Search - Bells of Joy :: The Collection 1951-1954

The real thing ... don't miss it

Lynn Walker | Providence, RI United States | 09/04/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hypnotic rhythm and complex background harmonies showcase some amazing lead tenors here ... if you loved the Golden Age of Gospel, do not pass this one by. You will find yourself whistling "Talk About Jesus" (their 1952 hit that sold 26,000 copies) or "Jesus Changed This Heart of Mine" more than you realize. The plaintive "No More Sorrow" is my favorite, but there is all good music here, original songs sung in the heartfelt way that makes 1950s Gospel music so compelling. Music is fantastic all the way; sound quality is acceptable but not good; take it 'cause it is the real thing."

IF YOU LIKE WHAT THE ACROBAT LABEL DID WITH THE FIVE BLIND B

Mr. Nightshift | Los Angeles, CA | 12/23/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Very rough sounding on almost all of the tracks!, But try finding ANY these cuts on VINYL!!!...As in 78's or 45's RPM Records! ALL of the recordings found on this collection are the Bells Of Joy's recordings for the Peacock Label dating from 1951 to 1954! There are some other Peacock Recordings (Unreleased) from a 1955 recording session that only seen the light of day on a SUPER RARE Compact Disc released on P-Vine (Out of Japan) released in 1988! This Compact Disc contains those 8 (Eight) songs, along with some of the Group's other Peacock Recordings! TRY FINDING THIS COMPACT DISC! There was NEVER a Bells Of Joy original album (On Vinyl) released on Peacock Records! WHY?...We'll never know. As I said earlier there was a Compact Disc released on the P-Vine label that's been long Out Of Print! This collection features most of the recordings from the P-Vine Compact Disc including the Group's Biggest Hit: "Let's Talk About Jesus" This cut was just a hair-shy of making Billboard's Singles Chart! (Which was almost unheard of for a Gospel Record!!!), along with "Stop right Now It's Praying Time", "There's A Leak In The Building", and "Since Jesus Changed This Heart Of Mine". ALL of these Singles are Super Rare and Very Hard To Find! Here's what you get ALL 6 (Six) of they're Singles dating from 1951 to 1954! Thus giving you a Total of 12 (Twelve) Track! PLUS 8 (Eight) UNRELEASED JEWELS from the vaults of Peacock Records! This Compact Disc on Acrobat covers almost ALL of the group's early recordings! (Except for the 1955 Sessions). People post war Gospel don't get no better than this!!!



Who knows maybe if we send enough Cards, Letters, Phone Calls to the good folks at Acrobat Records maybe they can dig through the vaults of Peacock Records (The Masters are owned by Universal Music Group), and maybe we'll get treated to another delightful collection of The Five Blind Boys Of Mississippi! In fact, If you (Acrobat) are reading this while you diggin' in the vaults of Peacock Records you might want to consider doing Collections (Compilations) on: Cleophus Robinson, Sister Josephine James, Sensational Nightingales, Dixie Hummingbirds, Jessie Mae Renfro, Victoria & Thelma Hawkins, Just to name a few. There is MORE THAN ENOUGH material to release a Compact Disc (Even Double Discs!) on EACH of the above named Artists that the world needs to hear, Especially lovers of good Gospel music!"

BEAUTIFUL!

Douglas McKinnon Jr. | Tijeras, NM | 04/18/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I had never heard of the Bells of Joy, but found them as part of the Acrobat Gospel Series of priceless 50s quartet-quintet recordings. The only reservation I have is the lack of a distinctive/dynamic lead singer, but if the ensemble sound is your priority this is comparable to the best of the genre."