SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - The Back Home Choir

The Back Home Choir was one of the last of the big choral groups dedicated to singing the spirituals, following the likes of Wings Over Jordan and the Hall Johnson Singers. The group was founded in the gospel hotbed of Newark, New Jersey, by the Rev. Charles Banks and ranged in size from 60 to 100 voices ... and all carefully auditioned by Banks himself... though many of the vocalists came from the famed Abyssinian Baptist Church choir in Harlem.

The Back Choir’s first album for the RCA Victor label, I Do Believe, was released in 1958. It’s a strong album of spirituals, with Carrie Smith carrying many of the lead vocals – including “I’ll Fly Away,” “Roll Jordan, Roll,” the title track, and, my favorite, an uplifting ... and upbeat ... version of “King Jesus is All.”

I’m Robert Darden … “Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments” is produced by KWBU and the Black Gospel Music Preservation Program at Baylor University Libraries.

PREVIOUS EPISODES OF SHOUT BLACK GOSPEL MUSIC MOMENTS

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - The Back Home Choir

The Back Home Choir specialized in choral arrangements of the old spirituals, including this upbeat rendition of “King Jesus is All.”

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - Myrna Summers

The multi-talented Myrna Summers can sing anything – but she’s rarely sounded better than on this haunting spiritual, “Stand By Me.”

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - The Gospel Seekers

The Gospel Seekers’ “I’ve Got Jesus” is an old time, foot-stompin’, gospel rave up of the highest order!

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - The Jackson Gospel Singers

New Orleans’ fiery Jackson Gospel Singers released a fistful of superb gospel songs in the mid-1950s, including “I Can’t Walk This Highway.”

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - Marv Johnson

Early Motown pioneer Marv Johnson recorded a gospel LP in 1962, which featured this up tempo version of the old COGIC chant/song, “Every Time I Feel the Spirit.”

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - The Christland Singers

Led by the legendary R.H. Harris, the Christland Singers recorded a number of memorable songs, including their version of “I Am Too Close.”

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - The Townsend Sisters

Produced by the legendary Willie Mitchell in Memphis, the Townsend Sisters’ “You Can’t Hurry God” is a gospel powerhouse!

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - Rosie Wallace and the First Church of Love, Faith, and Deliverance Choir

Few could match the power of Evangelist Rosie Wallace and the First Church of Love, Faith and Deliverance Choir of Philadelphia!

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - The Harold Smith Majestics

The Harold Smith Majestics could sing anything, from light classic to gospelized Broadway tunes to classic gospel like “The Lord Will Carry You Through.”

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - The Newberry Singers

Led by Edwin Newberry, the always innovative Newberry Singers sound like no other gospel group on their own composition, “Trouble Will Soon Be Over.”