It's been a year or so since I've devoted a post to this terrific gospel singing group--so, here they are again, with the addition of two 1934 titles on the Montgomery Ward label (which, I'm guessing, are Bluebird label reissues). Note that Montgomery Ward credits them as "Smith Sacred Singers," thus saving money on the "'s." The 1934 Pictures sounds remarkably like their 1926 smash-hit version, though it's neither the same nor an alternate take.
The other titles on our playlist are repeats, though (as ever) in new rips. Sound quality runs the gamut from outstanding to yikes! and somewhere in between. If I were more awake, I'd probably have more to say about these, but I'm not.
Oh, except that Gospel Waves reminds me a great deal of R.E. Winsett's Jesus Is Coming Soon, which in turn reminds me of George Harrison's I Got My Eyes Set on You. Maybe that was better left unshared.
To the tunes:
To the 78s: Smith's Sacred Singers--12 sides (1926-1934)
PLAYLIST (SMITH'S SACRED SINGERS)
PICTURES FROM LIFE'S OTHER SIDE, Montgomery Ward M-4804, 1934.
WHEN THEY RING THE GOLDEN BELLS, Same.
LIFE'S RAILWAY TO HEAVEN, Columbia 15159-D, 1927.
JESUS PRAYED--Same, 1926.
MY LATEST SUN IS SINKING FAST (ANGEL BAND)--Columbia 15281-D, 1928.
PREPARE TO MEET THY GOD--Same.
HE WILL SET YOUR FIELDS ON FIRE--Columbia 15144-D, 1927.
I WILL SING OF MY REDEEMER--Same.
THE HOME OVER THERE--Columbia 15329-D, 1928.
DELIVERANCE WILL COME (PALMS OF VICTORY)--Columbia 15329-D, 1928.
GOSPEL WAVES--Columbia 15208-D, 1927
HE BORE IT ALL--Same.
Lee
6 comments:
"Electrically recorded" -- I love it!
Good evening, Lee!
And thank you for the shellac; been looking forward to some more of it from your near-bottomless (backless?) vault... and as always, you simply fail to disappoint. Good ones (and moist brownie for the new rips, too)!
You mention MAGIX in your earlier post (Elliott Everett); could you sometime share some more about this program? I think you did a good while back, but still for some of the new(er)bies.
No reason you should give away your tricks of the trade, either, of course - maybe just some tips and a few options for those of us itchin' to get our own vinyl (or even shellac) into dig-it-all form. (Not to mention - except I am - our tapes, too.)
Thank you most kindly, sir, and happy Memorial Day!
Michael
Maryland
My first reaction was that the group was a bit amateurish, but the nice arrangements quickly won me over. Nice interplay on the harmonies. I especially like "He Will Set Your Fields On Fire."
Sumogrrl--
Yup, that was the latest in audio innovations at one point--though 1934 was a little late to be bragging about it. Sign of a budget label!
Michael,
Sure, I can do another MAGIX overview. I should mention that I accidentally did all these rips with the LP (RIAA) curve on my preamp, but it doesn't seem to have hurt the sound. Quite the reverse. The Columbias in this series have a very natural response curve, leading me to think they didn't eq the sound very much. Plus, being vocal and guitar, mostly, the freq. range is nicely limited.
Ted,
I know what you mean--expertly gruff is what I'd call it. It reminds me of Carl Story's rough harmonizing (he does the ultimate version of "Fields on Fire," you might know). I love the way they shout away. It's tempting to think they were influenced a lot by shape-note singing.
Howdy Lee! Long time no write, I know, but, nevertheless, I've been downloadin'. Thanks for these! Around 20 years ago, a friend of mine, put I know, at least three of these on tape for me, but it got eaten by a hungry deck! I've been lookin' for a long time for 'em! I just love these interpretations! Great stuff! Oh, yeah, concerning the Father of Bluegrass Gospel Music, I just love the way Story goes to Bass on "Fields!"
BTW, I bought the Columbia Pictures, not too long ago, from a local thrift store. Don't have anything to play it on, at present, but, it's here, anyway.
Well, thanks and keep it up!
Between Gulf of Mexico oil spills and Mediterranean blood spills, I really needed this music. This group did gospel as well as any that ever existed. I never cease to be amazed and moved by these records? Are there no more to be found?
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