Essays & Articles

“Fatted Calf’s Blues – The First Golden Age”
(African American Gospel & Sacred Songs : 1902-1942) – by Max Haymes

Discography

1 Ain’t No Grave Can Hold My Body Down
(L Of C)		 Bozie Sturdivant Bozie Sturdivant vocal; acc. Silent Grove Baptist Church Congregation moaning; unacc Saturday, 25 July 1942. Clarksdale, Mississippi.
[6639-B-1 (a)]
2 The Beautiful Lamp Silver Leaf Quartet of Norfolk Silver Leaf Quartet(te) of Norfolk: Melvin Smith 1st. ten. & lead vocal; William Thatch falsetto vocal; William Boush bari. vocal; Ellis McPherson bass vocal; unacc. Thursday, 27 February 1930. New York City.
[403783-A]
3 Prayer of Death – Pt. 1 Charley Patton Charley Patton vocal, guitar, preaching. Friday, 14 June. Richmond, Indiana.
[15225–]
4 Prayer of Death – Pt. 2 Charley Patton As for 3.
5 I’ve Got The Key To The Kingdom Washington Phillips Washington Phillips vocal, dolceola. Monday, 2 December 1929. Dallas, Texas.
[149501-1]
6 After The Ball Is Over Rev. A. W. Nix Rev. A.W. Nix preaching; vocal responses Thursday, 30 June 1927. Chicago, Illinois.
[C-1019/20; E-6177/78W]
7 Wade In The Water Birmingham Jubilee Singers Birmingham Jubilee Singers: Charles Bridges leader; Leo ‘Lot’ Key ten. vocal; Dave Ausbrooks bari. vocal; Ed Sherrill bass vocal; unacc. Thursday, 20 March 1930. Atlanta, [ATL-940-]
8 Dark Was The Night, Cold Was The Ground Blind Willie Johnson Blind Willie Johnson moaning, speech, guitar. Saturday, 3 December 1927. Dallas ,Texas.
[145320-1]
9 I’ll Go Where You Want Me To Go Arizona Dranes Arizona Dranes vocal, piano; several females vocal. Tuesday, 3 July 1928. Chicago, Illinois.
[400984 -A,-B]
10 My Soul Is A Witness To The Lord Arizona Dranes Arizona Dranes vocal, piano; Sara Martin vocal; Richard M. Jones vocal Thursday, 17 June 1926. Chicago, Illinois.
[9740-A]
11 The Royal Telephone Sister Mary M. Nelson Sister Mary Nelson vocal; John Davis vocal; Clarence Nelson vocal; unacc. Thursday, 21 April 1927. Chicago, Illinois.
[C766/67; E-5114/5W;
E-22695/96]
12 How Much I Owe For Love Devine Elder Richard Bryant Elder Richard Bryant’s Sanctified Singers: one male vocal; poss. Bessie Johnson vocal; two females vocal; unk. harmonica; unk. mandolin; unk. guitar; unk. washboard; unk. jug. Tuesday, 8 February 1928. Memphis, Tennessee.
[400370-B]
13 Lord, Lord, He Sure Is Good To Me Elder Richard Bryant As for 12.
[400371-B]
14 Blessed Are The Poor In Spirit Luther Magby Luther Magby vocal; unk. organ; unk. tambourine. Friday, 11 November 1927. Atlanta, Georgia.
[145216-2]
15 Warming By The Devil’s Fire Rev. Johnny Blakey Rev. Johnny Blakey preaching, vocal; assisted by The Sanctified Singers: Bessie Johnson vocal; poss. Lonnie McIntorsh guitar; unk. tambourine. Thursday, 6 December 1928. Chicago, Illinois.
[402183-B]
16 The Great Change In Me Blind Gary Davis Blind Gary Davis vocal, preaching, guitar. Friday, 26 July 1935. New York City.
[17894-1]
17 You Got To Go Down Blind Gary Davis As for 16.
[17892-1]
18 Jesus Is My Aeroplane Mother McCollum Mother McCollum vocal; unk. guitar; unk. guitar. c. mid-June 1930. Chicago, Illinois.
