GOSPEL Vol. 6 - Female Gospel Groups 1940-1962

by Jean Buzelin

Whether just stepping forward from the choir at a Sunday service in their little churches, or dressed in brilliant colours that glittered under the spotlights in the greatest arenas, five singers, wearing their most beautiful robes, would literally give themselves to their audience for the glory and joy of the Lord. Sisters or priestesses, reverends and preachers, or just ordinary worshippers, they sang, quite simply, with a power and strength of conviction that one could only rarely find in other forms of the Afro-American vocal art.

Even so, it had taken them quite a while before they were able, not to excel, but simply to exist in a society where their role, absolutely essential, had remained hidden. Black American women, positioned on the lowest rung of the social ladder, occupied only subordinate roles in their churches. The latter institutions, with morality their concern, had little tolerance for autonomy among women, and refused to allow them to exhibit themselves in public, including inside places of worship. Many great voices, confined behind the walls of kitchens and vestries, were never able to ring out in broad daylight, and so they were lost to us (with the exception of their own children, who were happily lulled by their Negro spirituals.) Apart from a few evangelists (notably Arizona Dranes), record companies were only interested in women if they sang the blues, jazz or pop music, if not classical. Gospel songs had to emerge in the early Thirties, partly in addition to increased tolerance on the part of hallowed churches, before little mixed choirs could appear, and before a few solid feminine personalities established themselves. Women like Lucie E. Campbell, for example, a writer-composer and singer who led the National Baptist Convention from 1919 to 1962, or Sallie and Roberta Martin.
We have no evidence on record as to the existence of female vocal groups before the end of the Thirties; the record industry had largely ignored them until the day a little independent label opened its studio doors for Sallie Martin and her singers to troop inside. But people had to wait another few years, first for the end of the war, and then after the recording ban (not to mention other socioeconomic upheavals), before the creation of multiple independent companies who relayed “the majors” and contributed to launch rhythm & blues (in the secular sphere) and its gospel counterpart (in the religious domain). It is worth noting that in the secular world, black female vocal groups were also inexistent.
Finally, it is probable that the personality and tenacity of a few pioneering ladies, in addition to the popularity of the first solo female singers in the Forties (The Georgia Peach, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Mahalia Jackson, Ernestine Washington) played a role of some kind in the feminisation of the world of religious music.
The female gospel groups that began to emerge were often made up of the best elements in church choirs. The groups often numbered five singers, although the groups generally counted between three and seven, and featured some extraordinary voices and personalities. Reaching all across the country, these ensembles formed remarkable nurseries for talents and served as a springboard for some of the latter, who later attempted careers, sometimes succeeding beyond their hopes, either in religious music or in the secular domain (in rhythm and blues, soul and pop music, and in television.)
Unlike the male vocal quartets whose members often sang a cappella or with very limited accompaniment, women’s groups were always backed by a piano and, most of the time, by an organ that provided a foundation in the lower register, whose tones were rarely reached by female singers. Due to the fact that the latter’s natural vocal register (soprano-alto) didn’t allow sufficient harmonic intervals, female voices didn’t operate (apart from exceptions) in the same way as their male counterparts, and favoured the resonance and brilliance of unisons, the power and beauty of their voices, and polyphony. A chorus would underpin and wrap the soloist, who would stand out against the other voices and at the same time draw the group higher to reach peaks of emotional intensity. The result provided spectacular performances where the sound rivalled in magnificence with the visual aspect.
And so, by the early Fifties, women’s groups were beginning to rival with their male colleagues in popularity, and then even supplant them as the jewel in the crown of this vocal art that had reigned for almost a century (since the end of the Civil War) over the world of Negro spirituals and gospel songs. After they became “Queens of the Golden Age of Gospel” they would continue despite the emergence of the great choirs and other forms of contemporary gospel. With a few modern thematic and orchestral adjustments, they still enjoyed enormous success playing for audiences at concerts and festivals – not to mention their active presence in numerous churches all across the country. In this domain, as in many others, women would gain revenge!
The aim of this set is to illustrate, as objectively and completely as possible, the history and place of female gospel groups during that great period we call The Golden Age of Gospel. Thanks to our collector-friends, who have lent us these recordings on 78 and 45 rpm discs (today otherwise unavailable), we were able to face a difficult choice and provide here, in all its musical diversity, the broadest possible panorama of these women’s gospel groups (known or unknown), their styles and forms of expression, and their most outstanding soloists.

