In the thousands of gospel albums preserved in Baylor’s Black Gospel Music Preservation Program are hundreds, maybe thousands of LPs by individual churches. The BGMPP cherishes these rare pieces of vinyl – many are the only known copy. They’re also a record of a priceless folk tradition, one that’s worth celebrating.
The church is either celebrating some anniversary or releasing the record the album as a fund-raiser. The church pays for the recording and sells the albums at various services. They’re usually not as polished as the gospel recordings from major labels but they’re often a joy nonetheless!
The LP I’ll Go by the Antioch Baptist Church Choir of Pontiac, Michigan, features a history of the church on the back, a description of the pastor –– and even some notes about how much the new building cost! The songs are by the various choirs and includes this charming – and utterly authentic -- cut, “He’s My Savior, Too.”
MUSIC: “He’s My Savior, Too,” from the Antioch Baptist Church Choir I’ll Go LP, Side 2, Track 2
I’m Robert Darden … “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.