The great Rev. James Cleveland released nearly 200 albums during his long career. One group he returned to regularly were The Harold Smith Majestics. Founded by gospel legend Harold Smith in Detroit in 1963, it was like an all-star choir of top Motown Singers. The Majestics performed classic and new gospel songs, light classic numbers, and even re-written versions of Broadway and pop hits. On the LP James Cleveland Presents ... The Harold Smith Majestics, Lord Help Me Hold Out from 1973, there is even a gospelized version of “I Did It My Way” titled “I Did It God’s Way!”
And that album is a good place to start with the Majestics. Lord Help Me Hold Out, which was released by industry giant Savoy Records and features their hit song, “The Lord Will Carry You Through” – it’s got that great, full-bodied Detroit gospel choir sound!
I’m Robert Darden … “Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments” is produced by KWBU and the Black Gospel Music Preservation Program at Baylor University Libraries.