Jean BUZELIN
English adaptation: Martin DAVIES

© Frémeaux & Associés 2022

DISCOGRAPHY
GOSPEL Vol. 6 - Female Gospel Groups 1940-1962

CD1
 1 THANK YOU JESUS (K. Morris) SM    SA519
 2 I KNOW I HAVE ANOTHER BUILDING (Jackson - K. Morris) CM    108
 3 WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS (J.M. Scriven - C.C. Converse) AW,BG 5192
 4 MY TROUBLE IS HARD (Trad.) BG    C 164
 5 WHEN I GET HOME (L.E. Campbell) CW,MW    SP 212
 6 I’M BOUND FOR HIGHER GROUND (W. Webb) CW,HW,WW    LA 8506-4
 7 TELL THE ANGELS (I’M ON MY WAY) (W.H. Brewster) CW    S 6826
 8 I’M GOING TO WAIT ON THE LORD (Trad.) MJD    A 312
 9 GETTING NEARER TO MY LORD (W.H. Brewster) RD    DS 9
10 BACK TO THE DUST (Trad. - arr. M. Allison) MA    AG 13
11 STANDING ON THE ROCK (Trad.) EH,MH    801
12 THE OLD LANDMARK (W.H. Brewster - arr. V. Davis) CW    US 11697
13 COME IN THE ROOM (A. Bradford) CW    CW 7
14 COME UNTO ME (C.P. Jones) AJ,MJ    CO 47624
15 EVERY DAY WILL BE SUNDAY (BY AND BY) (T.A. Dorsey) DL,MM,OE    OH 3-5
16 WHEN I REACHED MY HEAVENLY HOME ON HIGH (D. Love Coates - E. Starks) DL     OH 8
17 ONE MORNING SOON (Trad. - arr. D. Love Coates) DL    OH 22
18 I’LL MAKE IT SOMEHOW (A.B. Androzzo) AG,JH    UB 51-688
19 GOD IS ON OUR SIDE (E. Gay) EG    GS 6659
20 WORKING ON THE BUILDING (L. Bowles - W.O. Hoyle)    5005
21 THESE ARE THEY (W.H. Brewster - V. Davis) QA    BS 11
22 HE LIVES IN ME (R. Anderson) BJ    A 798
23 GOD IS GOOD TO ME (Trad.) OLH,AW    1223:70362
24 ON MY WAY HOME (Trad.) AW    1323:70382

