How Can I Keep from Singing, Vol. 1

by HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING 1 /

Overview

Another of Yazoo Records' wonderful themed compilations, How Can I Keep From Singing is a collection of sacred music from the 1920s and 1930s. It provides an indispensable series of portraits that sheds light on how people from the period celebrated their religion in song. Beyond historical significance, every performance here is an enjoyable listening experience, and there are many highlights. Jay Bird Coleman delivers a fantastic harmonica duet with Ollis Martin on "I'm Gonna Cross the River of Jordan." Their performance is raw and seems to lie outside of the confines of the church, much closer to the earth. The music seems to jump out of the recording. "He's Got Better Things for You" by the Memphis Sanctified Singers is equally exciting and is sung so beautifully that it could win the church new converts. "He's got the holy ghost and the fire," the singer advertises. This is religious music, but she isn't above making the song a showcase for her unique style as she growls her way through the chorus. On "Woke Up This Morning," Roosevelt Graves & Brother create a joyful syncopation with two voices, guitar, and some basic percussion. Typically, Yazoo gives no thought to musical or racial segregation. Thus, the heavily stylized voice of Rev. H.B. Jackson is backed by the authentic gospel sounds of Rev. E.D. Campbell & Congregation. Uncle Dave Macon (a white, vaudeville-influenced performer), who delivers a humorous, spoken introduction on "Walking in Sunlight," is followed by the unique tradition of sacred harp singing on a performance by the Middle Georgia Singing Convention. Slim Ducket & Pig Norwood's wonderful, subdued reading of "I Want to Go Where Jesus Is," which seems to bear the mark of a blues (secular) performer, is up against Rev. J.O. Hanes. The group's "The Great Transaction's Done," with its inclusion of a sermon, attempts to recreate the environment of a church meeting on record. By making faith the only requirement, Yazoo has brought together a range of performers, styles, and voices to gather and congregate, resulting in a blend that's all too rare. ~ Nathan Bush

Product Details

Release Date:	06/04/1996
Label:	Yazoo
UPC:	0016351202024
Rank:	122085

Tracks

1. My Heart Keeps Singing
2. Woke up This Morning
3. Standing on the Promises
4. I Can Tell the World About This
5. Walking in Sunlight
6. This Song of Love
7. It Won't Be Long Till My Grave Is Made
8. I'm Gonna Cross the River of Jordan Some O'These Days
9. My Loved Ones Are Waiting
10. True Friendship
11. Weeping Pilgrim
12. Sleep On, Mother Sleep On
13. My Christian Friends in Bonds of Love
14. He's Got Better Things for You
15. God Leads His Dear Children Along
16. Coronation
17. I Want to Go Where Jesus Is
18. The Great Transaction's Done
19. Every Time I Feel the Spirit
20. Come Let Us Eat Together
21. Bringing in the Sheaves
22. Will David Play His Harp for Me
23. Who'll Join This Union?

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Pig Norwood   Primary Artist
Walter Smith   Primary Artist,Primary Artist
Elder Golden Harris   Primary Artist
Nazarene Congregational Church Choir Of Brooklyn   Primary Artist
Rev. H.B Jackson   Primary Artist
Rev. J.O. Hanes & Choir   Primary Artist
Slim Ducket   Primary Artist
Carolina Ladies Quartette   Primary Artist
Rev. E.D Campbell & Congregation   Primary Artist
Rev. & Mrs. Edward Boone   Primary Artist
The Mountain Singers Male Quartette   Primary Artist
Rev Joseph Callender   Primary Artist
Middle Georgia Singing Convention   Primary Artist
Norman Woodlieff   Primary Artist
Memphis Sanctified Singers   Primary Artist
Roosevelt Graves and Brother   Primary Artist
Lonnie McIntorsh   Primary Artist
Allison's Sacred Harp Singers   Primary Artist
Taskiana Four   Primary Artist
Elder J.E. Burch   Primary Artist
Laura Henton   Primary Artist
Daniels-Deason Sacred Harp Singers   Primary Artist
Rev. J.C. Burnett   Primary Artist
Jaybird Coleman   Primary Artist
Uncle Dave Macon   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

Lonnie McIntorsh   Performer
Traditional   Composer
Robert Vosgien   Digital Mastering
Norman Woodlieff   Performer
Memphis Sanctified Singers   Performer
Richard Nevins   Remastering,Liner Notes,Producer
Allison's Sacred Harp Singers   Performer
Roosevelt Graves and Brother   Performer
William Levi Dawson   Composer
Daniels-Deason Sacred Harp Singers   Performer
Jaybird Coleman   Performer,Composer
Walter Smith   Performer
George A. Minor   Composer
Joan Pelosi   Art Direction
Don Kent   Liner Notes