You don't hear much about Pittsburgh in gospel circles, but the Steel City had a thriving gospel scene in the 1950s and '60s. The best known group in town was the fiery Anna Murrell Singers. Led by Madame Anna, the quartet was founded in 1950 and recorded sporadically into the early '60s, including some fine 45s for Savoy's Gospel Label.
Madame Anna was the primary singer/songwriter but the Singers also included Geneva Bostic, sister of Joe Bostic. Joe was a legendary New York City sportswriter and broadcaster who booked gospel shows on the side - he's the one credited with opening Carnegie Hall to the likes of Mahalia Jackson.
The Anna Murrell Singers' too short discography includes the slow and bluesy "I Heard the News," which was written by Madame Anna. "I Heard the News" deftly combines the hard gospel of the '50s and the doo-wop harmonies of the early '60s. Give it a listen!
'Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments' is produced by KWBU, the Black Gospel Music Preservation Program at Baylor University Libraries and is funded by generous support from the Prichard Foundation.