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Flashbacks, Vol. 5, Halleluja 1926-1946, Gospel & Prayers by Various Artists

Label: Trikont Records.
Release Date: 2000.
Releases: 2000, 2005.
Recording Time: 66 minutes.
Recording Date: October 8, 1926 - 1946.

Styles: Black Gospel, Gospel, Traditional Gospel.

The fifth volume in Trikont's Flashbacks series is a 23-track compilation of gospel recordings made between 1926 and 1946. As one would expect, the sound quality is variable, but the songs and performances are almost uniformly excellent. There are lots of familiar names here -- Sister Rosetta Tharpe performs the exalted-but-bemused "Strange Things Happen Every Day," the Golden Gate Quartet sings "My Time Done Come," Reverend J.C. Burnett alternates between preaching and singing on his powerful "The Gospel Train Is Leaving." There is a rare recording by the young Thomas A. Dorsey, who would later become one of the most influential figures in black gospel music, singing his own "If You See My Savior." But some of the best tracks are from obscure figures like Utah Smith and the Charioteers, and one of the album's finest moments is provided by Bessie Smith -- not a singer one would normally associate with gospel music. An interesting and thoroughly enjoyable program. - Review by Rick Anderson

Credits: Elder Charles D. Beck - primary artist; Rev. J.C. Burnett - primary artist; The Charioteers - performer, primary artist; J. Davis - performer, primary artist; The Dixie Hummingbirds - performer, primary artist; Rev. Thomas A. Dorsey - composer, performer, primary artist; Georgia Tom - arranger; Golden Eagle Gospel Singers - performer, primary artist; Golden Gate Quartet - performer, primary artist; The Heavenly Gospel Singers - performer, primary artist; John Johnson - composer; W. Johnson - composer; The Kings of Harmony - primary artist; Mitchell's Christian Singers - performer, primary artist; Kenneth S. Morris - composer; C. Nelson - performer, primary artist; Rev. Sister Mary M. Nelson - primary artist; Georgia Peach & Her Gospel Singers - composer, performer, primary artist; Rev. Utah Smith - composer, performer, primary artist; Bessie Smith - performer, primary artist; The Soul Stirrers - performer, primary artist; Southern Sons - primary artist; Sister Rosetta Tharpe - composer, performer, primary artist; Traditional - composer; Spencer Williams - composer.

Tracks: 1) The Old Ship of Zion - The Roberta Martin Singers; 2) Golden Gate Gospel Train - The Golden Gate Jubilee Quartet; 3) Moan You Mourners - Bessie Smith; 4) Strange Things Happening Every Day - Sister Rosetta Tharpe; 5) Shake Mother's Hand for Me - Golden Eagle Gospel Singers; 6) Little David - Kings Of Harmony; 7) Church, I'm Fully Saved Today - Blind Willie Johnson; 8) Ezekiel Saw The Wheel - Charioteers; 9) Jesus Knows How Much We Can Bear - The Georgia Peach; 10) If You See My Savior - Thomas A. Dorsey; 11) Do Lord Send Me - Georgia Peach & Her Gospel Singers; 12) My Time Done Come - The Golden Gate Quartet; 13) The Prodigal Son - The Heavenly Gospel Singers; 14) Book of the Seven Seals - The Dixie Hummingbirds; 15) The Gospel Train Is Leaving - Rev. J.C. Burnett; 16) Then We'll Need That True Religion - Rev. Edward W. Clayborn; 17) Gabriel - Elder Charles Beck; 18) I Want To Rest - The Soul Stirrers; 19) The Royal Telefon - Sister Mary Nelson; 20) I Want Two Wings - Utah Smith; 21) Lift every voice and sing - The Southern Sons; 22) Them Bones - Mitchell's Christian Singers; 23) My Loved Ones Are Waiting for Me - Sister Clara Hudmon.