“I Know the Lord”
Rev. Lawrence Roberts and the Angelic Choir
Savoy 4169 (also on Savoy LP MG 14049)
1961
And you thought the Angelic Choir was charged up on “Peace Be Still!” Listen to this November 1961 recording, one of the Angelic Choir of Nutley, New Jersey’s first discs, delivering its most joyously enthusiastic pre-“Peace Be Still” performance, and tell me it isn’t one of the most powerful versions of “I Know the Lord Laid His Hands on Me” that you’ve ever heard.
The record is a scorcher because of Roberts’ take-charge shouting lead, the choir’s ebullient singing and hand clapping, and the zealous drumming. And if none of these ingredients trip your trigger, you’ll love the delightfully enigmatic slide guitar solo. The slide guitar weaves into the song from out of nowhere to take center stage towards the end. It’s so unusual it works!
If you enjoy Dr. Charles Hayes and the Warriors’ take on this gospel chorus classic on their Remix album, you have got to check out the earlier version. Rev. Roberts and the Angelic Choir charge out of the grooves like a brakeless freight train on fire.
Written by : Bob Marovich
Bob Marovich is a gospel music historian, author, and radio host. Founder of Journal of Gospel Music blog (formally The Black Gospel Blog) and producer of the Gospel Memories Radio Show.
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