Luther Barnes and the Sunset Jubilaires were among the hottest gospel groups of the early 1980s. Like the Winans, the Barnes brothers --- Donald, Melvin, Sherrod, Roy and Luther – caught the spirit of the age, but added the gospel soul of their Rocky Mount, North Carolina roots. Along the way, the group recorded numerous gospel favorites: “Lord, You’ve Been So Good to Me,” “God Gave Us All He Had,” their version of “I’ll Rise Again” and many others.
They also found time to record a Christmas album. A 45 from that LP, “No Room for Jesus” and “Let’s Go to Church on Christmas Day,” is still played on gospel radio, more than 40 years after it was first released. “Let’s Go to Church” is classic Sunset Jubilees, with those tight sibling harmonies and terrific Hammond B3 organ accompaniment.
I’m Robert Darden … “Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments” is produced by KWBU and the Black Gospel Music Preservation Program at Baylor University Libraries.
