Search The Good Bad & Ugly Gospel Barn

Saturday, July 30, 2011

The Musical Suddards

O Say But I'm Glad
The Musical Suddards
S.O.S. Recording
SUD 101 LP

The Cathie Trio Sings Hymns Of Faith And Trust

Follow Me
The Cathie Trio Sings Hymns Of Faith And Trust
RPC Recorded Publications Company - Camden, NJ
AZB-24001

From the back cover: It was out privilege to sing for the protestant pavillion of the 1965 New York World's Fair, and more recently we appeared with the choral ensemble in a sacred musical by Duke Ellington and his band.

The notes were printed on a sheet of paper found fixed to the back cover with tape.

It's Not An Easy Road
I'd Rather Have Jesus
At Calvary
Take Your Burden To The Lord
Do You Know My Jesus
At The Cross
Sunshine Train
Follow Me

Friday, July 29, 2011

The Evangelistic Ambassadors Sing Inside The City

After All
The Evangelistic Ambassadors Sing Inside The City
Queen City Recording and Album - Cincinnati, Ohio
S101N2

The Ambassadors were Bill Singleton and Ada Stewart. Additional credit: David Sands - Lead Guitar, David Sands Jr. - Piano and Barbara Sands - Bass.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Kenny Felts Sings Tribute To Red Foley

The Touch Of Heaven
Kenny Felts Sings Tribute To Red Foley
Jewel Records LPS 180

Session musicians include: Dennis Hensley - Lead Guitar, Denny Rice - Piano, Jr. Bennett - Violins, Gene Lawson - Drums, Chester Barnett - Bass and Jr. Boyer - Steel Guitar. Background voices are credited to Chet Oliver Singers.

Red Foley was born down the road from my in Blue Lick, Kentucky. His music is known to have been inspirational to Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley. You can read more about Foley on his wiki page.

From the back cover: Kenny is very modest when discussing the remarkable resemblance of his singing style to that of Red Foley. While he greatly admires the work of the man he is paying tribute to; he is not in any sense of the word copying. This is his own natural style of singing.

The sample posted above, is one of three songs on this LP that Foley didn't record (according to the jacket notes).

Rusty York is credited as Recording Engineer.

Here is another Felts album I've blogged: Kenny Felts With The Starlighters.

Bill Durham Sings Your Requests

Redemption Draweth Nigh
Bill Durham Sings Your Requests
Artists Recording Co. - Cincinnati, Ohio - 760323

Session musicians include: Junior Spivey - Guitar, Denny Rice - Keyboard, Dave Bowman - Electric Bass and Tim Short - Drums.

Monday, July 25, 2011

On The Other Side Of The Jordan - The Bridges Quartet

Lights Of Home

On The Other Side Of The Jordan
The Bridges Quartet
Jewel Records - Cincinnati, Ohio
LPS 143
QCA - Queen City Album - Cincinnati, Ohio
90226

On The Other Side Of Jordan
I Want To Go Home
In The Great Beyond
Family Circle
I'm Almost Home
My Heart Can See
Going Up Home To Live In Green Pasture
I'm Glory Bound
Someone Is Waiting
Lights Of Home
Just For Me
I Don't Regret A Mile I've Traveled For The Lord

I'll Make It All Right - The Home Gate Quartet

Scars In The Hands Of Jesus
I'll Make It All Right
The Home Gate Quartet
Rose Records, Vandalia, Ohio - LPR 821
Rite Record - Cincinnati, Ohio - 37802

The Home Gate Quartet worked out of Dayton, Ohio.

Additional recordings by The Home Gate Quartet, as listed on the back cover include: Jesus Walked Upon The Water, Love Will Roll The Clouds Away, Don't Weaken The Wheel, We'll Talk It All Over Up There and Heaven Must Be A Wonderful Place.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Mother Left Me Her Bible To Show Me The Way - Esco Hankins

Stairway To Heaven
Mother Left Me Her Bible To Show Me The Way
Esco Hankins
REM Records - Lexington, Ky - LP 1006
Pressing by RCA Custom Division, USA
1963

This is a local record for me (living in Northern Kentucky as I do). Hankins also recorded for Rusty York/Jewel in Cincinnati, Ohio. Hankins wife, Jackie did backing vocals on this album.

