Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments

In there more than 70 years together, the Swanee Quintet released a host of great gospel songs, including this one - “The Lord's on My Side.”

The legendary Dorothy Love Coates was one of the true stars of gospel music and her powerful “99 ½ Won't Do” was adopted as a freedom song during the civil rights movement.

The Rev. Morgan Babb's passionate version of “Lord, You've Been Good to Me” spontaneously emerges from the altar call during one of his legendary sermons.

The otherwise unknown Singing Corinthians deliver an impassioned version of the old spiritual, “The Lord Will Provide.”

The Blend Wright Trio were a poppy, upbeat gospel group led by the multi-talented Eleanor Wright, who recorded for Savoy in the 1960s.

The Bible Way Church of God Choir's “What Do You Say About Jesus?” features the church's longtime pastor, Little Abraham Swanson.

The LP Believe in Me by the Melody Kings features a rousing version of Lee Wallace's gospel rave up, “I Pray.”

The Kindly Shepherds' “Lend Me Your Hand,” produced by Monk Higgins, is much coveted by Northern Soul vinyl collectors.

Willie Banks' titanic sermon song “Things I Can't Change” features one of the most powerful vocal performances in gospel music.

“Leaning on the Lord” is an incredibly infectious gospel rave up by the otherwise unknown Heavenly Stars of Milwaukee.

The St. James A.M.E. Youth Choir dedicates “I Don't Know Why He Loves Me” to their beloved pastor, Bishop John D. Bright Sr.

Prepare to be moved by Gwen Curtis' impassioned vocals on this titanic version of John Stallings' “Learning to Lean.”

The Rev. Oris Mays was one of the true originals of the incomparable gospel music scene in Memphis.

One of the earliest jubilee groups to record, the Selah Jubilee Singers' close-harmony “Judgment's Coming” is one of their best-loved numbers.

The lone known recording by Mary Brown and the United Echoes is a spirit-filled romp titled “The Judgment.”

The Swindell Brothers with Bishop J.J. Wilkerson were one of the more unique quartets in gospel music – witness their charming “Judge Not.”

The Bells of Zion were practitioners of a particular sub-genre, a soulful, particularly Southern brand of downhome gospel music.

Chicago legend Jessy Dixon lends a hand to the Omega Baptist Church Radio Choir's thrilling version of “Joy Comes in the Morning

The Gospel Messengers' 45 “Joy Like a River” is a full-tilt romp – one long gospel vamp!

The Spiritual 5 released some fine gospel music during their few years together, including this dramatic rendition of “Sweet By and By.”

Bishop Wm. Morris O'Neile and the Voices of Universal's impassioned version of “My Tribute (to God be the Glory)” is the definitive interpretation of this classic.

Olivia Branch Walker may not be a household name in gospel music, but her “Jesus, the Baby King” is a great way to end the year!

For more than 40 years, the husband and wife duo The Consolers continued to perform old school, deeply traditional gospel music.

The Sunset Jubilaires, led by the multi-talented Barnes brothers, had a gospel hit in 1983 with “Let's Go to Church on Christmas Day

The pride of South Carolina, the Gerald Sisters have released passionate, high quality traditional gospel music for more than 40 years.

Deep-voiced Jimmy Jones was one of the few lead bass singers to lead his own group – the Sensationals – in the history of gospel music.

The Victory Travelers are one of the last remaining examples of the hard-driving gospel quartet sound of the 1960s.

Detroit's The Shackleford Singers bring the gospel funk with their explosive record, “Been to the Water.”

Anthony Butler and His Singers recreate the classic sound of the beloved Golden Gate Quartet with their song, “Judgement's Coming.”

While unknown today, Sister Barbara Jones' razor-sharp soprano gives the stompin' “Be Ready” a timeless quality.

The Drinkard Singers were one of the first families of gospel music, and whose members included Cissy Houston and Dionne Warwick.

The Mighty Inspirations of Nashville mix the sounds of the Winans with soulful R&B on “Miracle Man.”

The Spence Taylor-led Highway QCs transform the old classic “I'll Fly Away” into a Temptations styled psychedelic soul romp!

The Rev. “Singing” Sammy Lewis was dubbed the Crown Prince of Gospel for recordings like “Jesus Paid It” for Vee-Jay Records.

Columbus Mann and the Gospel Outreach Choir of the Pentecostal COGIC of Inkster, Michigan, Jesus Never Fails LP features the blistering seven-minute vamp, “Blind Old Satan.”

Sterling Glass and the Metropolitan Singers are best known for their dramatic, 5 ½ minute version of the old spiritual, “Mary, Don't You Weep.”

Check out the Golden Trumpets' array of superb soloists on this winsome mid-tempo jubilee number, “Jesus My Doctor.”

This version of “Jesus Made it Possible” by The Capitolaires of Dayton, Ohio, tells you all you need to know about this powerful quartet.

The legendary DeLois Barrett Campbell and the Barrett Sisters were at their peak on this live version of “I'll Fly Away.”

The Charles G. Hayes and the Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer Choir released 30 LPs during Hayes' more than 50 years with the church, including up tempo rave-up, “Everything is Alright.”

Vernard Johnson's “sanctified saxophone” have been thrilling congregations for decades with his emotional versions of classic gospel songs and hymns.

Vernard Johnson's “sanctified saxophone” have been thrilling congregations for decades with his emotional versions of classic gospel songs and hymns.

Louis and Valerie Johnson of the famed Brothers Johnson join with friend Richard Heath on their excellent gospel side project, titled Passage.

The patriarch and matriarch of the far-flung Winans' empire, Mom & Pop Winans, released some memorable gospel music as well, including “Nobody Else But Him.”

Curtis Young and the Five Singing Sons created a bouncy pop-oriented brand of gospel music that will immediately make you think of the Jackson 5.

The gritty Gospel Landers of Norfolk, Virginia produced a rough and ready brand of soulful gospel music.

Jessy Dixon's long career included one album produced and recorded with Andrae Crouch, It's All Right Now.

The teen-age COGICs' “It Will Never Lose Its Power” is the earliest recording of Andrae Crouch's beloved “The Blood (Will Never Lose Its Power.”

One of the most irresistible songs in all of gospel music is the Golden Gate Quartet's a cappella rendition of the story of Daniel in the lion's den – “Shadrack.”

You've never heard Bob Dylan's masterful “I Shall Be Released” until you've heard it sung by Robert Blair and the Violinaires of Chicago.

James Herndon was one of the top composers and pianists during gospel's Golden Age and responsible for such upbeat classic hits as “No Courage Soldier” from 1968.