Evangelist Eddie Williams and the Crusaders were an unlikely gospel super group. Their album, In Thee, Oh Lord, was probably too adventuresome for the gospel marketplace, but it contains a number of superb performances. In addition to gospel veteran Williams, the Crusaders included Clyde Brown, who had sung lead for the Rev. James Cleveland and the Cleveland Singers, along with the three daughters of folk/blues legend Josh White – Beverly, Fern and Judy.
But the most arresting voice in the Crusaders was powerhouse vocalist Christine Clark. Released in 1971 for Savoy Records, In Thee, Oh Lord contains a fine mixture of original gospel songs and covers, including a dramatic arrangement of Dion’s pop hit, “Abraham, Martin & John” into a gospel sermonette titled “Anybody Here.”
MUSIC: (2543) Evangelist Eddie Williams and the Crusaders, In Thee, Oh Lord LP, “Anybody Here,” Side 1, Track 1 (Oct. 26, 2025)
I’m Robert Darden … “Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments” is produced by KWBU and the Black Gospel Music Preservation Program at Baylor University Libraries.