[C-5843 -]
19 I’m Tormented In The Flame Biddleville Quintette Biddleville Quintette: prob. four unk. males vocal; unk. female vo.; unacc. c. 1 August 1929. New York City.
[GEX-2294-A]
20 Dip In The Beautiful Stream Biddleville Quintette As for 19.
[GEX-2295 -]
21 Jubilee Keaton Sextette Keaton Sextett: mixed vocal group unacc. Monday, 10 October 1927. Atlanta, Georgia.
[81742-A]
22 From The Pit To The Throne Rev. J. M. Gates Rev. J.M. Gates preaching, vocal; prob. Sister Jordan speech, vocal; prob. Sister Norman speech, vocal; prob. Deacon Leon Davis speech, vocal; unacc. Friday, 21 October 1927. Atlanta, Georgia.
[40327-2]
23 Woke Up This Morning Roosevelt Graves and Brother Roosevelt Graves And Brother: Blind Roosevelt Graves vocal, prob. guitar; Uaroy (Leroy?) Graves vocal, prob. tambourine. Thursday, 16 July  1936. Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
[HAT-113-2]
24 I Can Tell The World About This Laura Henton Laura Henton vocal; Bennie Moten piano; Eddie Durham guitar; Joe Page brass bass. Early November 1929. Kansas City, Missouri.
[KC-580 -]
25 I’m Gonna Cross The River Of Jordan Jaybird Coleman & Ollis Martin Jaybird Coleman vocal, harmonica; poss. Ollis Martin harmonica. Friday, 5 August 1927. Birmingham, Alabama.[GEX-775-A]
26 True Friendship Rev. J.C. Burnett Rev. J.C. Burnett vocal, speech; Sister Ethel Grainger vocal, speech;  Sister Odette Jackson vocal, speech; Thomas ‘Fats’ Waller organ. Tuesday, 17 May New York City.
[144164-2]
27 Sleep On Mother, Sleep On Lonnie McIntorsh Lonnie McIntorsh vocal, guitar. Tuesday, 31 January 1928. Memphis, Tennessee.
[41807-1]
28 He’s Got Better Things For You Memphis Sanctified Singers Memphis Sanctified Singers: Bessie Johnson vocal; B. Taylor vocal; Sally Sumler vocal; Will Shade guitar Tuesday, 21 October 1929. Memphis, Tennessee.
[56321-2]
29 Come Let Us Eat Together Rev. E.D. Campbell Rev. E.D. Campbell preaching, vocal; Sister Watkins vocal, speech, moaning; Sister Dunlap vocal, speech, moaning; Brother Griffin vocal, speech, moaning; unacc. Saturday, 26 February 1927. Memphis, Tennessee.
[37957-2]
30 So High St. Mark’s Chanters St. Mark’s Chanters: James Gayles 1st.ten. vocal; Thomas Phillips 2nd. ten. vocal; Walter Buckner bari. vocal; Nelson McBride bass vocal; unacc. Tuesday, 13 April 1926. New Orleans, Louisiana.
[142011-1]
31 Denomination Blues – Pt. 1 Washington Phillips Washington Phillips vocal, dolceola. Monday, 5 December, 1927. Dallas, Texas.
[145330-1]
32 Denomination Blues – Pt. 2 Washington Phillips As for 31.
[145331-2]
33 Your Enemy Cannot Harm You Rev. Edward Clayborn Rev. Edward Clayborn vocal, guitar. Wednesday, 8 December 1926. New York City.
[E-4186/87W]
34 He Locked  The Lion’s Jaw Famous Myers Jubilee Singers Famous Myers Jubilee Singers: vocal group; unacc. c. May 1928. Chicago, Illinois.
[20599-2]
35 Prayer Meeting And Sermon Rev. J.Forest Rev. J.F. Forest preaching; congregation responses; unacc. c. 21 August 1927. Birmingham, Alabama.[GEX-836 –]
36 Moaner Let’s Go Down In The Valley Delta Big Four Delta Big Four: Wheeler Ford lead vocal; Ivory Lou ‘Pecan’ Allen ten. vocal; Will Mosely  bari. vocal; Archie Smith bass vocal; unacc. c. 25 May 1930. Grafton, Wisconsin.
