Most soul singers started out in the church singing gospel & lots went back to sacred music after their time doing secular stuff. It's always been there & has enjoyed periods of increased interest with soulies. From the likes of the Gospel Classics "More Love" being a biggie on the UK soul scene to "Oh Happy Day" making the pop charts & through to modern soulers getting into Donn Thomas's "How Can I Help But Love You" and more, gospel has had it's supporters. When the Staples went big on Stax and ABC took over Duke / Peacock in the 70's, gospel's profile increased. Later on, the long running CD series 'WOW GOSPEL' (which featured a compilation of the best tracks released each year) did good business for over 20 years.

But, thanks to DJ's like Greg Belson and interest from specialist reissue labels, gospel tracks seems more popular than even at the moment. With lots of 45's & LP's being recorded and pressed up in limited numbers and mainly sold at live concerts, there are plenty of rare items to lust after & chase. Just about the rarest release on the UK Chess label has to be the gospel comp album 'A Christmas Dedication From ..'. There are hundred's of US gospel 45's that would catch on if they were more widely known, many being rare items on obscure indie labels (many attached to individual churches or to the folk running choirs). There are even decent UK released gospel 45's and albums to go after on labels such as Chess, Atlantic, Action and more.

It would be good to get a few recommendations from Soul Sourcers with regard to which tracks they play on a regular basis.   

   

Plenty of decent gospel takes on soul songs. Lots of them being great versions of those songs  ... 

CLARA WARD Dead End Street

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zCVTutlvuM

 

I don't think people realise how many big rare soul sounds are actually gospel tracks to be honest.

Edited January 21Jan 21 by Clee93

I always say I don't like it, then the legend that is Gospel Bob, Robert Cornock, blows away with one of his sets again. The very best to play this genre IMHO 

In 2023, I was asked to play a set rooted in Gospel in the Main Room at the Rugby Soul Allnighter. So, I assembled a box of 45's I thought would work the floor for the audience, including what can be regarded as 'evergreens', rare spins, new discoveries etc, next to a few secular tunes I generally like to play. John Manship DJ'ed before me, so it was quite the honor to take over the reins in such esteemed company.

Here's my playlist...I'll be returning again this June with more Gospel for the main room, so hopefully see some of you there.

Cheers!

Rugby Soul Allnighter – Main Room - 17th June 2023 – Greg Belson Set - 12 til 1am

Blind Billy – Nothing But The Holy Ghost (Crown Ltd)
Freedom Gospel Singers – You Better Be Ready (Studio 7)
Southern Trumpets – Good News (Better World)
Dixie Nightingales – I Don’t Know (Chalice)
The Golden Crowns – Where Could I Go (Crown’s Labor)
Holy Disciples – Trying To Make A Hundred (Song Bird)
The Soul Stirrers – Don’t You Worry (Checker)
Fantastic Singing Jubilees – Trust In Him (Checkar)
Bobby Jones & New Life – Jesus Is Just Alright With Me (Free Spirit)
The Swan Silvertones – If You Think Your God Is Dead (Try Mine) (Hob Is Gospel)
United Sounds – It’s All Over (Baby) (United)
Willie Dale – Let Your Light Shine (Lovie D)
The Sacred Four – Somebody Watching You (Champ)
The Voices of Nashville – This Heart Of Mine (Creed)
The Master Keys – I Done Got On The Right Road (Co-Op)
Spiritual Four – If You Think Your God Is Dead (Sendus)
Re-Vells – I Want A New Love (Trent Town)
Swindell Brothers – Nobody’s Fault But Mine (Rae-Cox)
Frisco Singers – Ain’t No Sun Since You Been Gone (Chess)
Rance Allen Singers – Let’s Get Together And Love (Reflect)
Tones of Joy – Seeking For God (Sonic)
Beverly Wheeler with The Cameros – Don’t Shake My Tree (BSC)
 

Above I stated lots of gospel acts cut for church based labels or tiny indie labels. But they don't always stay that way.

Maceo Woods started out as the pastor at a little local church. After developing the church's choir, he recorded them and put out an album. A copy of this found it's way to Stax. They licensed it for national distribution and signed Maceo Woods up. Next thing, he's a nationally known top gospel artist.  

 

this is a very good R&B screamer 

sort of uptempo mod R&B with obvious gospel lyrics  and backing 

 

Edited January 21Jan 21 by Gaz T

A gospel guy who crossed over to find mainstream success ... 