(1) Sallie Martin & Her Nationaly Famous Quintette: Sallie Martin, Cora Martin, Dave Weston (vo), Julia Mae Smith (soprano vo), poss. Margaret? (vo); with Julia Mae Smith (p). Prob. Los Angeles, CA, ca. late 1949.
(2) Martin & Morris Singers: Sallie Martin, Cora Brewer Martin (contralro vo), Dorothy Simmons, Julia Mae Smith (soprano vo), Charlie Mae Lomax (vo); with Julia Mae Smith (p). LA, 1940.
(3) Southern Harps: Alberta French Johnson (Washington) (lead tenor vo), Bessie Griffin (lead baritone vo), Melinda Helen Matthews (Linda Hopkins) (tenor vo), Lucille LaBeau, Elestine Williams (baritone vo), Marion Trapagnier (bass vo). New York City 02/1947.
(4) Bessie Griffin & The Southern Revivalists of New Orleans: Bessie Griffin, Alberta French Washington (lead vo), Ruth Jackson, Dolores Idell (tenor vo), Clarabelle West (baritone vo), Marion Trapagnier (bass vo). NYC, 09/1948.
(5) Ward Singers: Gertrude Ward (mezzo), Willa Ward-Royster, Marion Williams (soprano vo), Clara Ward, Henrietta Waddy (alto vo); with Dave Riddick (p). NYC, 05/02/1949.
(6) Same; prob. Dave Riddick (p). NYC, 29/08/1949.
(7) Same; but Clara Ward (p), unknown (o). NYC, 26/08/1950.
(8) Mary Johnson Davis Gospel Singers: Mary Johnson Davis (lead vo), Thelma Jackson, Bernice Johnson (soprano vo), Frances Steadman (contralto vo); with Jeff Banks (p), unk. (o). NYC, 13/10/1949.
(9) Davis Sisters of Philadelphia: Ruth Davis (lead contralto vo), Audrey Davis, Thelma Davis (soprano vo), Alfreda Davis (contralto vo), Imogene Greene (alto vo); with Curtis Dublin (p), unk. (o)(dm). Prob. summer 1950.
(10) Angelic Gospel Singers: Margaret W. Allison (lead soprano vo), Josephine McDowell (soprano vo), Lucille Shird, Ella Mae Norris (vo); with Margaret Allison (p), unk. (o)(dm). 06/1950.
(11) Elite Jewels: Etta Mae Hurd, Mildred Hall (lead vo), Agnes Johnson (tenor vo), Edith Brown (baritone vo), Sonetta Waltley, Vanessa Roberts (vo). Cleveland, OH, ca. 1950.
(12) Famous Ward Singers: same as for 7. NYC, 15/11/1951.
(13) Clara Ward with the Clara Wards Specials: Clara Ward (lead vo), Thelma Jackson (soprano vo), Frances Steadman (contralto vo), Lil Davis, Frances Johnson, (vo); with Clara Ward (p), James Herbert Francis (o), unk. (dm). 07/1952.
(14) Jackson Gospel Singers; Alma Jackson, Mattie Joseph Gilbert (lead vo), Marjorie Kelley (tenor vo), Emma Golden (baritone vo), Mary Thames Coleman (bass vo); with Mattie Joseph (p). New Orleans, LA, 09/12/1951.
(15) Original Gospel Harmonettes: Dorothy Love (lead contralto vo), Mildred Miller (Howard) (lead mezzo vo), Odessa Edwards (contralto vo), Willie Mae Newberry (Garth) (alto vo), Vera Kolb (soprano vo); with Evelyn Starks Hardy (p), unk. (o)(b)(dm). Hollywood, CA, 05/07/1951.
(16) Same. Hollywood, 11/07/1951.
(17) Same. Hollywood, 24/07/1952.
(18) Golden Harp Gospel Singers: Ann Grant, Jeanette Harris (lead vo), Irene Williams, Gussie Walton (soprano vo), Betty Weathers (bass vo). Chicago, Ill, 10/1951.
(19) Gay Sisters: Mildred Gay (soprano vo), Evelyn Gay (alto vo), Geraldine Gay (tenor vo); with Evelyn Gay (p), Herman Stevens (o). NYC, 06/07/1951.
(20) Wings Over Dixie: unknown vocal group; with piano. ca. 1951.
(21) Queen C. Anderson & The Brewster Singers: Queen C. Anderson (lead alto vo), Gurice Malone (lead vo), Hessie Ford, Nancy Jerome (alto vo), Dorothy Ford (tenor vo); with Dorothy Ford (p), unk. (o)(dm). Prob. Memphis, TN, or Philadelphia, PA, 03/1952.
(22) Rosette Gospel Singers: Thelma Bradley, Jean Braxton (soprano vo), Barbara Johnson, Emma Wallace (contralto vo); with Oreen Johnson (p), unk. (o). NYC, 09/02/1952.
(23) Caravans: Albertina Walker (lead contralto vo), Ora Lee Hopkins, Elyse Yancey, Nellie Grace Daniels (vo); with Edward C. Robinson (p), Louise Overall Weaver (o). Chicago, 25/08/1952.
(24) Same. Chicago, 11/05/1953.


