SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - The Back Home Choir

The Back Home Choir was one of the last of the big choral groups dedicated to singing the spirituals, following the likes of Wings Over Jordan and the Hall Johnson Singers. The group was founded in the gospel hotbed of Newark, New Jersey, by the Rev. Charles Banks and ranged in size from 60 to 100 voices ... and all carefully auditioned by Banks himself... though many of the vocalists came from the famed Abyssinian Baptist Church choir in Harlem.

The Back Choir’s first album for the RCA Victor label, I Do Believe, was released in 1958. It’s a strong album of spirituals, with Carrie Smith carrying many of the lead vocals – including “I’ll Fly Away,” “Roll Jordan, Roll,” the title track, and, my favorite, an uplifting ... and upbeat ... version of “King Jesus is All.”

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 - The Hampton Institute Quartet

The Hampton Institute Quartet’s rendition of the beloved cam meeting singalong, “Old Time Religion,” dates back to 1939.

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - “I Want to be Ready” by The Congregational Church Choir

The Congregational Church Choir’s scratchy “I Want to be Ready” is a rare and wonderful example of a jubilee song from 1927.

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - “I Want to Be Loved” by The Exciting Gospel Incredibles

The Exciting Incredibles live up to their name with the deep Southern soul gospel groove of “I Want to Be Loved.”

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - 'I Want to be Free' by The Jordan Singers

The Jordan Singers’ “I Want to be Free” has the same rollicking beat as some of the best freedom songs by the Staple Singers.

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 - 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.”