SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - Rev. Willie A. Treadwell

There is a church on every street corner in Chicago and each of them, I’m beginning to think, has great gospel music. In another city, the Rev. Willie A. Treadwell and the Treadwell Community Singers would have ruled the gospel music scene. In Chicago, they were just another great group.

Treadwell founded the United Faith Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church in 1971 and led it until his death at age 86 in 2017. Treadwell and his group were regulars at all Chicago music programs – they were always beautifully rehearsed and everybody loved Treadwell’s soaring tenor. The Community Singers, alas, only released a handful of self-produced LPs – and all of them are as good as this a cappella rendition of the old spiritual, “Sit Down, Servant.”

MUSIC: (2403) Rev. Willie A. Treadwell, “Sit Down, Servant,” 45 (January 21, 2024)

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

RECENT EPISODES OF SHOUT! BLACK GOSPEL MUSIC MOMENTS

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - The Violinaires

You’ve never heard Bob Dylan’s masterful “I Shall Be Released” until you’ve heard it sung by Robert Blair and the Violinaires of Chicago.

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - James Herndon

James Herndon was one of the top composers and pianists during gospel’s Golden Age and responsible for such upbeat classic hits as “No Courage Soldier” from 1968.

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - The Southern Jubilee Singers

The Southern Jubilee Singers of Waco, Texas, recorded a single 45, the bright and bouncy a cappella number, “Noah.”

Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments - The Golden Wings of Atlanta, Georgia

During the mid-1980s, the Golden Wings of Atlanta sang silky smooth gospel with songs like “Jesus Will Make Everything All Right.”

Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments - Rev. Pearly Brown

Blind street-corner singer the Rev. Pearlie Brown’s haunting rendition of the old spiritual “Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning” is a powerful glimpse into our musical past.

Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments - Gospel All-Stars

The Gospel All-Stars’ “It’s Me, Oh Lord,” is one of the earliest recordings of gospel legend James Cleveland.

Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments - Elder Nick Hightower and Sister Massey

Elder Nick Hightower’s old-school Hammond B-3 stylings are the highlight of this rare gospel instrumental, “Let Everybody March.”

Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments - Jean Austin

Birmingham native Jean Austin’s hoarse and commanding voice is perfect for her slow and smokey version of “I Ain’t No Stranger Now

Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments - Gloria Griffin

Gloria Griffin’s long career produced a host of memorable gospel songs, including the powerhouse praise song, “Bless the Lord.”

Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments - Kitty Parham

Kitty Parham’s career included stints with the Clara Ward Singers, Marion Williams’ Stars of Faith and the hit Broadway musical, “Black Nativity.”