SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - The Victory Travelers

I once had the great fortune to interview Reuben Burton of Chicago’s Victory Travelers. Burton, still pastors a church on the South Side, and the Travelers are mainstays of the Chicago gospel scene and were active in support of the civil rights movement as well as Operation PUSH.

During their long careers, the Victory Travelers consistently released classic gospel quartet music, usually led by Pastor Burton’s husky, soulful voice. While all of their recordings are worth seeking out, the Beautiful Gates EP has several superb songs, including the title track – a memorable example of the best in 1960s gospel soul.

MUSIC: The Victory Travelers, Beautiful Gates EP, “Beautiful Gates,” Side 1, Track 1

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 - Blue Christmas

The Meditation Singers’ lone Christmas album, A Christmas Dedication, features this delightful doo-wop of “Blue Christmas.”

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - Archie Dale and the Tones of Joy

Archie Dale and the Tones of Joy’s gospel songs could match the best R&B groups of the late ‘70s and early 1980s.

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - The Back-Sliding Heifer

The Rev. Cleophus Robinson was one of the finest of the gospel preachers – as witnessed by this snippet from The Back-Sliding Heifer.

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - “This Little Light of Mine”

The Swan Silvertone’s rendition of the beloved freedom song “This Little Light of Mine” features solo turns from all of the quartet’s great singers.

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - J & J Community Choir

Famed bassist Fred Hammond leads Detroit's J & J Community Choir of Detroit on a fiery closing version of "When the Saints Go Marching In."

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - The Gerald Sisters

The pride of South Carolina, the Gerald Sisters have released passionate, high quality traditional gospel music for more than 40 years.

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - Jimmy Jones and the Sensationals

Deep-voiced Jimmy Jones was one of the few lead bass singers to lead his own group – the Sensationals – in the history of gospel music.

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - The Shackleford Singers

Detroit’s The Shackleford Singers bring the gospel funk with their explosive record, “Been to the Water.”

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - Anthony Butler and His Singers

Anthony Butler and His Singers recreate the classic sound of the beloved Golden Gate Quartet with their song, “Judgement’s Coming.”

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - Sister Barbara Jones

While unknown today, Sister Barbara Jones’ razor-sharp soprano gives the stompin’ “Be Ready” a timeless quality.