By the early 1970s, the Mighty Clouds of Joy were the top quartet in gospel music. Led by the larger-than-life voice of Joe Ligon, the Clouds dressed in sharp matching suits, traveled with a full band, and wrecked churches from coast to coast. They also spawned a number of imitators ... among the best were the Gospel Seekers out of New Rochelle, NY.
The Seekers lone LP for the tiny Mozell label in 1975, titled I Come a Long Ways, features the group in white suits and ties with bright red shirts, staring into the sunset. It also features some great, hard-charging gospel music. The quartet never quite broke through to gospel’s upper echelons, despite opening for the Rev. James Cleveland, Shirly Caesar, the Violinaires, and others. One of the highlights of I Come a Long Ways is the opening track, “I’ve Got Jesus” – and you’d swear this foot-stompin’ gospel rave up is the Mighty Clouds of Joy at their best.
I’m Robert Darden … “Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments” is produced by KWBU and the Black Gospel Music Preservation Program at Baylor University Libraries.