[L-313-3]
37 The Old Time Religion The Tuskegee Quartet Tuskegee Quartet: Alvin J. Neely lead ten. vocal; Leroy Brown ten. vocal; Nathaniel McCray bari. vocal; William Wiley bass vocal; unacc. Saturday, 29 January 1927. Camden, New Jersey.
[16517 -]
38 Steal Away To Jesus The Tuskegee Quartet As for 37.
[15172-7]
39 Rock Of Ages Blind Willie Davis Blind Willie Davis vocal, guitar. c. May 1928. Chicago, Illinois.
[20568-2]
40 Memphis Flu Elder Curry & Congregation Elder Curry vocal, guitar; acc. His Congregation: Elder Charles Beck piano; Jo Ann Williams lead vocal. Tuesday, 16 December 1930. King Edward Hotel. Jackson, Mississippi.
[404748-B]
41 Oh Death Pace Jubilee Singers Pace Jubilee Singers: prob. Hattie Parker vocal; unk. soprano vocal; unk. alto vocal; unk. bari. vocal; unk. bass vocal; unk. piano. Monday, 13 June 1927. Chicago, Illinois.
[38680 -]
42 Oh Death Patton & Lee Patton & Lee: Charley Patton vocal, guitar; Bertha Lee vocal. Wednesday, 31 January 1934. New York City.
[14749-3]
43 Lead Me To The Rock Golden Eagle Gospel Singers Golden Eagle Gospel Singers: prob. Josephine Tillman vocal; prob. M. Person bari. vocal; prob. M. Mine bari. vocal; prob. A. Thomas vocal; prob. Leandrew Wauford bass vocal; unk. guitar; unk. tambourine. Tuesday, 4 June 1940. Chicago, Illinois.
[93017-A]
44 Shake Mother’s Hand For Me Golden Eagle Gospel Singers As for 43. Prob. Leandrew Wauford harmonica.
[91859-A]
45 I Want To Be Like Jesus In My Heart Sam Collins Sam Collins vocal, guitar. Friday, 26 August 1927. Richmond, Indiana.
[13036 –]
46 Jonah In The Belly Of The Whale Rev. F.W. McGee Rev. F.W. McGee preaching, vocal piano; four females vocal; unk. cornet; unk. guitar; unk. mandolin; unk. bass. Tuesday, 7 June 1927. Chicago, Illinois.
[38650-1]
47 Women’s Clothes (You Can’t Hide) Rev. F.W. McGee Rev. F.W. McGee preaching, vocal, piano; five females vocal; three males vocal; unk. trombone; unk. guitar; unk. drums. Wednesday 23 October 1929. Chicago, Illinois.
[57307-2]
48 Swing Low Sweet Chariot Fisk Jubilee Quartet Fisk University Jubilee Quartet: John Wesley Work II 1st. ten. vocal; James Andrew Myers 2nd/ ten. vocal; Alfred Garfield King 1st. bass. vocal; Noah Walker Ryder 2nd. bass vocal; unacc. Wednesday, 1 December 1909. Camden, New Jersey.
[8420-3]
49 Roll Jordan Roll Fisk Jubilee Quartet As for 48. Tuesday, 21 December 1909. Camden, New Jersey.
[8452-2]
50 Go Where I Send Thee Heavenly Gospel Singers Heavenly Gospel Singers: Roosevelt Fenoy lead vocal;; Arthur Lee ‘Bob’ Beatty ten. vocal; Henderson Massey bari. vocal; Jimmy Bryant bass vocal; unacc. Wednesday, 26 January 1938. Charlotte, North Carolina.
