Old Time Religion CD

Tracks 10-15 recorded at United Sound System, Detroit, Michigan on March 1, 1952 and January 27, 1953. Tracks 16-26 recorded at Universal Recorders, Hollywood, California on April 5, 1949. Includes liner notes by Ray Funk.

Digitally remastered by Joe Tarantino (1992, Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, California).

Old Time Religion showcases two great gospel vocal quartets from the '40s and '50s: the Detroiters and the Golden Echoes. The first half of the disc features 15 cuts from the Detroiters, 11 of which are previously unreleased songs recorded at United Sound. The Golden Echoes are represented with 11 songs recorded in 1949, ten of which have never been released. Usually, large sections of unreleased material would mean that the disc is primarily of interest to collectors, but that's not necessarily the case here. Both quartets are excellent examples of impassioned, moving and plain entertaining classic gospel, blessed with remarkable voices -- the Detroiters' lineup boasted Oliver Green and Leroy Barnes, while the Golden Echoes featured Paul Foster, Sr. and Wilmer "Little Axe" Broadnax -- and true spirit; it's a pleasure to hear them in any setting. Granted, some tastes may find the preponderance of alternate takes a little tedious, but if you program them out, you're left with a sterling collection of classic gospel. ~ Leo Stanley

This is part of the Specialty Legends Of Gospel series.

The Detroiters: Oliver Green, Leroy Barnes (leads), Dempsey Harrison (tenor), Bill Johnson (baritone), Robert Thomas (bass), Nathaniel L, Howard (piano).

The Golden Echos: Wilmer "Little Axe" Broadnax, Paul Foster (leads), Eldridge Bostic (tenor), Jimmy Copeland (baritone), James Ricks (bass).

Recording information: 04/05/1949-01/27/1953.