CD2
 1 IN THE MORNING WHEN I RISE (Trad.) RD    DS 16
 2 STAND BY ME (J. Cleveland) IG    DS 21
 3 OH LORD, HOW LONG (W.H. Brewster) CW    SWS 4422
 4 I’M CLIMBING HIGHER AND HIGHER (W.H. Brewster) MW    SWS 4525
 5 GREAT IS THE LORD (W.H. Brewster) MW    SWS 6781
 6 HE’S ALRIGHT WITH ME (Trad. - arr. D. Akers)    506
 7 YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN (D. Love Coates) DL    874
 8 YOU BETTER RUN (Trad. - arr. D. Love Coates) DL,OE    887
 9 WAIT FOR ME (C. George) CG    1503:70357
10 ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS (A. Sullivan - S. Baring-Gould) IG    1603:70349
11 I’LL BE ALRIGHT (M. Allison from C.A. Tindley) MA    558
12 JESUS, LOVER OF MY SOUL (S.B. Marsh - C. Wesley) LS    1554
13 WON’T IT BE WONDERFUL THERE (R. Davis) RD    SDS 8710
14 SHINE ON ME Pt.1 & 2 (Trad - arr. A. Davis) RD    SDS 6963/64
15 WHAT HE’S DONE FOR ME (A.M. Brunner) JV    SDS 70200
16 NEAR THE CROSS (F.J. Crosby - W.H. Doane) LB    56-442
17 BRING BACK THOSE DAYS (J. Goodwin) RN    5184
18 99 ½ WON’T DO (Trad. - arr. D. Love Coates) DL    1015
19 THAT’S ENOUGH (D. Love Coates) DL    5044
20 ALL THAT I NEED IS IN JESUS (Trad. - arr. M. Allison) MA    659
21 HARD TO GET ALONG (L.L. Rundless) DR,ER,LLR    1083
22 SWING LOW SWEET CHARIOT (Trad. - arr. S. Caesar) AW,SC    GCA 70398
23 I’M WILLING (I. Andrews) AW,IA    GCA 70396
24 THE STORY OF JOB (Trad.) AW    39018:U10867

(1) Davis Sisters: Ruth Davis, Audrey Davis, Thelma Davis, Alfreda Davis, Imogene Greene (vo); with Curtis Dublin (p), unk. (o). Early 1952.
(2) Same; but unk. (dm) added. ca. summer 1952.
(3) Famous Ward Singers: Clara Ward, Gertrude Ward, Willa Ward, Henrietta Waddy, Marion Williams, Frances Steadman, Thelma Jackson (vo): with Clara Ward (p), unk. (o)(b)(dm). NYC, 13/10/1953.
(4) Ward Singers; same, but Kitty Parham (vo) replaces Jackson; with Clara Ward (p), Sam Windom (steel g), unk. (o)(dm). NYC, 05/06/1954.
(5) Same; but prob. Ethel Gilbert (vo) added. NYC, 19/12/1955.
(6) Simmons-Akers Gospel Singers Trio: Dorothy Simmons, Doris M. Akers, Hattie Hawkins (vo); with Doris Akers (p), Albert Goodson (o). ca. 1953.
(7) Original Gospel Harmonettes: Dorothy Love, Mildred Miller, Odessa Edwards, Willie Mae Newberry Garth, Vera Kolb (vo); with Herbert Pickard (p), unk. (o)(b)(dm). 08/09/1954.
(8) Same; but Evelyn Starks Hardy (p), Herbert Pickard (o), unk. (b)(dm). 15/02/1955.
(9) Caravans: Albertina Walker, Cassietta George, Iris Humble, Gloria Griffin, Johneron Davis (vo); with James Cleveland (p), unk. (o). Chicago, 05/10/1954.
(10) Albertina Walker, Johneron Davis, Dorothy Norwood, Imogene Greene (vo); with James Cleveland (p), unk. (o). Chicago, 22/06/1956.
(11) Angelic Gospel Singers: Margaret Allison, Josephine McDowell, poss. Bernice Cole + unk. (vo); with prob. Margaret Allison (p), Blind Jimmy (James Herbert Francis?) (o). Nashville, ca. 07/1955.
(12) Little Lucy Smith Singers: Lucy Smith-Collier, Gladys Beamon Gregory, Sarah McKissick (soprano vo), Catherine Campbell (alto vo); with Lucy Smith (p), Herman Stevens (o), unk. (b)(dm). Chicago, 22/08/1955.
(13) Famous Davis Sisters: Ruth Davis, Audrey Davis, Thelma Davis, Alfreda Davis (vo), Jackie Verdell (mezzo vo); with Curtis Dublin (p), unk. (o)(dm). NYC, 09/08/1955.
(14) Same, but Thelma Davis out; omit (dm). 25/01/1957.
(15) Same as for (14); unk. (dm) added. 21/01/1958.
(16) Argo Gospel Singers: Lorenza Brown (soprano vo), Minnie Colbert, Claudia Jeter + unk. (vo); with William Lambert (p), Maceo Woods (o), unk. (b), Al Duncan (dm). Chicago, 09/03/1956.
(17) Argo Singers: Lorenza Brown Porter, Minnie Colbert, Estherline Smith (vo), Rebecca Nixon (contralto vo), Eddie Wheeler, Mildred Thomas (vo); with Joe Goodwin (p), unk. (o)(dm). Chicago, 16/12/1958.
(18) Original Gospel Harmonettes: Dorothy Love, Mildred Miller, Odessa Edwards, Willie Mae Newberry Garth, Vera Kolb (vo); with Evelyn Starks Hardy (p), Herbert Pickard (o), unk. (dm). Hollywood, 10/08/1956.
(19) Same. 20/01/1956.
(20) Angelic Gospel Singers: Same as for (11), but Cole out, unk. (o). Nashville, ca. 1959.
(21) Della Reese presents Her Meditation Singers: Della Reese, Earnestine Rundless (lead soprano vo), Laura Lee Rundless (lead alto vo), Delillian Price (Lillian Mitchell) (soprano vo), Marie Waters (contralto vo); with Kirk Stuart (p), Emory Radford (o). Detroit, MI, summer 1958.
(22-23) Caravans: Albertina Walker (lead), Delores Washington (soprano vo), Shirley Caesar (mezzo vo), Inez Andrews (contralto vo); with Eddie Williams (p), unk. (o)(dm). NYC, 09/10/1958.
(24) Southern Echos: prob. Alberta Washington, Ann Washington + unk. (vo); with Stanley Parker (p), unk. (o). ca. 1958/59.


