Various Artists – Texas Gospel Vols. 6 and 7

Various Artists

Volumes Six and Seven take their title from the Alpha and Omega Singers’ theme song, “I Am Alpha and Omega” (included on the set) and lead us on an aural journey through gospel music from 1958 (Peacock 1782) and 1959 (Peacock 1807).

Technically, Peacock was an indie label, but as far as gospel was concerned, it was a major. With the sobriquet “World’s Greatest Spirituals” stamped on its black label, Peacock Records had under contract some of the biggest artists of gospel’s Golden Era. Although the collection’s title implies that the music comes from Texas, it refers to Peacock’s Houston headquarters. The artists hailed from across the U.S.

This latest installment demonstrates what a powerhouse Peacock was. In an era when quartets and groups reigned supreme, Don Robey’s label had workhorses such as the Dixie Hummingbirds, Original Five Blind Boys and Sensational Nightingales on its roster, and impressive newcomers to the label, such as the Gospelaires of Dayton and the Spirit of Memphis (feat. Joe Hinton).

Peacock was known to be quartet-friendly, but it released more than its share of discs from the era’s solo gospel singers.  Artists such as Rev. Cleophus Robinson and Sister Jessie Mae Renfro, for example. The set includes samples of their work during this time period.

An especially interesting selection on I Am Alpha and Omega is the Dixie Hummingbirds’ follow-up to their novelty hit, “Let’s Go Out to the Programs.” On the former disc, the ‘Birds mimicked male groups, but on “Let’s Go Out to the Programs (#2)” they imitated the popular female-led groups of the day.

Early singles from the Brooklyn All Stars’ can be heard on the two-CD set, showcasing the remarkable lead singing of Hardie Clifton. Long out of print material by the Ever Ready Gospel Singers, Gospel Consolators and Alpha and Omega Singers are also welcome additions. The sound quality is excellent and, as always, Nations’ liner notes are informative and illustrative.

The only Peacock gospel single from this period not included here is #1799, a two-part sermon by Rev. Mary Hatchett and Universal Hagar’s Spiritual Church Choir. This was presumably a Houston-based congregation.  The disc was probably released only regionally, as it is extremely rare today.

Something else has come to an end: Acrobat Records. That is why Opal Nations has released the set on his “Acronym” label. It is available through Nations ([email protected]) or from http://www.rootsandrhythm.com/.

What Acrobat Records and Opal Nations have given us in the seven volumes is a comprehensive review of the beginning of Peacock’s commitment to gospel, a commitment that would extend well into the 1970s.

Four of Five Stars

Reviewed by Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog.