Caravans Reunite on Record After Forty Years

From Media Jenny:

Malaco Records, the gospel industry’s largest independent label, is set to release The Caravans: Paved The Way, on September 5, 2006. This project is the first for the group in forty years and brings together founder Albertina Walker as well as members Dorothy Norwood, Inez Andrews, and Delores Washington.

The project, initiated and produced by the award-winning, legendary Norwood (Malaco Records), was also co-produced by the Reverend Milton Biggham (Savoy Records, The Georgia Mass Choir) and Albertina Walker. The album includes seven classic standards and features the group’s hit single “Mary Don’t You Weep,” along with six new songs.

Walker, who became known as ‘The Star-Maker’ for her uncanny ability to find phenomenal talent for the group, began her career singing at the age of four at Chicago’s West Point Baptist Church, where the album was recorded. Under the tutelage of the great Thomas A. Dorsey and Mahalia Jackson, Walker’s talents flourished and she went on to earn the title ‘Queen of Gospel’ following the death of Jackson in the sixties.

The Caravans, known as the most popular touring gospel group from the late fifties to early sixties, helped launch highly successful solo careers for many in gospel music such as Dorothy Norwood, Shirley Caesar, Inez Andrews, Bessie Griffin, James Cleveland, and Cassietta George. Malaco Records and its sister label, Savoy, have been home to many of these artists throughout the decades, boasting one of the richest collections of gospel music available.

“We have been fortunate at Malaco to have worked with some of the finest talent in the industry. We are also proud to have played an active role in helping these artists throughout their careers,” states Tommy Couch, Sr., President of Malaco Music Group. “It is exciting to have these four voices come together and recreate the incredible quartet sound that identified The Caravans as one of the hottest gospel groups of all time. They really did pave the way for many to follow, which is why the album title is so fitting,” finishes Couch.

Walker supports Couch’s remarks and states, “All I have ever wanted to do was sing Gospel music and live in Chicago. We paved the way. I’m not bragging or anything, but the Lord used us. He used us to lay the foundation for the future. Money wasn’t the thing. We did it because we loved the Lord. That is what I was taught and that is what I still believe. We were young. We were saved. And any way that He wanted to use us, we were willing to do it and that is the way it was and still is,” Walker adds.

The reunited group will appear on the BET “Lift Every Voice” special, The Bobby Jones Gospel Hour (The Word Network and BET), TV1’s The Gospel of Music with Jeff Majors, television special, Gospel Superfest. Visit www.thecaravans.net for more information.