THE PILGRIM TRAVELERS "Walking Rhythm" 47-51

This CD compilation from legendary Speciality Records is almost as good as the wonderful "Best of the Pilgrim Travelers" on the same label. The title "Walkin' Rhythm" refers to the distinctive mid-tempo groove that became a Pilgrim Travelers trademark. With Keith Barber and Kylo Turner trading leads, the group used close and nuanced harmonies and a distinctive lower timbre (more suitable to Turner's baritone voice) to produce a sound that was a bit "smoother" than the "wreck the house" sanctified shouting that made the Soul Stirrers with R.H. Harris (later replaced by Sam Cooke) the kings of hard gospel in the late 40's and '50's. Make no mistake, the Pilgrims could "lay them out" in the aisles with hard-driving "shouters" like "Pass Me Not, Gentle Saviour," then bring tears to every eye with a "weeper" like "Angels Tell Mother." But whether they were wrecking the house, or eliciting shouted affirmations as the bass line "walked" the rhythm with a repeated phrase during a "mother" song, the Pilgrim Travelers never failed to swing, just like the best jazz, pop, hip-hop, or 60's soul. Great musicians always swing, no matter the genre, and the Travelers were among the best. This compilation is taken from 1947-51, when the group was at its height. Like other "hard gospel" groups of the Golden Age (the Soul Stirrers, Dixie Hummingbirds, Sensational Nightingales, Swan Silvertones, and more), the Pilgrim Travelers sang virtually a capella during this period, using only an occasional guitar to support their voices. As is said about classical string quartets, in small group a capella gospel "there is no place to hide." For the Pilgrim Travelers, there was no need to hide- their voices said it all. This is great, solid, hard-driving gospel at its best. It is a shame the audience for it is relatively small. Aretha Franklin, Sam Cooke, Johnny Taylor, Lou Rawls, and Wilson Picket all started out in well-known gospel groups, and it shows in their singing. No matter your religious beliefs or lack of them, this is great music that will leave you feeling better for having listened to it. Highly recommended. (THE GOSPEL REVIEW)

trax:
01 What Are They Doing (My Lord) 02 Stretch Out 03 My Prayer 04 Good News 05 Dig A Little Deeper 06 Everybody's Gonna Have A Wonderful Time Up There (Gospel Boogie) 07 Nothing Can Change Me (Since I Found The Lord) 08 Jesus 09 Thank You Jesus 10 What A Friend We Have In Jesus 11 It's A Blessing 12 Not A One 13 He's Pleading In Glory 14 Jesus Gave Me Water 15 Jesus, He's The One 16 King Jesus Will Roll All Burdens Away 17 My Eternal Home 18 Pass Me Not Oh Gentle Saviour 19 Footprints Of Jesus 20 When I Join The Jubilee 21 Call Him By His Name 22 Welcome Home 23 My Road's So Rough And Rocky 24 I Love The Lord 25 Deliver Me From Evil 26 Jesus Is The First Line Of Defense 27 Peace Of Mind 28 Angels Tell Mother 29 Wdia Radio Station Plug
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