Performers of Gospel Music and Their Techniques: Vocal Groups 2
The Caravans from the South Side of Chicago, originally consisting of five women and one man, developed into a prominent vocal group during the 1950s and 60s. Emerging as a powerful force in gospel music, its line-up throughout the years has included Shirley Caesar, Albertina Walker, Dorothy Norwood, and Bessie Griffin. All of them became successful soloists and leaders of other groups. In this video, they are at a live performance in 1963 performing I Won't Be Back No More" from Hootenanny, a TV variety show from 1963 to 1964 that featured famous artists of the day. The energetic lead voice of Shirley Caesar with four singers providing responsorial passages accompanied by piano illustrates many characteristics and performance practices already discussed before.
SATN RUBIN & THE CARAVANS 1963 from HOOTENANNY [ 00:00-00:00 ]
Vocal groups or those groups with four or more members have the advantage of being able to present their music in several ways. Examples of some of these are seen and heard in the live recording of the Dorothy Norwood Singers performing (I Kept On) Searchin'." Watch the video here while reviewing the following music characteristics and performance practices.
"Searchin' "- The Dorothy Norwood Singers [ 00:00-00:00 ]
First, the group leader or spokesperson will often introduce the song by giving a testament and its relationship to the title. In this video, Dorothy Norwood, the leader, does just that. Regarding vocal groups' varied ways of presenting a song, the four women's performance starts with two singers performing, in the first two verses, the lyrics/melody in a homorhythmic manner and sung within their chest voice. At the same time, the remaining two members provide syncopated handclapping. Moreover, while the duet is signing the melody, the remaining two members (background singers) sporadically sing a single word such as "yeah," which functions as an affirmation to the lead singer's lyrics. In the third verse, the melody is then sung solo by one of the duet members. Very similar to what was heard in "Travelin' Shoes" by The Clara Ward Singers, the group presents lyrics in a corroborative manner. At times, the background singers sing longer phrases while the soloist inserts only a few words. Near the middle of the song, a different soloist, Dorothy Norwood, presents the lyrics by acting them out, such as looking around as if searching and walking rhythmically as the word walking is sung. To engage the congregants or audience into gospel music's spirit and emotion, Dorothy Norwood takes her performance to them by shaking hands, moving more rhythmically, thus exciting the audience further.
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
Precious Lord
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home