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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!

Rosie Wallace first came to the attention of gospel music lovers as the astonishing lead singer with the Imperial Gospel Singers of Philadelphia. Eventually, she left the Imperials and founded the First Church of Love, Faith and Deliverance and became Evangelist Rosie Wallace. Her very first recording with her choir produced the well-loved gospel song, “God Cares.”

After that, every Evangelist Rosie album was a special occasion. Her multi-octave voice, songwriting and sheer presence dominated every stage, every recording session. When it was time for her next recording, industry giant Savoy Records brought in its top people, including famed producer the Rev. Fred Roberts. From 1968, sit back and enjoy the power of Evangelist Rosie Wallace and the First Church Choir’s spine-tingling rendition of “Lord, Please Hold My Hand.”

Evangelist Rosie Wallace - Lord Please Hold My Hand

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

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
The Gospel Seekers’ “I’ve Got Jesus” is an old time, foot-stompin’, gospel rave up of the highest order!
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
Led by the legendary R.H. Harris, the Christland Singers recorded a number of memorable songs, including their version of “I Am Too Close.”
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 - 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.”
SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - The Newberry Singers
Led by Edwin Newberry, the always innovative Newberry Singers sound like no other gospel group on their own composition, “Trouble Will Soon Be Over.”
SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - Sarah Vaughan
The incomparable Sarah Vaughan recorded a handful of spirituals during her long career, including this gentle version of “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child.”
SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - The Patterson Singers
The Patterson Singers’ “I’m Moving Up” features an irresistibly up tempo closing gospel vamp.

Robert F. Darden is the author of two dozen books, most recently: Nothing But Love in God’s Water, Volume II: Black Sacred Music from Sit-In to Resurrection City (Penn State University Press, 2016); Nothing But Love in God’s Water, Volume I: Black Sacred Music from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement(Penn State University Press, 2014); Jesus Laughed: The Redemptive Power of Humor(Abingdon Press, 2008), Reluctant Prophets and Clueless Disciples: Understanding the Bible by Telling Its Stories(Abingdon Press, 2006); and People Get Ready! A New History of Black Gospel Music(Continuum/Bloomsbury, 2004).