The great Albertina Walker’s Caravans were the all-stars of gospel music. More amazing soloists passed through the ranks of this group at different times than any other aggregation I can think of ... from 1958 to 1966 they included James Cleveland, Shirley Caesar, Cassieta George, Dorothy Norwood, Inez Andrews, Bessie Griffin and many more.
The group released several “greatest hits collections,” with memorable songs like “Freedom,” “Oh Lord, Remember Me,” “The Angels Keep Watching Over Me,” “I Know Who Holds Tomorrow” and others.
Of course, when you have that many wonderful singers coming and going, there really is no distinctive Caravans sound. During the group’s heyday, they did a little of everything – acapella spirituals, hard gospel, doo-wop, old Chicago gospel and, every now and then, something a little more current. Here’s the Caravans putting their gospel-ized spin on Jackie DeShannon’s big pop it, “Put a Little Love in Your Heart.”
MUSIC: “Put a Little Love in Your Heart,” Albertina Walker and the Caravans 45
I’m Robert Darden … “Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments” is produced by KWBU, the Black Gospel Music Preservation Program at Baylor University Libraries and is funded by generous support from the Prichard Foundation.
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