CD3
 1 WE SHALL BE CHANGED (C. Ward - L. Herman) KP    SWS 70228
 2 THE SEVEN SEALS (W.H. Brewster) DR    17582
 3 I FOUND THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM (W.H. Brewster) CW    16216
 4 WHEN I LAY THIS BODY DOWN (M. Williams) MW,EF    SSF 70317
 5 MEAN OLD WORLD (M. Williams) FS,EF    SSF 70315
 6 LOOKING FOR JESUS (L.E. Campbell) KP    SSF 70696
 7 TOO LATE (Rev. Harrison) CS    617
 8 LOOKING FOR A HOME (Trad. - arr. D. Love Coates) MM,OE    58-367
 9 SO MANY YEARS (D. Love Coates) MM,WNG    SGH 70520
10 CHILDREN DON’T YOU GET WEARY (F. Williams) BG    13002
11 I WANT TO GO HOME (Trad.)    AS 102
12 OLD SHIP OF ZION (T.A. Dorsey) EG    61-2273
13 LET ME CROSS OVER (Trad. - arr. K. Woods Jr.) EG    61-2275
14 I WON’T BE BACK (J. Herndon) SC    SGC 6500
15 JESUS WILL SAVE (S. Caesar) SC    62-2890
16 TIRED (R. Davis) RD    SDS 6392
17 ONE MORE RIVER TO CROSS (Trad.) ER,LLR    CP-4825
18 HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW (C.H. Gabriel - C.D. Martin) ER,LLR    CP-4826
19 SHALL BE SAVED (R. Wallace) RW    SIG 6442
20 TAKE TIME TO BE HOLY (J. Marshall) JM    SOA-8-A
21 I’M GLAD ABOUT IT (I.A. Gibbs - K. Morris) IA    UV 11009
22 LAMB ON THE ALTAR (Trad.) MG    222
23 GET MY MANSION READY (S. Jenkins) SJ?    SJ 56436
24 MARY, WHAT YOU GONNA NAME THAT PRETTY LITTLE BABY (Trad.) MW,FS    62-2702

