Reviewed by Tony Cummings

First some full disclosure. In 1976 I wrote a book about the music of Philadelphia and due to my ignorance of classical music and gospel music it failed to include at least a few paragraphs about Marian Anderson and The Imperial Gospel Singers. Concerning the latter, my lack of knowledge of the fearsomely soulful female group with their two exceptional lead singers, Rosie Wallace and Anna Smallwood, was understandable as it was shared by the gospel community outside of the US's East Coast. The Imperial Gospel Singers never toured, let alone appear in "secular" venues. But though fame and fortune escaped them talent-wise they were wonderful. This 32-track 2 CD compilation is a step forward in rectifying the unjust neglect they've received from gospel music historians. This set very helpfully offers the 'A' and 'B' sides of all the singles they recorded for the Gospel and Savoy labels between 1958 and 1962 as well as the tracks on their albums 'Gospel Songs', 'Fountain Of Blood' and 'The Sower'. They are often wonderful and if you enjoy the music of the not dissimilar Davis Sisters, Clara Ward & The Ward Singers or the Angelic Gospel Singers I would recommend you get your hands on this exhilarating collection. Among the particular standouts are "If You Wait" (recorded in 1959) sung as a duet; a rollicking version of the standard "In My Father's House" (recorded 1958), a smouldering "He'll Change Your Heart From Right To Wrong" (1961) and "Nothing Is Too Hard For God" (1960). But the best track of all came from their first session for Savoy/Gospel, "My Change Will Come" with an explosively passionate lead from Rosie Wallace which gospel authority Opal Nations once described as "throat slashing". If you are attuned to the recordings of the golden age of gospel this collection is heartily recommended.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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