Reviewed by Tony Cummings

When Albertina Walker formed The Caravans in 1952 little did she know that she was forming one of the most influential groups in the history of gospel music. Through The Caravans ranks passed some of the greatest female vocalists, none more so than Shirley Caesar whose gutsy, roof-shaking stylings and ability to launch into blistering sermonettes in the middle of a song took the then young singer to the status of First Lady Of Gospel. But other singers of The Caravans were almost as adept; there was Inez Andrews’ elegant contralto, singer/somposer Cassietta George, the sassy and effervescent Bessie Griffin and briefly, in the tail end of The Caravans’ wonder years, the mighty voiced Loleatta Holloway, later to become an R&B star and disco diva. If that wasn’t enough, the Rev James Cleveland, soon to become a gospel giant in his own right, was the group’s original piano accompanist. This compilation represents The Caravans if not at their peak (you’ll need to locate the hard to find recordings for Gospel Records to hear that) at least in full flow with the Shirley Caesar-led “One Of These Old Days”, Albertina Walker’s bluesy reading of “Amazing Grace” and Shirley’s successful rendition of “Walk Around Heaven All Day” all working well. It’s a shame that three tracks from The Caravans’ 1965 live album have been arbitrarily added to the album but with a hugely generous 28 tracks assembled here no one can really complain.

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