[ 018723-1]
51 So High I Can’t Get Over Heavenly Gospel Singers As for 50.
[018726-1]
52 Way Down In Egyptland Birmingham Jubilee Singers Birmingham Jubilee Singers: Charles Bridges leader; Lee “Lot” Key ten. vocal: Dave Ausbrooks bari. vocal; Ed Sherrill bass vocal; unacc. Thursday, 20 March 1930. Atlanta, Georgia.
[ATL-943 -]
53 My Father Is A Husbandman Joshua White Joshua White vocal, guitar. Friday, 24 November 1933. New York City.
[14376-1]
54 Lord, I Want To Die Easy Joshua White As for 53.
[14375-2]
55 Trouble ‘Bout My Soul Frank Palmes Frank Palmes vocal, harmonica. c. September 1929. Chicago, Illinois.
[21413-2]
56 The Hand Of The Lord Was Upon Me (And I Went Out In The Spirit) Rev. Jim Beal Rev. Jim Beal preaching; unk. mixed group of five vocal; unacc. Saturday, 24 August 1929. Chicago, Illinois.
[C-4163 -]
57 Honey In The Rock Blind Mamie Forehand Blind Mamie Forehand vocal, finger cymbals/ bells; A.C. Forehand guitar. Monday, 28 February 1927. Memphis, Tennessee.
[3796-1]
58 Down On The Old Camp Ground Dinwiddie Colored Quartet Dinwiddie Colored Quartet: Prob. Sterling Rex 1st. ten. vocal; J. Clarence Meredith2nd. ten. vocal; Harry B. Cruder 1st. bass vocal; ? Manstell 2nd. bass vocal; unacc. Wednesday, 29 October 1902. New York City.
[1714 –]
59 Get On Board Clara Smith Clara Smith vocal; Ethel Grainger vocal; Odette Jackson vocal; (as ‘Sisters White and Wallace”) Porter Grainger piano. Tuesday 23 November 1926. New York City.
[143143-1]
60 Livin’ Humble Clara Smith As for 59.
[143142-2]
61 Memory Of Departed Friends Rev. James Beard Rev. James Beard vocal; unacc. c. January 1927. Chicago, Illinois.
[4134-1]
62 Have Mercy On Me Rev. Benny Campbell Rev. Benny Campbell preaching, vocal; poss. three unk. females & two males vocal responses (“Meetin’ House In Dixie”); unacc. Tuesday, 8 November 1938. Columbia, South Carolina.
[SC-113-1]
63 The Book Of The Seven Seals Alphabetical Four Alphabetical Four: poss. Emory Johnson vocal, manager; poss. Curtis Brown ten vocal;  poss. Asker Short or Johnny Pierce bari. vocal; poss. ?  Lockwood bass vocal; unacc.  (these artists are all in this group but not necessarily all are on this  recording) Thursday, 25 January 1940. New York City.
[67118-A]
64 Will The Circle Be Unbroken Alphabetical Four As for 63.  ‘Isaac’; unk. vocal effects; added. Tuesday, 16 August 1938. New York City.
[64453 –]
65 Shepherd Go Feed My Sheep Alphabetical Four As for 63. Monday, 7April 1941. New York City.
[68941-A]
66 Jesus Is A Mighty Good Leader Skip James Skip James vocal, guitar. c. February 1931. Grafton, Wisconsin.
[L-754-1]
67 Oh Link, Oh Link Evening Four Evening Four: Unk. male vocal quartet unacc Tuesday, 16 February 1937. Charlotte, North Carolina.
[07086-1]
68 Bad Conditions The Carolinians Carolineans: Male vocal quartet including William ‘Highpockets’ Langford lead ten. vocal;. poss. Robert ‘Peg’ Ford bass vocal; unacc. Tuesday, 27 September 1938. Rock Hill, South Carolina.
[027762-1]
69 You Gonna Need Somebody On Your Bond Blind Willie Johnson Blind Willie Johnson vocal, guitar; Willie B. Richardson vocal. Sunday, 20 April 1930. Atlanta, Georgia.
[150316-2]
70 John The Revelator Blind Willie Johnson As for 69.
[150315-2]
71 Gabriel Elder Beck Elder Charlie Beck vocal, piano. Friday, 19 December 1930. King Edward Hotel. Jackson, Mississippi.