(1) Ward Singers: Clara Ward, Gertrude Ward, Willa Ward-Royster, Marion Williams, Frances Steadman, Kitty Parham (vo); with Clara Ward (p), unk. (o)(b)(dm)(tamb). NYC, 24/02/1958.
(2) Clara Ward Singers: Clara Ward, Gertrude Ward, Jessie Tucker, Dorothy Robinson, Mildred Means + unknown (vo); with Clara Ward (p), Sam Windom (Whinham) (g), David “Panama” Francis (dm). Live, Apollo Theatre, NYC, mid.-09/1959.
(3) Clara Ward with The Clara Ward Singers: same or similar (vo); with unk. (p)(o)(b)(dm). ca. 08/1960.
(4-5) Stars Of Faith: Marion Williams, Kitty Parham, Esther Ford ( soprano vo), Frances Steadman, Henrietta Waddy (contralto vo); with William Neal (p), Robert Banks (o), poss. Berisford “Shep” Shepherd (dm). Newark, NJ, 09/09/1958.
(6) Same, but Mattie Williams (Harper) replaces Ford; unk. (dm). Newark, 21/01/1960.
(7) Jewel Gospel Trio: Naomi Harrison, Maggie Staton, Canzetta (Candy) Staton, Sederia Boles, Shirley Boyd (vo); with unk. (p)(g)(b)(dm). ca. 1958.
(8) Original Gospel Harmonettes: Dorothy Love Coates, Mildred Miller Howard, Odessa Edwards, Willie Mae Newberry Garth, Vera Kolb (vo); with Joe Washington (p), unk. (o). 06/1958.
(9) Same; with Dorothy Love (p), Joe Washington (o), Gus Johnson (dm). NYC, 13/03/1959.
(10) Gospel Pearls with Bessie Griffin: Bessie Griffin (lead vo), Delores Addison, Jerry Moss, Patricia Bryant, Felma Johnson, Thelma Lewis (vo); with Eddie Lee Kendrix (p), Billy Preston (o), Bob West (b), Charles Blackwell (dm), Joe Clayton (cga). LA, ca. 1960.
(11) Drexall Singers: unknown vocal group; with unk. (p)(o)(g)(b)(dm). ca. 1961.
(12-13) Sallie Martin Singers: Sallie Martin, Edith Gary, Shirley Bell, Sarah Jordan Powell (vo); with unk. (p), Kenneth Woods Jr. (o) unk. (dm). Chicago, ca. 12/1961.
(14) Caravans: Albertina Walker, Cassietta George, Shirley Caesar, Delores Washington, Johneron Davis (vo); with James Herndon (p), unk. (o)(b)(dm)(tamb). 13/09/1962.
(15) Same, but Josephine Howard (alto vo) replaces Davis; unk. (celesta) added. ca. 12/1962.
(16) Famous Davis Sisters: Ruth Davis, Audrey Davis, Alfreda Davis, Imogene Greene (vo); with Curtis Dublin (p), unk. (o)(g)(dm). 23/05/1962.
(17-18) Meditations: Earnestine Rundless, Verline White (Rodgers?) (soprano vo), Laura Lee Rundless, Marie Waters (contralto vo), Cassietta George, Donna Hammond (vo); with unk. (p)(o)(dm). ca. 1961/62.
(19) Imperial Gospel Singers: Anna Smallwood, Rosie Wallace + unk. (vo); with unk. (p)(o)(dm)(tamb). 25/07/1962.
(20) Ingram Gospel Singers of Trenton, NJ: Bertha Bryant, Julia Marshall, Lola Mae Hardin (vo); with unk. (p)(o)(dm). Trenton, NJ, ca. 1960/61.
(21) Inez Andrews & The Andrewettes: Inez Andrews + unk. (vo); with (p)(o)(dm). ca. late 1962.
(22) Gospel Stars: Mae Gooch, Etta Gooch, Sandra Gooch, Elizabeth Davis (soprano vo), Lilian Woods, Lois Russell (contralto vo); with unk. (p)(o)(b)(dm). Detroit, MI, 03/1961.
(23) Sally Jenkins Singers: Sally Jenkins + unk. (vo); with unk. (p)(o)(dm). 18/07/1962.
(24) Marion Williams & The Stars Of Faith (Black Nativity): same as for (6); with Alberta Carter (p), Willie James McPhatter (o). NYC, 23/10/1962.