A Stranger I May Be: Savoy Gospel 1954-1966

The first of three volumes surveying surely the mightiest Gospel label of them all. Stomping, rollicking gospel music, intermingling with raw soul, searing blues, hard-rocking doo-wop and jazz, and storming R&B. Infused and incandescent with the hurting, surging indignation of the Civil Rights movement, here are twenty-four precious scorchers by giants like the Staple Singers and Jimmy Scott, alongside devastating sides by less celebrated names like the Harmonizing Five of Burlington, North Carolina, and teen-group the North Philadelphia Juniors, culminating triumphantly with slamming, sanctified versions of Hit The Road Jack and Wade In The Water. Drawn from nigh-impossible-to-find 78s, sevens and LPs, hardly any of these recordings have been reissued since their first release. Presented in a gatefold sleeve, with full-size booklet; beautifully designed, with stunning, rare photographs and original Savoy artwork. Sound restoration and mastering at Abbey Road; pressed at Pallas. Co-curated by Greg Belson, compiler of Divine DiscoA City Called Heaven: Chicago and the Birth of Gospel Music (University of Illinois), and host of the award-winning radio show Gospel Memories. CD 1: Famous Ward Singers – I’m Getting Richer / The Harmonizing Five – I Don’t Need Nobody But The Lord / The Sensational Six – Let Freedom Ring / The Gospel Harmonettes Specials – How Much More / The Christones – Lord, It’s Me / The Staple Singers – Low Is The Way / Swindell Brothers – Trouble Of Mine / The Roberta Martin Singers – I’m Glad I’m A Witness For My Lord / Jimmy Scott – Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child / Shirley Caesar And The Caravans – He First Loved Me / The Blind Boys of Alabama – On Some Day / The Hightower Brothers – He That Believed / North Philadelphia Juniors – There’s Something Within Me / The Selah Singers – The Wicked Race / The Ward Singers – Let The Train Roll Easy / The Stars of Faith – Mean Old World / Marion Williams – Get Your Business Right / The Gospel Cavaliers – Are You Listening / The Caravans – Mercy / Eddie Williams and the Crusaders – They Won’t Believe In Me / The Davis Sisters – Earnestly Praying / The Gospel Chimes – My Jesus Love Just Bubbles Over / The Angelic Gospel Choir – It’s The Holy Ghost / The Angelic Choir – Wade In The Water CD 2: The Artistic Sounds – Give It Up / The Holy Lights of Baltimore, MD – I’ll Be Satisfied / The Swan Silvertones – Trust iI God / Gene Martin – A Little Bit Of Faith / Myrna Summers – Have A Talk With God / James Cleveland And The Southern California Community Choir – I Want To Thank You Master / Betty Hollins – What A Time (When All God’s Children Get Together) / The Metro Tones – Get Together / The World Wonders- He Made A Way / The Brooklyn Skyways – Dark Clouds / Sister Ida Maxey – Do Lord / The Thornes Trio – You Don’t Love God / Mildred Clark And The Melody-Aires – Hold On, I’m Coming / The Highway Q.C.s – If You Fail, Try Again / The Gospelaires Of Dayton, Ohio – What Will Tomorrow Bring / The Holy Lights Of Baltimore, MD – Keep On Singing / The Exciting Supreme Highlights – Drowning In The Sea of Sin / James Moore – I Thank You Master / Prof. Charles Taylor And The Charles Taylor Singers – Been Good To Me / The Brockington Ensemble – God Is God (He Won’t Change) CD 3: Edith Moreno – Get Ready For Judgement Day / World Wonders – The Cost of Living (Is Very High) / The Helen Hollins Singers – He Gave It To Me / Solomon Burke – I Know He Lives In Me / The Gospelaires Of Dayton Ohio – God Helps Those Who Help Themselves / Genobia Jeter Things Have Got To Get Better / The Lady Lois Snead With The Interdemoninational Mass Choir of Atlanta, GA – I Found Out What You Mean To Me / Charisma – Protected / The Stan Lee Revue – Make Every Day Count / The Sensational Williams Brothers – Sunday / The Holy Lights Of Bal more, MD – It’s Gettng Late / The 4th Of May – Pass It On / The World Wonders Of Birmingham, ALA – Ain’ t It Good To be Here / James Cleveland And The Cleveland Singers – Any time, Anyplace, Anywhere / The Hollywood Stars – Come On Jesus / The Steele Family – Show His Love / Glenn Jones And The Modulations – It’s All Right LP 1: Famous Ward Singers – I’m Gettng Richer / The Harmonizing Five – I Don’t Need Nobody But The Lord / The Sensational Six – Let Freedom Ring / The Gospel Harmonettes Specials – How Much More / The Christones – Lord, It’s Me / The Staple Singers – Low Is The Way / Swindell Brothers – Trouble Of Mine / The Roberta Martin Singers – I’m Glad I’m A Witness For My Lord / Jimmy Scott – Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child / Shirley Caesar And The Caravans – He First Loved Me / The Blind Boys of Alabama – On Some Day / The Hightower Brothers – He That Believed LP 2: North Philadelphia Juniors – There’s Something Within Me / The Selah Singers -The Wicked Race / The Ward Singers – Let The Train Roll Easy / The Stars of Faith – MeanOld World / Marion Williams – Get Your Business Right / The Gospel Cavaliers – Are You Listening / The Caravans – Mercy / Eddie Williams and the Crusaders – They Won’t Believe In Me / The Davis Sisters – Earnestly Praying / The Gospel Chimes – My Jesus Love Just Bubbles Over / The Angelic Gospel Choir – It’s The Holy Ghost / The AngelicChoir – Wade In The Water