Gotham Gospel

1,Gotham Gospel Vo.1/V.A. 1LP (Krazy Kat) 105円
2,Gotham Gospel Vo.1/V.A. 1LP (Krazy Kat) 315円
1946年にSam Goode (Goody)とIrvin BallenによってN.Y.で設立されその後フィラデルフィアに居を移したのがGotham Records。ゴスペル、ブルース、ジャズ、R&B、Doo-Wopと50年代の黒人音楽ファンにとっては避けては通れないレーベルですね。

そのGothamレーベルに1948年から1957年に残された様々なゴスペル・グループの録音を集めたLP。今ではCollectablesから2枚ともそのままの形でCD化されています。

Vol.1
1. Sign of Judgement - Violinaires
2. My Work Will Be Done - Violinaires
3. Someone Is Waiing For Me - Violinaires
4. Don't Cry - National Clouds Of Joy
5. Every Day Will Be Sunday - The Zion Harmonizers
6. Other Shore, The - The Zion Harmonizers
7. Working the Road - The Zion Harmonizers
8. God Can Use You - Mid-South Singers
9. Are You Ready? - (unknown Detroit female group)
10. Draw Me Nearer - (unknown Detroit female group)
11. Lonesome For Mother's Prayer - (unknown Detroit male group)
12. Come on Over Here - (unknown Detroit male group)
13. I Must Tell Jesus - (unknown Detroit male group)
14. I'll Meet You in the Morning - Mid-South Singers

Vol.2
1. Gospel Train - Harmony Kings Of WTND (previously unreleased)
2. Down on My Knees - Harmony Kings Of WTND (previously unreleased)
3. I'm a Pilgrim - Harmony Kings Of WTND (previously unreleased)
4. Do You Know Him - Harmony Kings Of WTND (previously unreleased)
5. Jesus Is My Only Friend - Harmony Kings Of WTND
6. Call Him Anytime - Gospel Vocalaires Of Norfolk, Va.
7. Jezebel - Gospel Vocalaires Of Norfolk, Va. (previously unreleased)
8. When I Take My Vacation in Heaven - Mount Eagle Quartet
9. He's a Friend to Us All - Mt. Eagle Quartet
10. No Jim Crow in Heaven - Capital City Quartette
11. Lord, Send Mother Back to Me - Capital City Quartette
12. I Have Found No Friend - Allen Bunn/Tarheel Slim
13. Get on the Road to Glory - Allen Bunn-Tarheel Slim
14. I'll Be Satisfied - Gospel Vocalaires Of Norfolk, Va.

ハード・シャウティングに分厚いハーモニーのカルテットものから繊細な女性グループまで、色々入っていますが共通するのは強靭なリズム感。Blues/R&B/Soulの観点でしか聴けない私ですが、それでもこの強靭でしなやかな音楽には惹かれます。