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World War II to the Civil Rights Movement

Overview

The continuation of the Great Black Migration just after World War II from Southern to Northern cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and New York strengthened the flow of preserving African Americanisms between Southern and Northern Blacks. New arrivals who left an environment and society full of oppression and discriminatory actions in hopes of a better life brought their Southern way of life to these big cities. To say their transition was easy would be an understatement. The church was the cornerstone for the African American community for these new arrivals from the South, as well as those formerly from the South who were already immersed in the particularly favorable environment.

Be ready to:

Recognize contributing factors that led to furthering gospel music.

Explain the significance of Pentecostal worshipping.

Identify vocal and instrumental characteristics and performance practices of Gospel.

Identify contexts where gospel music was heard between 1945 and 1965.

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Listening Guides

References

Performers of Gospel Music and Their Techniques: Listening Guide: Swan Silvertones "My Rock"

Table 17.4: "My Rock" by the Swan Silvertones Listening Guide
"My Rock"♫ Swan Silvertones Sung a cappella
A Two-part linearity: The lead vocalist sings the song's lyrics, supported by the background singers repeating in harmony the words "my rock." All members sing homorhythmically near the end of this section. SUBTLE three-part linearity: the bass voice periodically sings a few vocables against the lead and background singer's parts.	"My Rock" [00:00-00:20] 0:20
B Two-part linearity: The lead vocalist sings the song's lyrics, supported by the background singers repeating in harmony the words "my rock." All members sing homorhythmically near the end of this section. SUBTLE three-part linearity: the bass voice periodically sings a few vocables and is a little more rhythmically active against the lead and background singer's parts.	"My Rock" [00:20-00:36] 00:16
C Two-part linearity: The lead vocalist sings the song's lyrics, supported by the background singers repeating in harmony the words "my rock." All members sing homorhythmically near the end of this section. OBVIOUS three-part linearity: the bass voice is obviously singing more rhythmically at this point against the lead and background singers' parts.	"My Rock" [00:36-01:02] 00:26

An important distinction in quartets from other types of vocal groups is the bass singer. What follows are examples showing the significance of this particular's singer's contribution. The bass singer had a distinct part in the quartet singing style and sang the lead melody. Listen at 01:15 in "Is There Anyone in Heaven"♫ (ca. 1945) by the Dixie Hummingbirds (formed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) from their album Golden Gospel Classics: Featuring Dixie Hummingbirds.

Although the bass singer does not sing the melody in "Straight Street" by the Pilgrim Travelers (of Houston, Texas), he nonetheless periodically inserts some words as well as vocables between phrases. Other exciting aspects of this song include the use of the dominant seventh pitch in their harmony, blue notes, and the 6/8 meter, all of which are instrumental characteristics of blues music. Finally, at 01:04 in the song "Jesus I'll Never Forget"♫ by the Soul Stirrers (of Trinity, Texas), featuring Sam Cooke's voice, the bass singer adds a distinct-sounding rhythmic part to the lead and background singers' parts.

In closing this section, only a few of the hundreds of gospel quartet groups are mentioned that emerged during the golden age of Gospel. Other notable quartets of this time include the Mellowtones of Georgia, Five Blind Boys of Alabama, Five Blind Boys of Mississippi, Harmonizing Four of Virginia, Golden Jubilee Singers of Virginia, and the Selah Jubilee Singers of Texas.

Precious Lord

Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

It's a Highway to Heaven

It's a highway to heaven
None can walk up there
But the pure in heart
It's a highway to heaven
Walking up the king's highway