SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - Sister Barbara Jones

Don Robey was one of the most notorious characters in gospel music history. A well-known gambler, he would laundry his winnings through his record label, Peacock Records. The funny thing is, Robey actually had a great ear for gospel music – and while none of his artists ever made any money from Peacock, they released some great gospel songs in the late 1950s and into the 1960s.

That said, a lot of gospel artists passed through Peacock’s studios on Lyons Avenue in Houston, including Sister Barbara Jones. Jones only recorded two tracks for Robey, but they’re in great demand by collectors because of Sister Jones’ ferocious, razor-sharp soprano. Of the two, my favorite this stomper, “Be Ready.”

MUSIC: (2438) Sister Barbara Jones, “Be Ready,” 45(September 22, 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.

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