This record came out on the Tropical label out of Miami (better known for Frankie Seay & The Soul Riders). Most of it consists of a sermon but the album is bookended by a couple of songs on each side. The most unusual is the one opening side A, with its raw, lo-fi sound. [...]
The Witness Four were a Auckland, New Zealand based Gospel group from around 1969-1970. This LP is a private release on their own Damascus label and was recorded at Zodiac Studios in Auckland sometime around 1970. The LP is a mix of gospel, folk, pop and jazz. The members of the group were: Bruce McGrail [...]
This is an excellent feel good Gospel LP out of 1970s Wisconsin. I like the fact that it only has one sermon & the other six tracks are great uplifting songs. I’m not usually a fan of stuff with big choirs but the strength of the soloists & the band on this are for some [...]
I haven’t been able to google much about Kenneth Moales’ recording career. I believe this was his ensemble’s first LP & is probably from the early 70s. Moales is still apparently a respected evangelist & pastor, but I have no idea if he has other records or not. This would be a great LP but [...]
This is another inexplicable find from my favorite neighborhood thrift store (SEE ALSO: Joseph – Merry Christmas to You). I’ve been meaning to post this for a while, but I was stirred to action when I learned that said thrift store closed forever this past weekend. I am sad. Seriously, that store was like a [...]
Normally I am not a big fan or hunter of gospel records. The gospel field is so incredibly huge & filled with so many records that are so awful that it is pretty tough to know where to start. So I guess I am a dabbler at best when it comes to gospel records. I [...]
I’ve bought tons of gospel records in the past few years, some good and mostly bad (or too choral or lo-fi) But this one is by far my favorite and one I come back to the most often. It just has the pefect mix to me of soulful vocals, sublime backing female vocals, solid drumming [...]
Private press californian gospel LP from 1981. On the back cover Van Arsdel looked so much like the bearded Dennis Wilson that I had to give it a spin. I know this is the first pressing because it says so on the label, helpful. You can google Kurt van Arsdel and find his webpage, but [...]
‘Nuther really cool homemade gospel rarity from down south. What makes this one especially interesting is that one side consists of very crude almost home-recorded sounding piano and vocal duets, while the other is slightly more produced and features a backing band. I’m assuming this split is referenced in the “Yesterday and Today” title. Both [...]
I know nothing about the Ellison Family, so, rather than write nothing, I’ll tell you how I came to posses this record. (cue hypnotic music/enter flashback scene)…
Hello… HELLO???
A 1963 édition from the Office Catholique Du Disque with sleek cloth-bound good looks, chunky 24-page papyrus booklet insert and 5 discs all in superb condition despite coming from a dank junkshop corner amongst other stuff that was badly water-damaged. Imagine my delight when I open the box and see the fine print:
Stock cover, late 70′s, DIY looking from Southeast Washington DC, the song titles stood out, looking mostly gospel, with “It’s Got To Be That Dope” raising curiosity. The sounds impressed, gospel, modern soul, drum and rap. With further research i discovered their web site, Pin Points is an activist inner city theatre group that works [...]
incredible DIY release, variety of styles showcased by thiis rail riding hobo, including some straight Ozark gospel, folky xian protest & heartfelt honest pleas for redemption. Recorded from 1975-8 in Springfield Missouri, featuring top notch studio musicians now working in Branson and members or garage/retro rockers the Skeletons/Morells. This is the real deal, the infamous [...]
One of my more exciting finds as of late. Extremely raw home-made gospel lp by these four bay area brothers and their dad. While this is far from a total Shaggs style freak-out, it has an absolutely amazing and infectious energy to the whole thing that reminds me of a lot of my favorite amatuer [...]
I had no idea what this LP was all about when I saw this at my local Salvation Army. I did know that it was a fresh change of pace from the usual barrage of Mantonavi’s and Streisand’s that have flooded the store for the past however many years. Anyway, flipping to the back cover [...]
This record comes with pretty much everything you could ask for in a Private Press Gospel album. There’s the ugly chicks, long haired dudes, tubby inbred looking dudes and a bus within which to travel and spread the word. Just as well then that there’s a choice cover shot that incorporates all the ugliness of the [...]
Easily one of the greatest record covers of all time, making use of a painting called ‘Rapture’ by Charles Anderson. I also found a different shitty gospel record using the full, uncropped artwork on the cover. Just off to the left of the picture you see here? A 747 smashing into a skyscraper.
This comes from a live 1983 concert in Baltimore, MD. Musically, this is gospel soul with a ‘modern’ feel to it. “Even So, Come, Lord Jesus”, with it’s Revelations-based lyrics, moves me as she lets her sweet voice really belt it out. Also, for someone who is celebrating, Diann looks a little worried on the [...]
Absolutely stunning! Really it’s the only words that I can come up with for this record. Released in 84 it’s a Modern Soul Gospel burner that is quite unfuckwithable in my opinion. Melvin & Yvonne (Mel-Vonne get it?), handle the vocals, the writing of the tunes, and the producing duties. Great backing band too with [...]