Hailing from the musical hotbed of Detroit in the early 1970s, the Shackleford Singers released three 45s on the tiny R.S. Records label, including the manic “Been to the Water.”
Fifty years later, the premiere reissue label Numero Uno has re-released the Shacklefords on its wonderful Good God! Born Again funk series. “Been to the Water” features the father, Robert, singing lead and playing piano, while his six sons provide the explosive backing vocals. Alas, for some reason, the Shackleford Singers disappear after that, leaving behind an all-too-brief recorded legacy of six songs and some seriously sanctified shouts!
MUSIC: The Shackleford Singers, “Been to the Water,” 45 (October 6, 2024)
I’m Robert Darden … “Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments” is produced by KWBU and the Black Gospel Music Preservation Program at Baylor University Libraries.