Early American Religious Music and Song

Classic Recordings From the 1920’s and 30’s

September is Gospel Music Heritage Month. Thus, we decided to take a closer look at some of the very early gospel music recordings. What better representatives of the early gospel music recordings than the projects How Can I Keep From Singing Volumes 1 and 2. The subtitle to each of the volume is Early American Religious Music and Song – Classic Recordings From the 1920’s and 30’s.

Shanachie Entertainment is the driving force behind the release of these CDs. In fact, Shanachie has delivered to the marketplace numerous re-mastered projects showcasing early gospel recordings. Take a look at our Quartet Video Review for the month of June 2010.

The CDs represent a “[p]owerful and deeply moving overview of Early American religious music and song form both the white and black communities.” Included on these historical masterpieces are “music styles from archaic fundamentalist modal hymns, to gospel quartets, to Pentecostal bands, to songsters accompanying themselves on guitars, banjos, and fiddles, to snippets of church services including some preaching.”

With the How Can I Keep From Singing projects, according to liner notes from Shanachie, they “impart an overview of the traditionally oriented religious music landscape in America both during the period when these recordings were made (1920’s) and in much earlier times, as some of these styles date back to the very founding of the country. From the primitive modal strains of sacred Harp choruses, early major scale hymn singers, sanctified congregations, jubilee groups, class quartets, rural string bands, and solo songsters come the inspired and impassioned performance hear here. The power and eloquence of this singing communicate a sense of transcendence that resonates deeply in the hum spirit. Being so moved is a blessing that can open both one’s heart and one’s eyes, first but profound steps towards a sense of well-belling, and perhaps even a state of grace.”

On these CDs are songs like The Golden Gate Jubilee Quartet (Job), Wade Manner And Sons Of The Mountaineers (Lonely Tomb), Blind Joe Taggart (Goin’ To Rest Where Jesus Is), Roosevelt Graves And Brothers (Woke Up This Morning), Rev. H. B. Jackson (Everytime I Feel The Spirit), and Rev. And Mrs. Edward Boone (Will David Play His Harp For Me). The list is just a sample of the songs from the CDs. In fact, each volume contains 23 songs.

In addition to being able to experience the songs from this earlier period, the CDs are accompanied with a brief history/bio of each of the artists. So, you learn that Jaybird Coleman was form Bessemer, Alabama; that George Long and His Singers were from Tupelo, Mississippi; and that Washington Phillips was a Guitar Evangelist from East Texas.

Whether you are a gospel music history buff or just someone interested in learning the origin of many of the songs you hear today, this collection is for you.  We agree with Shanachie’s assessment that these CDs “provide an expansive overview of early American religious music.”
 

We give How Can I Keep From Singing Volumes 1 and 2 a 10 out of 10. You may not be able to find the CD in your local music store.  However, it can be ordered online by clicking HERE.  Click on the title to hear He's Got Better Things for You by the Memphis Sanctified Singers.