SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - The Jackson Gospel Singers

Right up there with Stax, Atlantic Records of New York was probably the most soulful label of all time – with Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Wilson Picket and a hundred more. So you’d probably guess that Atlantic’s short-lived “gospel” series from the 1950s was pretty good ... and it was!

A great example? The all-female Jackson Gospel Singers from New Orleans. In addition to the usual array of strong lead singers, the Jacksons had a secret weapon: Mary Thames Coleman, one of the world’s few female bass singers. The Jacksons sang old school gospel, heavy on the harmonies, with just a touch of doo-wop, always under-pinned by Coleman’s pumping bass lines. “I Can’t Walk This Highway” from 1954 displays the Jackson Gospel Singers at their fiery best.

MUSIC: The Jackson Gospel Singers 45, “I Can’t Walk This Highway” (July 27, 2025) 2:51 minutes

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 - “I Want the Lord to Do Something for Me" by Straight Street Holiness Church of Fort Valley, GA

Straight Street Holiness Church’s raw recording of “I Want the Lord to Do Something for Me” has a joyful energy all its own.

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - (I Was Way Down Yonder) I Couldn’t Hear Nobody Pray by The Kelly Brothers

Chicago’s Kelly Brothers sound like they’re from Mississippi in the churchy, soulful “(I Was Way Down Yonder) I Couldn’t Hear Nobody Pray.”

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - The Rev. James Cleveland and the Salem Inspirational Choir

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

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - The Back Home Choir

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

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 - 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 - 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!