Inspirational Souls help rock the Quartet Stage at Chicago’s Gospel Fest

On Sunday, June 5, the Inspirational Souls ascended the stairs to the day stage at Chicago’s famed Gospel Festival, and demonstrated that classic quartet singing is alive and well in the 21st Century.

The quartet was founded in 1962 and today includes Johnny Woolfalk (Holy Disciples, Woolfalk Singers), Johnnie Townsel, Charles Leatherwood (Friendly Echos, Spirit of Memphis, Harmonizing Four), and Frank & Nathaniel Jones (Prophiteers). Among the variety of quartet songs they performed was a rendition of the Swan Silvertones’ “The Lord’s Prayer” that blended the drama and harmonic nuance of Rev. Jeter and company’s original with the Souls’ own hard-driving singing.

Despite an approaching storm that threatened to drench the large crowd gathered at Chicago’s Millenium Park (it thankfully passed over), the Inspirational Souls eked every ounce of utility out of their brief performance.

I must also mention a remarkable performance by the Stars of Heaven, a female quartet that rocked as hard as the Davis Sisters and the Gospel Harmonettes in their day.

The quartet stage also featured fine, soul-stirring performances by the Windy City SpiritualaireS, Universal Jubilaires, Doc McKenzie and the Hi-Lites (Doc helped MC a portion of the program), Joey & Veronica Woolfalk (the next generation of Johnny’s family), Pierre Walker and Project Sanctified, and Rev. Roney Strong and the Sensational Strong Family. It was reminiscent of the programs during Gospel’s Golden Era, when patrons could hear one great quartet after another for one price (in this case, free!).