Search - Various Artists :: Ladies Of Gospel - Precious Memories: Favorites From Gospel's Women Of Song

This compilation of recordings by 11 full-on gospel divas is a joy, if a bit of a surprise from Peacock Records, bastion of male artists such as The Dixie Hummingbirds and Mighty Clouds of Joy. Among many strengths, its biggest is in matching each of gospel's central styles with a singer more than capable of doing it justice--and in some instances having developed it to begin with. Hence Inez Andrews kicks off with the rock-steady 1973 hit "Lord, Don't Move the Mountain" (proving Mahalia Jackson's charge that "rock & roll was stolen out of the sanctified church"). Then Ms. Jackson's own brand of dignified burn gets spotlighted with "The Upper Room," before being segued into the tempered, Wurlitzer bounce of Madame Edna Gallmon Cooke's "At the Gate," and so on. Other highlights are Bessie Griffin's unyielding spirit-feel hollering on "The Old Rugged Cross," and "I Won't Let Go," a roaring ode to Satan-bashing from Dorothy Love Coates. Every track is epiphanous, and the only quibble you could maybe have with Precious Memories is the inexplicable absence of Marion Williams. Otherwise a soul-satisfying meal, with plenty of gravy. --Steve Lafreniere