From the back cover: On one hand Esco may be described as an attractive, black-haired, brown-eyed fellow who stands five-feet-nine and weighs one-forty. On the other hand he may be described in terms of his soft-spoken, mild-mannered, easy-going, pleasing disposition.

From a bio found on jukkajoutsi.com: The year 1963 saw Esco and his wife Jackie recording for Bob Mooney’s Rem Record label of Lexington, Kentucky. His initial release for the label was a 6 track EP album which contained the following recordings MOTHER LEFT ME HER BIBLE, MOTHER SLEEPS IN A LONELY GRAVE, JESUS PRAYED IN THE GARDEN FOR ME (these three recordings can also be found on (Rem RL-1006 “MOTHER LEFT ME HER BIBLE TO SHOW ME THE WAY”) released in 1963 and which was also re-released on (Old Homestead OHCS-309) with the same title and which was released in 1984. The other tracks on the EP are LIES AND ALIBIS, WITHOUT YOU and THAT’S IT (EP-504). He also recorded I’M IN HIS CARE, HE’LL BE THERE IN TIME, SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY, UNWORTHY LORD, THE POWER OF GOD, I’D LIKE TO THANK JESUS, FALL ON YOUR KNEES, STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN and BY THE CRYSTAL SEA. He also joined the WWVA Wheeling Jamboree during the year.

Hankins made his home at the end of his recording career in Lexington, KY. He worked as a deejay at various radio stations, operated his own music shop, The Esco Hankins Record Center and performer locally on Lexington's weekly gospel music program, The Revival Tabernacle.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Amazing Grace - The Melody-ettes

The First Million Years
Amazing Grace Has To Be My Favorite Song
The Melody-ettes
Rose Records - Vandalia, Ohio - LPR 602
Rite Record Productions - Cincinnati, Ohio - 36510

The Melody-ettes worked out of Englewood, Ohio.

Session musicians include: Rick Todd - Pedal Steel, Susie Bieker - Piano, Junior Allen - Rhythm Guitar and Rex Allen - Bass Guitar

Who Do I Know In Heaven - The Sunlighters

You're Home To Stay
Who Do I Know In Heaven
The Sunlighters
Golden Shield Records
Recorded And Manufactured by Rite Records - Cincinnati, Ohio
Sides 28457 & 28457

I'm Walking A New Road
The Next Step
Who Do I Know In Heaven
Hide Me, Rock Of Ages
He Restoreth My Soul
No Lock On My Mansion Door
I Know
God Walks The Dark Hills
You're Home To Stay
City Of Gold
Build My Mansion
Going Home

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

He Was Waiting At The Altar - Forest And Jean Combs

He Was Waiting At The Alter
He Was Waiting At The Altar
Forest And Jean Combs
Jewel Recording Studio - Cincinnati, Ohio
LP 108

I believe, from the jacket notes, that the Combs worked out of Newport, Kentucky.

This is a fine country gospel album. Session musicians include: Phil Miles - Electric Guitar, Kenny Felts - Bass, Rev. Joe Elliot - Electric Guitar, Denny Rice - Piano, Bob Teagarden - Drums and Ray Wilson - Steel Guitar. The album was engineered and produced by Rusty York.

Little Marcy And The Bible Story Book

The World's Saddest Day
Little Marcy And The Bible Story Book
Word Wonder World Series K-733
1975

Monday, July 18, 2011

Bluegrass Traditional And Contemporary - The Bluegrass Flyers

Bringing Mary Home
Bluegrass Traditional And Contemporary
The Bluegrass Flyers
Artist's Recording Co. - Cincinnati, Ohio
750158

This isn't a gospel album, but it is local (Cincinnati, Ohio) press and I recognize at least two of the artists as session musicians from a number of local gospel LPs that I've posted on this blog to include: Dennis Hensley - Banjo/Baritone, Don Mason - Guitar/Tenor, Roy Conner - Mandolin/Lead, Ron Cole - Bass/Bass and Junior Bennett - Fiddle

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Travlin' On With The Burtons

Those Nail Scarred Hands
Travlin' On With The Burtons
Rite Records - Cincinnati, Ohio
28051

Musicians include: Dan Burton - Piano, Grady Burton, Jr. - Electric Guitar, Chester Barnett - Bass, Andy Kunick - Drums and Junior Boyer - Steel Guitar

The Burtons worked out of Fairfield, Ohio (Cincinnati area).