[404790-B]
72 Drinking Shine Elder Beck Elder Charles Beck vocal, trumpet; unk. piano; around six females vocal. Wednesday, 19 July 1939. New York City.
[038295-1]
73 Jezebel Golden Gate Quartet Golden Gate Quartet: Willie Johnson bari. vocal/leader; Henry Owens 1st. ten. vocal; Clyde Riddick 2nd. ten. vocal; Orlandus ‘Dad’ Wilson bass vocal; unk. drums. Friday, 18 April 1941. New York City.
[30283-2]
74 He Never Said A Mumblin’ Word Golden Gate Quartet As for 73. Omit drums. Wednesday, 3 December 1941. New York City.
[31850-1]
75 The Storm Is Passing Over Blind Joe Taggart Blind Joel Taggart vocal, guitar. Thursday, 30 June 1927. Chicago, Illinois.
[C-1011/12; E-6181/82W]
76 God’s Gonna Separate The Wheat From The Tares Blind Joe Taggart As for 75.
[C-1013/14; E-6183/84W]
77 Damnation Train Rev. J.M. Milton Rev. J.M. Milton preaching, moaning, speech; two unk. females vocal, speech; unk. male vocal, speech; unacc. Tuesday, 5 November 1929. Atlanta, Georgia.
[149371-2]
78 A Rope Or A Wire Around Your Neck Rev. J.M. Milton As for 77.
[149376-2]
79 Abraham, Have Mercy On Me Rev. William Ransom Rev. William Ransom preaching, vocal; Sister Callie Hunter vocal, speech; Sister Pauline Tidwell vocal, speech; Brother William Christopher vocal, speech; unacc. Monday, 21 February 1927. Atlanta, Georgia.
[37935-2]
80 On My Knees Bethel Quartet Bethel Quartet: Norman Chestang, W.W. Coleman ten. vocal; B. McCants bari. vocal; Robert Joseph bass vocal; unacc. Thursday, 28 September 1928. Memphis, Tennessee.
[47070-1]
81 Let The Church Roll On Cornfed Four Cornfed Four: Male vocal quartet; including poss. Alex Lovejoy vocal; unacc. Thursday, 6 November 1930. New York City.
[404527-A,-B]
82 Lead Me All The Way Sam Collins Sam Collins vocal, guitar. Friday, 26 August 1927. Richmond, Indiana.
[13037 –]
83 I Don’t Want No Trouble At The River Rev. J.C. Burnett Rev. J.C. Burnett preaching; either prob. Sister Ethel Grainger or Sister Odette Jackson vocal responses; unacc. Monday, 14 October 1929. New York City.
[149139-2]
84 I Believe I’ll Go Back Home Blind Willie Davis Blind Willie Davis vocal, guitar. c. October 1929. Grafton, Wisconsin.
[L-113-1]
85 The Alphabet Of The Bible Royal Harmony Singers Royal Harmony Singers (The Florida Boys): male vocal quartet; J. Caleb Ginyard lead vocal; John Jennings ten. vocal; Theodore Brooks bari. vocal; Elijah Wright bass vocal; unacc. Thursday, 11 December 1941. New York City.
[70042 -]
86 I’ll Stay On The Right Road Now Fa Sol La Singers Fa Sol La Singers: mixed vocal quartet; directed by J.J. Davis; unk. finger-snapping; unacc. Friday, 23 October 1931. Atlanta, Georgia.
[151915-1]
87 When That Great Ship Went Down William & Versey Smith William & Versey Smith: vocal duet; either William or Versey Smith guitar, tambourine/washboard; c. August 1927.Chicago, Illinois.
[4685] No takes are shown on these issues.
88 You Better Let That Liar Alone Silver Leaf Quartette Of Norfolk Silver Leaf Quartette of Norfolk: Melvin Smith 1st. ten. & lead vocal; William Thatch falsetto vocal; William Boush bari. vocal; Ellis McPherson bass vocal; unacc Tuesday, 23 October 1828. New York City.
