album "The Exciting Brooklyn Allstars" (Nashboro LP 7043) from the same year. It's one the group's biggest hits and was anthologized many times on all kinds of 'greatest hits' and 'best of' compilations. Hardie Clifton, who passed in 1990, is singing lead on "No Cross No Crown".

Posted by Cies at 19 Aug 2010 | Add Comment

Quartet Treasures # 32: Mississippi

Quartet Treasures # 32: Mississippi


Later on today a new episode of Quartet Treasures will go 'on air' at The Quartet Spot . The theme of the new episode is: Mississippi, the Magnolia state. There are several well known quartets who come from Mississippi. Ofcourse you have the Blind Boys of Mississippi, but you also have the Canton Sprituals, the Jackson Southernaires and the Sensational Williams Brothers.
It was the Jackson Southernaires who played an essential part in Malaco of the state's capital Jackson becoming one of the leading labels in the gospel market. In 1975 tired of having to travel to Los Angeles, California for recording sessions at the SongBird studios, the Jackson Southernaires approached local R&B label Malaco asking if they weren't interested in recording them. And the rest as they say is all history with Malaco still releasing gospel albums today. 
Malaco wasn't the only player in the field, there was another important player, James Bennett's J&B outfit also located in Jackson. In 1976 the first release on J&B was by the local group the Canton Spirituals who have through the years become program headliners all over the USA.
For those artists who didn't get or didn't want a contract with either Malaco or J&B there were more than enough opportunities in Memphis, TN, just north of the state border.
Memphis based labels as Designer , JCR and Messenger all had artists from Mississippi on their roster. Even a bit farther on the road in Nashville you can find many artists from Mississippi on labels as HSE and Champ .
In this new episode of Quartet Treasures you will get to hear them all. From big names like the Blind Boys of Mississippi and Jackson Southernaires to regional heroes like the Morris Sisters of Clarksdale and the Spiritual Harmonizers of Coldwater.
You can check the broadcast schedule to see when the show is 'on air' in whatever delta region you're living. Or you can just listen to The Quartet Spot 24/7 by clicking on the player in the blogroll.

Posted by Cies at 17 Aug 2010 | Add Comment
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