I've blogged one other Burton LP titled Comin' On Strong. The youngest son of Grady Burton Jr., Dennis Burton, left an nice comment on that post that brings history to life.

There are a number of unique arrangements to be heard on this set. A few tracks are flavored with a touch of cowboy swing which is unusual for an album of this type and vintage.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

What A Day - The Jubilaires

Something I Can Feel

What A Day
The Jubilaires
Jewel Records - Cincinnati, Ohio
Jewel #739
1977

What A Day
Poor Rich Man
What A Lovely Name
I'll Have A New Life
One Day At A Time
Something I Can Feel
Scars In The Hands
I Believe Jesus
If You're Happy
One More Mountain

I Firmly Promise You - The New Haven Quartet

When I'm Sleeping In The Grave
I Firmly Promise You
The New Haven Quartet
Jewel Records LPS 415
Queen City Album 4122N14
1974

The New Haven Quartet worked out of Western Hills, Cincinnati Ohio. This was their first album.

Keepsake - Montgomery County Singing Convention

Ecthus Experience - Spread A Little Love Around
Keepsake
Montgomery County Singing Convention
MGMA 40511
Queen City Album - Cincinnati, Ohio

This is the Montgomery Convention's first album. The cover image is The Carrillon Bell Tower in Dayton, Ohio.

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Thank You For The Valley - The Harmony Four

The Third Man
Thank You For The Valley
The Harmony Four
Jewel Recording Studios - LPS 207

The Harmony Four worked out of Norwood, Ohio.

Musicians include: Kenny Roberts - Lead Guitar, Freddy Baird - Bass, Gene Smith - Organ, Ray Wilson - Steel Guitar & Hiram Andrews - Rhythm Guitar

Thank You For The Valley
I've Been Changed
Had It Not Been
It Won't Be Long
The Third Man
Somebody Touched Me
Farther Along
Across The Bridge
Give Up
That's The Way
At The Crossing
Just A Little Talk With Jesus

Jesus Is Always The Same - The Chapelaires

He Did Everything
Jesus Is Always The Same
The Chapelaires

On this set, The Chapelaires produced your basic gospel male harmonies with the exception of the "lounge" gospel tune featured above.

One More Day - The Gospel Trio Sings

One More Day
One More Day
The Gospel Trio Sings
Rite Record Productions - Cincinnati, Ohio
Sides #5792 & 32695

One More Day
Gettin' Ready To Leave This World
Because He Loved Me
Swing Wide The Gates
That's Just The Way
Because He Lives
One More River
I've Come Too Far To Look Back
I'll Soon Be Gone
I've Got My Heart Set On Heaven

They Said I Must Die - But God Had Other Plans

They Said I Must Die
But God Had Other Plans
Evangelist Cliff Hutchinson
Artist Recording Company - Cincinnati, Ohio
700905

According to a newspaper clipping, reproduced on the back cover, Hutchinson ran his vehicle into a moving train locomotive in 1957. He suffered severe head, chest and abdominal injuries. Other passengers in the car were less severely injured. Hutchinson requested that those people be taken to the hospital before him.

Hutchinson goes on to tell his story of not only the car wreck, but surviving bone cancer in 1939. There is also a reference in a second clipping on the back cover about surviving cancer several years prior to the 1957 accident.

The King's Highway - Ed Day And The Gospel Travelers

Six Hours On The Cross
The King's Highway
Ed Day And The Gospel Travelers
Melody Sound Studio - Hamilton, Ohio
Pine Tree Records - Hamilton, Ohio
PTSLP-521

Ed Day was from Okeana, Ohio. Group members are: Ed Day - Lead and Rhythm Guitar, Gilbert Grubb - Tenor and First Flat Top Guitar, Donald Meyer - Banjo, Ray Miller - Bass and Mandolin and Gregg Holland - Bass.