Edited January 22Jan 22 by Roburt

A couple of tracks I have, think you could call them call them gospel 

 

 

21 hours ago, Geeselad said:

I always say I don't like it, then the legend that is Gospel Bob, Robert Cornock, blows away with one of his sets again. The very best to play this genre IMHO 

The first time I met Gospel Bob he told me a story about someone asking where he got his name from and he told them that he was born in the deep south of America and his dad was a pastor who had to flee the country or something to that power 😂

I'll hold my hands up and admit that I don't have the depth of knowledge that most folks have on here. But these are are few I've heard over the past few years. All album only tracks that have appeared on a few playlists too.

 

I believe Greg Belson will attest to the fact that there are still decent gospel 45's & LP's out there to be found. This, despite, many of them being pressed up originally in small numbers & never making it into normal record shops. For many years (around 40+ I'd guess), most UK cratediggers chasing stuff in the US would ignore gospel releases. I know lots of UK dealers picked bits up when buying in bulk but (many times) they struggled to sell the gospel items that came their way. Many moons ago, I bought some gospel 45's off Richard Domar (dealing with him was an experience in itself). He must have remembered my 'interest' coz when he sold up he contacted me. He said if I took every gospel 45 he still had, he'd give me a great deal. To be fair to him, he did as well (though he snuck in a couple of 45's by white Christian singers that were truly awful). When Contempo (B&S) were doing their soul packs back in the early 70's, I recall them having Peacock & Nashboro gospel 45's and including these with the US soul 45's that went into their 'packs'. They probably had Chess gospel 45's too that went in soul packs, but I can't recall them having Vee Jay or Savoy gospel items in stock.  .   .    .     . NOT  "Shake, Me, Wake Me" ...

 

Edited January 22Jan 22 by Roburt

1 hour ago, Roburt said:

I believe Greg Belson will attest to the fact that there are still decent gospel 45's & LP's out there to be found. This, despite, many of them being pressed up originally in small numbers & never making it into normal record shops. For many years (around 40+ I'd guess), most UK cratediggers chasing stuff in the US would ignore gospel releases. I know lots of UK dealers picked bits up when buying in bulk but (many times) they struggled to sell the gospel items that came their way. Many moons ago, I bought some gospel 45's off Richard Domar (dealing with him was an experience in itself). He must have remembered my 'interest' coz when he sold up he contacted me. He said if I took every gospel 45 he still had, he'd give me a great deal. To be fair to him, he did as well (though he snuck in a couple of 45's by white Christian singers that were truly awful). When Contempo (B&S) were doing their soul packs back in the early 70's, I recall them having Peacock & Nashboro gospel 45's and including these with the US soul 45's that went into their 'packs'. They probably had Chess gospel 45's too that went in soul packs, but I can't recall them having Vee Jay or Savoy gospel items in stock.  .   .    .     . NOT  "Shake, Me, Wake Me" ...

 

Yes, out there, no question, but prices have gone up drastically over last few years. 

One of the rarer 45's from my Rugby playlist
 

 

https://youtu.be/EWdoN7nl6Bk?si=7xPp0d0KXPJtn3fc

Not forgetting Bessie Griffins liberty lp which has a couple of outstanding tunes on it , including two little fishes which is a lovely jazzy R&B mover 

also available on a French ep but get the LP as it has another track on it  which is just as good 

 

Quality tuneage sir, love it

Like with soul tracks, I find that many times I'll plumb for the major label version of a gospel song against an indie label version. The studio equipment utilised / the musicians involved and the quality of the vocals reaching more professional standards on the major's version. However, as with lots of indie soul cuts, that's not always the case. One record company that certainly gave it's gospel acts every chance was CHESS / CHECKER. Lots of their gospel releases were of a high quality and coz of the sheer quantity of tracks they laid down, it meant their gospel sampler albums were decent things to chase. I'm sure there are dozens of great Chess gospel tracks that I'm still (even now) unaware of ... 

Gospel compilations of their stuff didn't just gain release back in the day either, as there are lots of more recent releases that they feature on. 

 

Edited January 25Jan 25 by Roburt

Thought this would go nicely with an article just posted ... 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_g4sDSpW9Uc

 

Here ya go, Roburt…tune in today on dublab.com

 

On 21/01/2025 at 12:29, Roburt said:

Capitol Soul Singers What he's done for me. 

Been after it for years but generally unobtainable

   

 

 

17 hours ago, Bunderthollox said:

 

Likewise 

The Violinaires - Trying To Get Ready - Checker 1966

 

 

Always hard to find good gospel this track came out on the Peace label 7"

I picked up on the lp 

 

Edited January 26Jan 26 by Kev John

Somebody just posted this up on Facebook AND I LIKE IT ...

O V Wright & the Luckett Brothers ... 

 

 

The above track is so good, I went looking for others cut by this teaming ... 

 

For those that are turned off by lyrics bout Jesus ... lots of great gospel versions of soul songs ...

