VIA PRESS RELEASE | Craft Recordings is pleased to announce the release of a new compilation celebrating the roots of American popular music. Jesus Rocked the Jukebox: Small Group Black Gospel (1951-1965) delves deep into the Specialty and Vee-Jay Records’ vaults, to honor such esteemed gospel groups as The Staple Singers, The Blind Boys of Alabama, The Swan Silvertones, and The Soul Stirrers—several of whom would eventually cross over into the secular soul and pop radio airwaves.
In his extensive liner notes, which accompany the release, gospel music author, talk show host, and editor-in-chief of the Journal of Gospel Music, Robert M. Marovich writes, “Whether stolen, borrowed, leased, or subconsciously emulated, the music of the African-American church in the twentieth century has had a profound and permanent influence on popular music. Every perspiration-drenched performance by a soul singer [and] every shouting improvisation from a rock-and-roll vocalist…evokes the exuberance of black preachers, church singers, and church musicians in the throes of the spirit.”
In stores on September 15th, the 40-track compilation will be available as a 3-LP album, housed in a triple-gatefold jacket, or on 2 CDs. The collection contains some of the most sought-after sides of the genre, including “Father Don’t Leave” by the Silver Quintette and “People Don’t Sing Like They Used To Sing” by the Original Blind Boys, both long-forgotten gems that shine with new light.
The Church is where it all began: from Curtis Mayfield and Jerry Butler, who sang together in a choir before forming the Impressions, to Wilson Pickett, James Brown, and Aretha Franklin, who all sang in religious groups before making it big as soul singers. Jesus Rocked the Jukebox offers a variety of acts—some, like Sam Cooke and The Staple Singers, who became huge stars, as well as lesser-known artists, who stayed with the flock and declined to make the move to secular music, and, often, in turn, stardom.
In his liner notes, Marovich adds, “Black sacred music’s influence on popular music was inevitable if you consider that the church was the primary music school for generations of African-American singers and musicians. The list of R&B and soul artists who honed their skills singing in the church choir, accompanying the church choir, or performing as part of a gospel group or quartet is prodigious.”
JESUS ROCKED THE JUKEBOX – LP TRACK LISTING:
SIDE A
1. People Don’t Sing Like they Used to Sing – The Original Blind Boys (2:16)
2. Jesus Gave Me Water – The Soul Stirrers (2:31)
3. Uncloudy Day – The Staple Singers (2:59)
4. Where Shall I Go – The Swan Silvertones (2:03)
5. I Am So Glad – The Patterson Singers (3:24)
6. I Dreamed Heaven Was Like This – The Highway QC’s – (2:45)
7. Oh Sinner – The Harmonizing Four (3:16)
SIDE B
1. God Has Not Promised – The Highway QC’s (3:01)
2. Let Jesus Lead You – The Detroiters (2:49)
3. Let Me Ride – The Staple Singers (2:43)
4. Sinner Man – The Swan Silvertones (3:11)
5. Ananais – The Chosen Gospel Singers (2:13)
6. Wade In the Water – The Harmonizing Four (3:03)
SIDE C
1. Just Another Day – The Soul Stirrers (2:44)
2. The Way Up the Hill – The Highway QC’s (2:55)
3. Living For My Jesus – The Happyland Singers (2:29)
4. Pray On – The Staple Singers (2:49)
5. Sinner’s Crossroads – The Silver Quintette (3:11)
6. This May Be the Last Time – The Original Five Blind Boys of Alabama (2:33)
7. It’s In My Heart – The Harmonizing Four (2:32)
SIDE D
1. Swingin’ On the Golden Gate – The Happyland Singers (2:02)
2. After While (take 8) – The Pilgrim Travelers (2:38)
3. Mary Don’t You Weep – The Swan Silvertones (2:51)
4. Heavenly Father – The Patterson Singers (2:53)
5. Sit Down Servant – The Staple Singers (2:46)
6. Stay With Me Jesus – The Chosen Gospel Singers (2:45)
7. Come and Go to That Land (take 3) – The Soul Stirrers (2:36)
SIDE E
1. Angels Watching Over Me – The Detroiters (2:16)
2. I Can See Everybody’s Mother – Original Blind Boys of Alabama (2:26)
3. Happy Home – The Harmonizing Four (2:07)
4. Move Upstairs – The Gable-Airs (3:28)
5. Pray – The Highway QC’s (2:27)
6. How I Got Over – The Swan Silvertone Singers (2:54)
7. Help Me Jesus – The Staple Singers (2:47)
SIDE F
1. Sign of the Judgement – The Swan Silvertones (3:04)
2. Hallelujah – The Harmonizing Four (1:59)
3. Sinner Run to Jesus (take 1) – The Soul Stirrers (2:07)
4. Father Don’t Leave – The Silver Quintette (1:59)
5. He’s Alright – The Blind Boys of Alabama (2:03)
6. The Lord’s Prayer – The Swan Silvertones (3:06)