Victory Is Sweet - The Travelers

When I Look Back Down The Road
Victory Is Sweet
The Travelers
Jewel Records - Cincinnati, Ohio - JRC 83001

The Travelers are Jonie Campbell, Wanda Campbell and Tammy Bridges. This was their first album.

Rusty York, owner/operator of Jewel Records is credited with playing harmonica on this album.

Other musicians include: Bruce Andrews - Lead Gutiar, Paul Harkins - Bass, Wesley Bridges - Rhythm Guitar, Brenda Harkins - Piano, Tammy Bridges - Piano and Jr. Bennett - Strings.

The Travelers worked out of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Sunday Festival - Ron Gunter

Sunday Festival
Ron Gunter
Jewel Records - Cincinnati, Ohio - LPS 258
Queen City Album - Cincinnati, Ohio
11215

From the back cover: One side two, I invited my sister Patti, and a group of vocal artists to add a touch of variety to the album. Included are singer - friends Karen Angel, Milda Croswait, Tammy Olive and Audie Weber.

This is a one of those rare albums by a group of people who just wanted to make a record for the fun of it. They didn't seem the least bit concerned about crafting a sound that would fit into gospel audio trends of the day.

The results aren't good, bad or ugly... just crazy fun.

Talking About A Good Time - Bobby Grove

Talking About A Good Time
Bobby Grove
Oak Records LP 170
Queen City Album - Cincinnati, Ohio
10732

I've blogged a number of Bobby Grove albums here in The Gospel Barn. I resist pitting the quality of one artist against another, because all artists offer something special to the art form. But out of all the local artists I've blogged, Grove's recordings consistently offer the highest or most "commercial" quality sound. Meaning, I think Grove had the best chance out of all the local artists, working during the time period, of reaching a wider audience if he had found a home on a label.

It is interesting to note mention of The Bobby Grove Record Club on the back cover. Apparently Grove was producing an album every 60 days during this time as part of this promotion.

But what may be of most interest is that Grove is still active, unlike so many of his peers, and held on to his stock of records. You can still purchase actual vinyl from him through his website: http://www.bobbygrove.org/catalog_LP.html

Bobby Grove Sings - It Was For You

Bobby Grove
It Was For You
King Records, Cincinnati, Ohio
831

Here is another Bobby Grove record, this time with a King Records brand on the cover. It is interesting to note the the label on the record is not a King Label, but, once again the Harrison, Ohio label, Oak Records. The label and jacket catalog numbers match.

There is a killer rockabilly number on this record called There Ain't No Grave To Hold My Body Down.

Bobby Grove apparently saved NOS of his records and offers many of them (with the exception of this one) on his website. It's cool that you can order a record from the original artist.

http://www.bobbygrove.org/catalog_LP.html

Amazing Grace - The Kings Quartet 4

Amazing Grace
Amazing Grace
The Kings Quartet 4
Cardinal Recording Studio CR KF 100

The Kings Four Quartet worked out of Charlestown, Indiana.

Friday, July 8, 2011

Sweeter Gets The Journey - The Synan Family

Oh Come, Angel Band
Sweeter Gets The Journey
The Synan Family
Benson Sound Studio LPS 115

The Synan Family worked out of Richmond, Virginia. They recorded this album in one night while stopped on tour in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The jacket image was taken at The Will Rodgers Flower Garden in Oklahoma City.

Because He Lives - The Ambassador's

Because He Lives
The Ambassador's
Rose Records LPR 710
Rite Record Production - Cincinnati, Ohio

Sorry, no sample. Sadly, the record found inside the jacket wasn't the Ambassador vinyl.

The Ambassador's worked out of Middletown, Ohio.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Living In Canaan Now - The North Family

The Lighthouse
Living In Canaan Now (Full Album)
Living In Canaan Now
The North Family
Artist Records - Cincinnati, Ohio
720603

The North Family worked out of Mt. Orab Ohio.