Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments

One of the most irresistible songs in all of gospel music is the Golden Gate Quartet’s a cappella rendition of the story of Daniel in the lion’s den – “Shadrack.”

You’ve never heard Bob Dylan’s masterful “I Shall Be Released” until you’ve heard it sung by Robert Blair and the Violinaires of Chicago.

James Herndon was one of the top composers and pianists during gospel’s Golden Age and responsible for such upbeat classic hits as “No Courage Soldier” from 1968.

During the mid-1980s, the Golden Wings of Atlanta sang silky smooth gospel with songs like “Jesus Will Make Everything All Right.”

Blind street-corner singer the Rev. Pearlie Brown’s haunting rendition of the old spiritual “Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning” is a powerful glimpse into our musical past.

The Gospel All-Stars’ “It’s Me, Oh Lord,” is one of the earliest recordings of gospel legend James Cleveland.

Elder Nick Hightower’s old-school Hammond B-3 stylings are the highlight of this rare gospel instrumental, “Let Everybody March.”

Birmingham native Jean Austin’s hoarse and commanding voice is perfect for her slow and smokey version of “I Ain’t No Stranger Now

The patriarch of the Dozier family of gospel singers, the Rev. Raymond Dozier, is a masterful gospel singer himself – witness his rendition of “No Kids Allowed.”

When a member of the Dixie Hummingbirds missed a show, a member of the Sons of the Birds stepped right in!

The glorious voice of Dorothy Maynor deserves to be better known today.

The Rev. Willie A. Treadwell’s Treadwell Community Singers were much loved in their native Chicago for their rendition of old favorites like “Sit Down, Servant.”

The Rev. Milton Brunson and the Thompson Community Choir’s “It’s Gonna Rain” may be the best cover version ever of an Andrae Crouch and the Disciples songs.

The Staple Singers’ elegiac, mournful version of the ancient spiritual “The Virgin Mary Had One Son” is a great way to say goodbye to 2023!

You’re not likely to hear a more creative interpretation of the old carol “We Three Kings” than this one by the Williams Brothers.

The legendary Soul Stirrers recorded a handful of Christmas songs in the late 1960s, including the pop-oriented “Christmas Joy.”

The Gospel Starlet’s version of the old folk spiritual “Children Go Where I Send Thee” owes much to legendary producer Phil Spector’s “wall of sound” approach.

“I’m Going to Work” is a sterling gospel release by the powerful vocalist Melvin Boyd and the Fabulous Ohio Wonders.

The Melody Kings of Los Angeles epitomize a certain deep-South soulful gospel with “I’m Going to Walk Through the Streets.”