This is one I've always liked & I have the UK LP that it's included on ... (it was a double LP release in France, but I've just got the UK version) ...  

 

On 26/01/2025 at 12:34, Alan T said:

The Violinaires - Trying To Get Ready - Checker 1966

 

 

Another one from them. For all those wicked men who've danced on the ballroom floor.

 

For me Greg is the man with the tunes in this genre.

He supplied me The Sacred Four and some other great Gospel tunes around 16 years ago, which led to me searching for and finding more stuff:  he has a real in-depth knowledge in this area.

Here's a couple of mixes I did around 10 years ago. 

 

https://www.mixcloud.com/paulsadot/the-rapture/

https://www.mixcloud.com/paulsadot/soul-full-gospel/

A couple of tracks that have gospel ties ...

Clara Ward was a big star on the gospel scene in the 60's, she tried her hand at secular music too

Doing the reverse of Clara, was Peggy Scott. After a successful recording career in the soul genre, she turned to gospel in later years ...

 

 

Edited January 31Jan 31 by Roburt

Charlie 'Cole Black' Brown dabbled with soul tracks though he was more normally to be found singing gospel as the lead with the Violinaires ... he had unissued soul tracks in the vaults @ Jewel / Paula but they got lost down the years ...

More on him here... CHARLIE "COLE BLACK" BROWN : Sir Shambling’s Deep Soul Heaven

https://www.sirshambling.com/artists_2012/B/charlie_cole_black_brown/index.php

 

Edited February 7Feb 7 by Roburt

I've just bought a single by "The gospelaires of Dayton O" ,-"God helps those who help themselves",UK Arista ,uptempo bordering on disco but I like it. Sorry don't know how to upload the track

55 minutes ago, Amitwiirly said:

I've just bought a single by "The gospelaires of Dayton O" ,-"God helps those who help themselves",UK Arista ,uptempo bordering on disco but I like it. Sorry don't know how to upload the track

 

The Winans "Let my people go" was filling UK dancefloors 40years ago.

Wonderful albums by Be Be & Ce Ce Winans have featured on Richard Searling, Mike Shaft and many other soul shows over the years.

 

Edited February 7Feb 7 by Jessie Pinkman

1 hour ago, Kev John said:

 

Thanks Kev

This beautiful track should be on everyone's playlist

 

 

I don't know much about gospel, but I love, I mean I absolutly LOVE Jessie Dixon... Love Lifted me...

The Harlem Gospel Travelers, are a seriously talentled bunch of guys, that 'Look up' Lp, is a killer lp...

finally, this is good by The Famous Ward Singers, great lyrics... features a young Clara Ward..

 

@Roburt there is a good version of 'Grandmas Hands' by Marion Gaines Singers. Comercial release, but same song...

 

On 23/01/2025 at 12:59, Gaz T said:

Not forgetting Bessie Griffins liberty lp which has a couple of outstanding tunes on it , including two little fishes which is a lovely jazzy R&B mover 

also available on a French ep but get the LP as it has another track on it  which is just as good 

 

This is Bessie doin' the female version of Sam Cooke.

Classic quartet sound from the imperious Swan Silvertones. 

 

Another beauty from the fabulous Jackson Southernaires.

 

Loved this at the time of its release.

 

Gospel was fun when you could still buy a stack of 45s on ebay for peanuts. The rising prices took most of the joy out of collecting them. The recent gospel revival brought a lot of titles that are not that good but still get lots of play. 

Some of the records I found and do still enjoy:

Southern Trumpets – Good News

The Harris Special – To Make Things Better

Evangelist Billy Sanders – Why Am I Treated So Bad

The Souls Of Solomon Of Buffalo New York – Do Your Self A Favor / Got To Get A Message To Jesus

Connie Pitts – Working People

The Genessee Gospel Travelers - Don't Blame It On The Children

The Sensational Travelers Of Richmond California – We Need Love

The Lou Etta Terry Singers Of Buffalo New York – Prayer Is The Answer / Who Do You Turn To

O'Neal And The Dean Brothers – Don't Give Up / It's Your Life

The Soul Superiors Of Detroit Mich. – What Ever You Do, Do Good

Mr. Soul Roosevelt Brown – Don't Let The Devil Ride

Spencer Jackson Family – Bring Back Peace To The World

Edited February 9Feb 9 by Larsc

QUOTE >> Loved this at the time of its release -- Helen Baylor ...

I've got this on the Expansion 12" from 1992. Also got this one (also on Expansion) from a year earlier .. 

 

This next track came to me  a few years ago lots of plays @ FTMNTC 

 

Pt. 2 of the Checker Gospel LP Feature Focus coming up next week!



