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Well, when it comes to live gospel recordings, here is the king of them all. The Statesmen Quartet On Stage, recorded at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville Tennessee. This record just explodes with energy from beginning to end. I won't be posting a lot of complete records, but this one has to be heard in its entirety. The Statesmen at this time consisted of Hovie Lister (piano, vocals), Roland 'Rosie' Rozell (tenor), Jake Hess (lead vocals), 'Big Chief' Jim Wetherington (bass) and Doy Ott (baritone). This group was to last from 1958-1963 and may be the most famous of all the lineups. I have listed the tracks in the order they appear on the LP so that you can listen to it in the order intended.
From the liner notes on the back of the LP: "One hears on every side about the enormous success of rock-and-roll shows - The mammoth crowds, the unbounded audience enthusiasm. Yet, in the face of this popularity, the fact remains that in the South rock-and-roll shows do no draw anywhere near as well as gospel sings". After listening to this LP, that would be something I have no trouble believing.......Sacred quartet in action indeed....
From the liner notes on the back of the LP: "One hears on every side about the enormous success of rock-and-roll shows - The mammoth crowds, the unbounded audience enthusiasm. Yet, in the face of this popularity, the fact remains that in the South rock-and-roll shows do no draw anywhere near as well as gospel sings". After listening to this LP, that would be something I have no trouble believing.......Sacred quartet in action indeed....
Just came across your page. Great stuff. Hope you start it up again!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind word. I have posted some more. Hope you enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite live album and my favorite quartet. This is one of those LPs you take on a deserted island. . .
ReplyDeleteI totally agree John. A great live LP captured of a quartet at what is perhaps the top of their game.
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