SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - Swanee Quintet

Some of the great gospel groups lasted 50, 60, even 70 years – including the Golden Gate Quartet, the Soul Stirrers, and the Swanee Quintet. The Swanees were founded in Georgia in 1939 and continued to record into the 2000s. Their longevity was due to the group’s trademark rough and ready sound – they were considered the most “country-gospel” sound of all of the great groups.

At the heart of the Swanee Quintet was the ferocious voice of the Rev. Ruben Willingham, an old school shouter and testifier who was happy to preach or sing just about anywhere anytime. During their decades together, they released many hits and memorable songs – “Cry Sometime,” “It’s Hard to Get Along,” “Race to Run,” “Jesus Won’t Fail,” “Sit Down Servant,” “Sleep on, Mother,” “New Walk” and this selection, “The Lord is on My Side.” How fierce was Willingham? The Swanees once toured with James Brown and His Famous Flames!

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

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The Rev. James Cleveland leads the Salem Inspirational Choir in a stirring version of his hit song, “I Don’t Feel Noways Tired.”

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The Back Home Choir specialized in choral arrangements of the old spirituals, including this upbeat rendition of “King Jesus is All.”

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - Myrna Summers

The multi-talented Myrna Summers can sing anything – but she’s rarely sounded better than on this haunting spiritual, “Stand By Me.”

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - The Gospel Seekers

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SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - The Jackson Gospel Singers

New Orleans’ fiery Jackson Gospel Singers released a fistful of superb gospel songs in the mid-1950s, including “I Can’t Walk This Highway.”

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - Marv Johnson

Early Motown pioneer Marv Johnson recorded a gospel LP in 1962, which featured this up tempo version of the old COGIC chant/song, “Every Time I Feel the Spirit.”

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - The Christland Singers

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SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - The Townsend Sisters

Produced by the legendary Willie Mitchell in Memphis, the Townsend Sisters’ “You Can’t Hurry God” is a gospel powerhouse!

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - Rosie Wallace and the First Church of Love, Faith, and Deliverance Choir

Few could match the power of Evangelist Rosie Wallace and the First Church of Love, Faith and Deliverance Choir of Philadelphia!

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - The Harold Smith Majestics

The Harold Smith Majestics could sing anything, from light classic to gospelized Broadway tunes to classic gospel like “The Lord Will Carry You Through.”