 

Don't know if this is soul or gospel but this guy is establishing a bit of a profile of late ... 

(he's doing a concert @ the Kennedy Centre in DC on March 13th) ... 

 

An LP originally sold via local black newspapers ... back then (1968) it would have cost you $2.98. It costs a bit more now.

 

 

Edited February 20Feb 20 by Roburt

A couple of steppers from Prince Gideon (aka Carter Cornelius of Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose)

Obscure uplifting Detroit gospel version of Diane Lewis’ I Thank You Kindly on Wand. 

Not too many about, played by the likes of Tony Smith

I have a VG+ copy of this if anybody is on the look out to add to their collection

Edited March 13Mar 13 by Clee93

Just put one up for sale here. Greg Belson discovery  

 

Lots of great gospel tracks put out by Chess Records -- Greg B has been on the case with the recent comp LP ... BUT there are still other tracks from Chess that deserve an airing. ALSO a bit 'left field' but this has to be the rarest UK Chess label release ...  

Some Gospel Tracks played over the years on Soul Discovery Shows 

Holden Brothers  “If I Didn’t Have You” (HB)

Robert Owens “Show Me Your Face” (Universal-Dutches Music)

Sammie Wallace “Heaven Bound” (Ideal Records)&

Rich ‘Christie’ Feat Monique Reed “Free to believe” (DL)

Minister Bowie "I'm a winner" (Rolling Cloud)

Maurice “How can you say you love me”
(CDS) Re-Mix

Bernard “Kingdom of love” (Cross Town Music West)

Bertha F. Barrett  “Joy” (Naba)

Rev. Harvey Gates / Zelig’s Wells “ It’s Hard To Live In This Old World” (Acquarian Records) 7’

Benji McAllister “Have Your Way (Fix Me Lord)” (DET MI) 7”

Eugene Hash “Try Again ” LP (Omega Records)

Michelle & Family Love “Reality” LP (Glenn Records)

Michigan Soul Searchers “Where could I go” (Bell Time Records) *

Michigan Soul Searchers “Bread Alone” (Bell Time Records) *

The DCW & Project L. Sydney Davis "Show my love to you" (MM)

Coretta Davis "Still love him away" (PT)

Marvin Webb “ It’s Time For Love” (Brightside Music Group)

Spencer Wiggins “Key to the kingdom” (Tavette)

Harold Holloway & Company “Hold on (Don’t Let Go) “ (Crew Records)

Lola “Wash your hands” (Wilbe)

Pastor Kevin E. Stafford “So good” (PKS)

The Apostle “Winner in you” (Multi Platinum Record Entertainment)

Randy Roberts & Richard Burton” Stairway to Heaven” (Quantize Recording) 

Truth & Soul “Jesus Made Me What I Am”LP (Memorial) 

Cleveland Parker (aka Lee McDonald)“How Long” (CD Baby) *

J.A.M. with Peace, Hope and Security Joe Michell “I Have Never Ever Felt Like This Before” LP (Glory Land / Rome Records)

The Como Mamas “Get An Understanding” LP (Daptone Records)

Candi Staton “His Hands” (Honest Jon’s Record) LP

The Chestnut Brothers “ Whole Lotta You In Me” (JonKia)

Lady Lois Snead “I Found Out” / “Until We Learn”  (Divine Chords Recordings) 7’

Seawind “He Love You”(CTI) LP

Seawind “Free” (Horizon Records) LP

Mary Love Comer “Caught Up” (Love Records) 12’

Mary Love Comer “Come Out Of The Sandbox” (CoLove Records) 7’

Mary Love Comer “ His Servant Am I”LP (CoLove Records) 

Shonda L. English “Feels Good” (Home of The Good Groove Records) 7’

The Canton Spirituals “Peace” (Verity Records)

Pastor A.L. Smith “Stay Together” (God Spoke Records)

F.H.T. Singers featuring Karen Yandle & Victor Adams “ Living Down Here”(FHT Records) 12’

Bernard Lilton “Your Blessing” (CB Conchillo Records)

Rev. Sam E. Solo “I’ll Never let you down” (Brilliant Minds Records)

Voice Of Atlanta “Another Day” (JMaw Music)

Mamon & Mamom “Everlasting Love” (MMI Records)

First Creation “Just Don’t Want To Go Back” (AMIR)

Robert Moe “Cry No More” (RM)

Jeff Patterson & Company “Dark End Of The Street” (Daxwood Records)

( *Izipho Soul Records 45’s)

Thank you for looking 

Mick

On 11/02/2025 at 16:02, Kev John said:

This next track came to me  a few years ago lots of plays @ FTMNTC 

A biggie at DDA back in the day..