For the life of me, I cant remember what group sang the more gospel type version of this. Anyone remember? Cheers,

Hi Jordan

 

It's The Salem Travellers

Thank you! Knew it was something like that!

More bluesy/R&B than gospel I suppose, and not a group.... but its the version I prefer  Big Mama Thornton.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfgBdccQYGg

There's that many versions. Marlene Shaw is still up there for me, but I also have this version and a lot of people on here will probably hate it..

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rX1iV-J3sA

Posted a wanted now for the salem travellers, cheers.

Posted a wanted now for the salem travellers, cheers.

 

It's a cheapie. Nice one.

The song itself is a old spiritual song, taken from Wikipedia......

 

"Wade in the Water" (Roud 5439) is the name of a Negro spiritual first published in New Jubilee Songs as Sung by the Fisk Jubilee Singers (1901) by John Wesley Work II and his brother, Frederick J. Work (see Fisk Jubilee Singers).

 

The song relates to both the Old and New Testaments. The verses reflect the Israelites' escape out of Egypt as found in Exodus:14.^[1] The chorus refers to healing: see John 5:4, "For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had."

Many internet sources and popular books claim that songs such as "Wade in the Water" contained explicit instructions to fugitive slaves on how to avoid capture and the route to take to successfully make their way to freedom.^[2] This particular song allegedly recommends leaving dry land and taking to the water as a strategy to throw pursuing bloodhounds off one's trail.

"Wade in the Water" was a popular instrumental hit in 1966 for the Ramsey Lewis Trio, which prompted further instrumental recordings by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, and Billy Preston (both 1967). The melody was used for the 1988 Tony! Toni! Toné! hit "Little Walter". The version by Golden Gate Quartet also appears on the album Nick Cave - Roots & Collaborations (2009), establishing the song as one of the musical sources that have inspired the Australian artist.

"Wade in the Water, Children" is a 2008 American Documentary directed and produced by Elizabeth Wood and Gabriel Nussbaum. It was filmed by a group of 8th grade students at the first school to reopen in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The film offers a shockingly intimate look into life as a child in the ruined city. The film was praised as "Scalding Stuff" by Newsday, and won the audience award at the New Orleans International Human Rights Film Festival.

 

 

There are a fair few gospel version that also have dancefloor appeal, here's a few

 

Apostles Of Music - Revival Records, nice funky version

 

 

 

Truth - Wade in the water - Mega

 

Edited June 7, 201312 yr by Dave Thorley

Also the "Angelic Choir" on "Savoy" 

 

Des Parker

Also the "Angelic Choir" on "Savoy" 

 

Des Parker

 

 

This version is by Willie Mitchel.

 

All the best,

 

Len  

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fnqckk2jno

I had a saved search for this on Ebay and has come up a couple of times but never ended up bidding as not 100% sure on it.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kMPZi3ZabY

As far as instrumental versions go, The Ramsey Lewis Trio's is quite good, as well.

Loads of great versions, Little Sonny being one of the best IMO.

Graham Bonds is also very good, if you like manic Hammond / Mod instros!

Not forgetting soul tunes whose backings are very similar, Tony Clarkes 'Wrong Man' and Johnny Guitar Watsons 'Wait a minute baby' are prime examples.....

I mentioned  the version by Jessy Dixon on the other Gospel thread.  I posted it on Refo about 5 years ago (its still there)......cracking dancer,,,,,,dunno how to post a link

john ylvisaker featuring dick hyman - wade in water

Edited February 28, 201411 yr by nickp

Little Sonny is also my favourite, with Marlena Shaw closely behind.

Also the "Angelic Choir" on "Savoy" 

 

Des Parker

got a exc con issue copy  for sale £50 inc post .ez

Edited February 26, 201411 yr by ezzie brown

More bluesy/R&B than gospel I suppose, and not a group.... but its the version I prefer  Big Mama Thornton.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfgBdccQYGg

best version

blackbird by the manhattans uses the same type of backing , think its a lp only track but on youtube , also there is a version called walk softly children which is another alternative vocal

twas on the stax northern lp from the 70's

kev

 

soulful strings not too bad either

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0MEEogI5oM&list=PLT9W4MipXl2c_kELUzo3FcjPzPyzMqURh&feature=share

kev

The term "wade in the water" also refers to the act of being baptised. My favourite versions are Little Sonny followed by Ramsey Lewis. The song was also used as the backing track on Tony Clarke's "they call me (a wrong man)"

Dave

Duplicate post

Edited March 1, 201411 yr by Only Dreaming

Yes, Big Mama Thornton - vocal and Little Sonny - instrumental for me.

 try and find a s/file and have a listen to "tema de los adolescentes " on  mexican rca camden lp "los sonidos de f.m. " instro version..dynamite niter dancer  version for me.............soz cant s/file it...ez

 try and find a s/file and have a listen to "tema de los adolescentes " on  mexican rca camden lp "los sonidos de f.m. " instro version..dynamite niter dancer  version for me.............soz cant s/file it...ez

 

Although similar in style 'Tema De Los adolescentes' (Teenagers Theme) by Los Sonidos de F.M. isn't actually a version of 'Wade in the Water'........first played by Mik Parry and still very rare on 7" despite a handful of copies turning up last year.

 

I played it at Lifeline last year to a packed dancefloor, only for one well known Northern DJ/Promoter to apparently moan that the scene doesn't really need another version of 'Wade in the Water'.........no, what we don't really need is second rate modern day versions of Latin Boogaloo classics as spun by same DJ/Promoter............. ;o)

 

Ha ha....you couldn't really make it up if you tried......

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JK8ZlTIyTXU

Although similar in style 'Tema De Los adolescentes' (Teenagers Theme) by Los Sonidos de F.M. isn't actually a version of 'Wade in the Water'........first played by Mik Parry and still very rare on 7" despite a handful of copies turning up last year.

 

I played it at Lifeline last year to a packed dancefloor, only for one well known Northern DJ/Promoter to apparently moan that the scene doesn't really need another version of 'Wade in the Water'.........no, what we don't really need is second rate modern day versions of Latin Boogaloo classics as spun by same DJ/Promoter............. ;o)

 

Ha ha....you couldn't really make it up if you tried......

 

 

Mace

Didn't you play it at Drivin' Beat last year?Great version.

Cheers

Martyn

Yes pal....even though it isn't s 'version'

;o)

also a version by johnny griffen and the soul band on RIVERSIDE, motown jazz...............