THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO SHREVEPORT (1931-2000)
Compiled in December 2016, liner notes revised September 2019.
Sacred songs recorded in Shreveport, sacred songs by Shreveporters, sacred songs on Shreveport record labels.
Listen online: https://www.mixcloud.com/shreveportsongs/the-gospel-according-to-shreveport-1931-2000/
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1 LEADBELLY Hallelujah (1940)
Raised in and now resting at Shiloh Baptist Church (Mooringsport, La.). The “King of the Twelve-String Guitar”...acapella.
2 JIMMIE DAVIS Down At The Old Country Church (Victor 23628, 1931)
“When the Saints Go Marching In” + recitation + Jimmie Davis falsetto + memorable guitar playing by Ed “Dizzy Head” Schaffer.
3 HANK WILLIAMS, KITTY WELLS, AND JOHNNIE WRIGHT Dear Brother (1948)
While employed by KWKH radio station and the Louisiana Hayride, three musicians collaborated on this demo recording. Later, Hank and Audrey Williams recorded a version.
4 REV. UTAH SMITH AND CONGREGATION Glory To Jesus I'm Free (Two Wing Temple, 1947)
Raised in the Cedar Grove neighborhood, and buried at Carver Memorial Cemetery. A raucous recording with his New Orleans congregation.
5 THE BAILES BROTHERS I Need The Prayers (circa 1948)
From their morning radio show on KWKH. Upcoming performances at Shreveport’s Municipal Memorial Auditorium and nearby high schools.
6 THE WILBURN FAMILY Will You Be Ready (To Wear A Golden Crown) (4 Star 1522, 1950)
Regulars on Shreveport’s radio airwaves from 1949 to 1951. First employed by KTBS, then KWKH and the Louisiana Hayride.
7 WILLIE CASTON AND THE EVER READY GOSPEL SINGERS One Of These Mornings (Abbott 158, 1954)
Perhaps Shreveport’s longest-running gospel group (mid-1940s to mid-2000s). Lead vocal by Robert Broussard.
8 JACKSON GOSPEL SINGERS Old Ship Of Zion (Jackson Gospel Singers 103, circa 1955)
From 1945 to 1957, Rev. Anderson Samuel Jackson Jr. pastored Mount Canaan Baptist Church. Around this time, he also hosted a radio show on KENT and released this record.
9 MARY EVELYN KENNEDY Dear Jesus, Abide With Me (Grace Tabernacle 258, circa 1965)
A girl and an accordion. Recorded at Grace Tabernacle.
10 SPIRITUAL HARMONIZERS Meet Me In The City (Custom Sound 141, circa 1970)
Lead vocal by Rev. Arlandus Green. Group from Minden, La.
11 THE AMBASSADORS, SHREVEPORT, LA. It's Me (Hosanna 1002, circa 1970)
Written by member Tommie Nash. Group also known as the Mighty Ambassadors.
12 BELLS OF TONE Come And Go With Me (Custom Sound 156, circa 1970)
Lead vocal by George Bridges.
13 HUMMINGBEES Bleeding Heart (Memorial 1-11, 1973)
Lead vocal by Eddie Bennett.
14 DOROTHY WHITEHEAD Jesus, Just Jesus (Hy Sign 711, 1973)
Powerful song by this mystery screamer.
15 FIVE GOSPLE WRITERS This World Is Drunk (Memorial 1-22, 1974)
Written and lead vocal by Herbert Campbell. Lyrics address: drinking, Daniel in the lions’ den, dope peddling, and streaking. From Bastrop, La.
16 FIVE ECHO'S OF HARMONY OF SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA Fix Me Jesus (BLB 1202, circa 1975)
Written by member Ed Fleming. Released by Brady L. Blade Sr.
17 ROCKS OF HARMONY OF SHREVEPORT, LA. In The Care Of The Lord (Hosanna 8032, circa 1975)
Written by member J. Reed.
18 ESSIE LEE HAYES I'm Working For The Lord (Custom Sound 180, circa 1975)
Written and sung by Essie Lee Hayes. Recorded at Sound City Studios.
19 BRO. ELIE TAYLOR, JR. Stay With Me Jesus (DRP 3607, circa 1980)
“The Man With The Organ.” “The Fantastic Gospel Warrior” from Minden, La.
20 THE SENSATIONAL JONES SINGERS All He Was Doing (Kingdom 94-52, circa 1980)
Gospel funk punctuated with keyboards.
21 THE MOORE SINGERS Lord I Tried (Custom Sound 344, circa 1980)
Written by Iugustus Moore Jr. Recorded at Southern Star Studios.
22 REVEREND JOE BATTLE AND “THE GOSPEL EXPLOSION” When The Saints Go Marching In (Custom Sound 304, circa 1980)
Rev. Battle plays organ on this recording from Southern Star Studios.
23 THE IMPERIAL GOSPEL SINGERS The Lord Will Make Away (Custom Sound 351, circa 1980)
Recorded at Southern Star Studios.
24 SPIRITUAL TRAVELERS You Better Change Your Ways (Custom Sound 357, circa 1980)
Written and lead vocals by James Jones. Recorded at Southern Star Studios.
25 ARTEE L. PHILYAW Life Must Go On With Me (Gospel Sound’s Recording Co., 2000)
“Mr. Gospel Explosion” sang with the Echoes of Zion in the 1940s, worked as a radio announcer on KANB and KIOU, and released his own recordings. Since 2008, life has been going on without Philyaw.