Sunday morning gospel: Popular Gospel Aires by the Keller-York Quartet

I'm almost positive that this one was found for me by Diane Werts. And you should be checking out her Christmas TV listings--apparently, holiday fare is already on the air, so don't beware; be of good chair! I mean, cheer. Yes, sir, the holiday comes earlier every year (said the blogger with the "Merry Christmas" image at his site). Of course, we say that every year.

So... very, very good gospel by the Keller-York Quartet. From the LP essay: "Charles York and Norman Keller formed a gospel duet team shortly after World War II. In their travels they met the members of the Rushing family who were also working in the field of evangelism. Soon after, two of the Rushing sisters became Mrs. Keller and Mrs. York in a double wedding ceremony. They formed the present Keller-York quartet and traveled many thousands of miles presenting the Gospel in music." Now you know.

Though attributed on the label to "Le Feure" (did they mean Le Fevre?),the gospel standard Keep on the Firing Line was written by Bessie F. Hatcher in 1915. I had to do a little Google-hopping (Google-hopping?) to discover this, but what's a PC for? Like many a standard hymn, Firing Line shows up on line under the names of the performers who recorded it--Ralph Stanley, Jerry Lee Lewis, et al. (et al.'s version is kind of alt rock.) And it's mentioned at the blog Songs Fundies Like, where it receives little love in the comment section. But this mainline Protestant agrees with the "fundies"--this is one fine song.

And this is one fine playlist. Click here to hear: Keller-York Quartet--Popular Gospel Aires

POPULAR GOSPEL AIRES--THE KELLER-YORK QUARTET

LET ME BE WORTHY
IF YOU DESIRE
CLIMB THOSE GOLDEN STAIRS
HE KNOWS JUST WHAT I NEED
JUST KEEP ON PRAYING
JESUS, SAVIOR, PILOT ME
KEEP ON THE FIRING LINE
HE WASHED MY EYES WITH TEARS
THE HEALING TOUCH
SINGING
JESUS SIGNED MY PARDON
WHERE NO ONE STANDS ALONE

(Zondervan Victory 524)

Lee

Me, in my younger, Navy days.

At this post from last year, you can see me in my younger, leaner Navy days.

I even have a moderate amount of hair atop my head in the last one.




Lee

The Trumpeter (1929)

(Text borrowed from this excellent site)

THE TRUMPETER (Text: J. Francis Barron; music: J. Airlie Dix, 1904)

Trumpeter, what are you sounding now?
(Is it the call I'm seeking?)
"You'll know the call," said the Trumpeter tall,
"When my trumpet goes a-speakin'.
I'm rousin' 'em up;
I'm wakin' 'em up,
The tents are astir in the valley,
And there's no more sleep with the sun's first peep,
For I'm soundin' the old 'Reveille!'"

Trumpeter, what are you sounding now?
(Is it the call I'm seeking?)
"Can't mistake the call," said the Trumpeter tall,
"When my trumpet goes a-speakin'.
I'm urgin' 'em on,
They're scamperin' on,
There's a drummin' of hoofs like thunder.
There's a madd'nin' shout as the sabres flash out,
For I'm sounding the 'Charge' no wonder."

Trumpeter, what are you sounding now?
(Is it the call I'm seeking?)
"Lucky for you if you hear it at all
For my trumpet's but faint in speakin',
I'm callin' 'em home! Come home! Come home!
Tread light o'er the dead in the valley,
Who are lyin' around face down to the ground,
And they can't hear me sound the 'Rally'.
But they'll hear it again in a grand refrain,
When Gabriel sounds the last 'Rally'."

The closing hymn is O God of Love, O King of Peace (1861) to the tune of Rockingham.

Click here to hear: The Trumpeter (Barron-Dix)--Raymond Newell (1929)

Lee

Salute to the original American warriors

For this Vets Day, two pieces by the "Indianist" composer Charles Sanford Skilton (1868-1941). These are from a 78 rpm reissue (or, rather, later issue) of a 1929 Victor release, and it's in way better shape than my previous, original issue copy. Incredible performances, incredible pieces--the Victor Concert Orch., directed by Rosario Bourdon, with War Dance (Cheyenne) (from Suite Primeval) and Shawnee Indian Hunting Dance. Here's to the original American warriors:

War Dance; Shawnee Indian Hunting Dance

Victor Concert Orchestra, directed by Rosario Bourdon, 1929. From Victor 22144.

Lee