[401261-A]
89 Lord, I’m Troubled Silver Leaf Quartette Of Norfolk As for 88.Wednesday, 5 March 1930. New York City.
[403827-C]
90 Goodbye To Chain Stores – Pt. 1 Rev. J.M. Gates Rev. J.M. Gates preaching, speech; Deacon Leon Davis vocal responses, speech; Sister Bell vocal responses, speech; Sister Jordan vocal responses, speech; unacc. Friday, 25 April 1930. Atlanta, Georgia.
[4800 10-A]
91 Manish Women [sic] Rev. J.M. Gates Rev. J.M. Gates preaching, vocal, speech; Deacon Leon Davis vocal, vocal responses, speech; prob. Sister Bell vocal, vocal responses, speech; Sister Jordan, vocal, vocal responses, speech; unacc. Monday, 16 December 1929. New Orleans, Louisiana.
[403434-A,-B]
92 I Got To Cross The River Of  Jordan
(L Of C)		 Blind Willie McTell Blind Willie McTell vocal, guitar, speech. Tuesday, 5 November 1940. Atlanta, Georgia.
[4071-A-2]
93 Them Bones Mitchell’s Christian Singers Mitchell’s Christian Singers: William Brown lead ten. vocal; Julius ‘Juke’ Davisten. vocal; Louis ‘Panella’ Davis bari. vocal; Lewis Herring bass vocal; unacc. Tuesday, 21 August 1934. New York City.
[15676-1]
94 The Gambler’s Doom Rev. J.C. Burnett Rev. J.C. Burnett preaching; Sisters Ethel Grainger & Odette Jackson vocal responses, speech; unacc. Wednesday, 21 September 1927. New York City.
[144776-2]
95 My Lord I’m Trampin’ Mitchell’s Christian Singers Mitchell’s Christian Singers: As for 93. But Sam Bryant bass vocal replaces Lewis Herring. Wednesday, 11 August 1937. New York City.
[21503-2]
96 Handwriting On The Wall Heavenly Gospel Singers Heavenly Gospel Singers: Roosevelt Fenoy lead vocal; Arthur Lee ‘Bob’ Beatty ten. vocal; Henderson Massey bari. vocal; Jimmy Bryant bas vocal; unacc. Monday, 26 September 1938. Rock Hill, South Carolina.
[026991-1]
97 I Am In The Heavenly Way Bukka White Washington ‘Bukka’ White vocal, guitar; Miss Minnie’ (prob. Memphis Minnie) vocal. Monday, 26 May 1930. Memphis, Tennessee.
[62506-2]
98 Pig Or Pup (Or The Two-Faced Man) Rev. Emmett Dickinson Rev. Emmett Dickinson preaching; two unk. females vocal responses, speech; unk. male vocal responses, speech; unacc. Friday, 14 February 1930. Richmond, Indiana.
[16279 –]
99 Feed Me Till I Want No More (L Of C) Brown Brothers Jubilee Quartet Brown Brothers Jubilee Quartet: Unk. male group vocal; unacc. Friday 8 November 1940. Pearson’s Funeral Home. Columbia, South Carolina.
[4078-B-2]
100 I Wouldn’t Mind Dying If Dying Was All Norfolk Jubilee Quartet Norfolk Jubilee Quartet: J. ‘Buddie’ Archer ten. vocal; Otto Tutson lead vocal; Debrose Hollins bari. vocal; Len Williams bass vocal/manager; unacc. c. September 1927. New York City.
[2886-2]
101 Free At Last Norfolk Jubilee Quartet Norfolk Jubilee Qairtet: Norman ‘Crip’ Harris 1st. ten. vocal; Raymond Smith 2nd. ten. vocal; Melvin Coldten bari. vocal; Len Williams bass vocal; unacc. Thursday, 15 July 1937. New York City.
[62396-A]
102 I’m Goin’ Home Charley Patton Charley Patton vocal, guitar, speech. Friday, 14 June 1929. Richmond, Indiana.
[15227 –]