Monday, March 26, 2012

True Soul Music: The Jackson Southernaires

The Jackson Southernaires


This morning I was awake early.  Strangely, an urge came over me to hear some sweet gospel music and I opened up YouTube to a stunning version of the Jackson Southernaires singing Walk Around Heaven All Day. 

It made me happy all day.

Throughout the United States, The Jackson Southernaires have become one of America's most outstanding gospel sensations. Frank Crisler formed the group in Jackson, Mississippi in 1940. Early on, the group followed in the footsteps of the famous Mississippi Blind Boys, but before long, they began to walk in their own distinct style, which is still evident today. They were the first gospel group in the state to use the guitar, bass, drum, and keyboard in their stage performance. 




In 1963, the group signed their first recording contract with Duke/Peacock Records. Their first release Too Late became one of the company's biggest albums. From 1972-75 the group was signed to the ABC/Dunhill label. In 1975, Malaco Records, an independent blues and R & B company, decided to build a gospel label. The rock that they decided to build upon was the Jackson Southernaires. This decision would prove to be pivotal for both parties. Since signing with Malaco, The Jackson Southernaires have gone on to record twenty top ten albums, of which four have become number one. 


The Southernaires are not only performers, but producers as well. They have produced albums by the Sensational Nightingales, J. J. Farley, and the Original Soul Stirrers, The Williams Family, The Truthettes, The D. R. Curry Memorial Choir, The Eveready's, The Angelic Gospel Singers, and The Fantastic Violinaires.




In 1979, the Southernaires received a Grammy nomination for Teddy Bear. In 1985 and 1986, they received a nomination from the Stellar Awards and The Gospel Music Workshop of America as the Traditional Male Group of the Year. In 1987, they received a nomination from the NAACP Image Award as the Traditional Male Group of the Year. For the years 1987, 1988, & 1989, they won awards from the GMWA for the Traditional Male Group of the Year. In 1989, they were nominated for and won a Stellar Award for the Traditional Male Group. 




The Jackson Southernaires sing true soul music.  There is no slack track on this album and Walk Around Heaven All Day is simply one of the sweets love songs ever composed. 


            Track Listing:
            01 Don't Let Him Catch you (With Your Work Undone)
02 Keep On Praying
03 Lord You've Been Good To Me
04 Save My Child
05 The Lord Will Make A Way Somehow
06 Walk Around Heaven All Day
07 Lord, I'm So Thankful
08 I'd Like To Recommend you To The Lord
09 Waiting On Jesus
10 Wonderful To Be Alive

Listen here.







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