Bud Tutmarc - Sacred Hawaiian Melodies (Sacred Productions, LPS-7-6027)

"Whenever lovers of Sacred music think of Hawaiian-style melodies and electric steel guitars, they think of Sol Hoopii. Since that renknowned Hawaiian music-maker has been called to Heaven, his mantle seems to have fallen upon Bud Tutmarc, Seattle, Washington...and accomplished musician...a fervent Christian layman...Bud was a long-time friend of Sol Hoopii, and learned many of the great master's techniques. He is at his best in this album, providing Hawaiian-style music that is both artistically beautiful and spiritually inspiring." - Phil Kerr, back cover

"In 1942, Bud met the famous Hawaiian artist Sol Hoopii. They became close friends and appeared together often in public performances. Bud was present at the bedside at the time of Sol's death where Sol willed his own personal instrument to Bud." -back cover

Currently slowing my roll to these mellow "Hawaiian" electric relaxations from Bud Tutmarc & guitar. Perfect reverbs for this blue monday or a Sunday morning coming down. Sacred Hawaiian Melodies is one of a handful of rewarding Portland thrift scores made just last week. 320 vinyl rip by yours truly. Enjoy.



DL: Bud Tutmarc - Sacred Hawaiian Melodies (Sacred Productions, LPS-7-6027) *Re-upped 7/20/12


A1 My Beautiful King Of King (Hoopii)
A2 In Love With The Lover Of My Soul (Kerr)
A3 End Of The Trail (Hoopii)
A4 He Hideth My Soul (Kirkpatrick)
A5 After (Clarke)
A6 When They Ring The Golden Bells (DeMarbelle)
B1 Be Ready (Hoopii)
B2 Hold My Hand (Main)
B3 Nail Scarred Hand (McKinney)
B4 One Master (Davidson)
B5 No One Ever Cared (Weigle)
B6 Melody Divine (Kerr)

PS- THANK YOU so much for your helpful and encouraging donations, friends. Its been a boon in more ways that I can even say. For those of you who've lent some pennies, be on the lookout for a special snail mail thank you in the coming weeks. And for inquiring minds, it looks like I'm about a quarter of the way toward the most important upgrades; Turntable & Laptop, items which will doubtless serve to increase the quality and quantity of the uploads offered right here. You folks are really the best. I mean that from the bottom of my heart.

And to contributors with re-up requests: Expect an email in the next two two days. (My weekend starts tomorrow)

Jah bless....

(V/A) -- Christ Was Born On Christmas Morn (Historical, 1971 **HLP-34)

"It is almost axiomatic that religion finds its most eloquent expression in the lives of those peoples who are systematically exploited and whose greatest hopes lie in the promise of a future life free of injustice." (Richard Spottswood, cover notes)

1971 LP collection of pre-war gospel perfections. With the recent cultural enthusiasm for all things "American Primitive", most, if not all, of these cuts have since resurfaced in various collections from the likes of Document, Dust-To-Digital (+), Revenant etc. This record still stands as a crucial artifact, and the depth & power of its music no doubt speaks for itself. If you don't know it, Mother's Prayer is just astounding. Dick Spottswood pens the cover notes, here. As a personal rule, I will immediately grip anything that has that fellow's name on it. 320 vinyl rip by yours truly. Enjoy.



DL: (V/A) -- Christ Was Born On Christmas Morn (Historical, 1971 **HLP-34)

Cotton Top Mountain Sanctified Singers (featuring Frankie Half-Pint Jaxon and Punch Miller)
- Christ Was Born On Christmas Morn
- She's Coming 'Round The Mountain

Blind Willie Johnson
- The Soul Of A Man
- Take Your Stand

Blind Mamie Forehand & A.C. Forehand
- Wouldn't Mind Dying If Dying Was All
- Mothers Prayer
- I'm So Glad Today, Today

Laura Henton
- He's Coming Soon

Blind Willie McTell
- We Got To Meet Death One Day
- Ain't It Grand To Be A Christian
- Lay Some Flowers On My Grave

Arizona Dranes
- He Is My Story
- I Shall Wear A Crown

Edward W. Clayborn
- Jesus Will Make It Allright

Rooseveldt Graves & Brother
- I'll Be Rested (When The Roll Is Called)
- Wake Up This Morning (With My Mind On Jesus)

America.

Never forget 9/11's worst music video.

This Paul Simon performance at today's NYC 9/11 memorial, however, is the real thing.

As for my part, I'm right now remembering that I had a noon radio show on WXJM back on Sept. 11. Was unsure what to do with it, so I played this prewar gospel disc & John Fahey's America while I watched the news. It was the only music on the fm dial.

The Gospel:


America:

V.A - God Give Me Light 1927-1931: Sanctified Vol. 2 (Herwin 203 *1972)

Outstanding 78rpm gospel collection from Herwin Records, featuring knockout performances from a handful of both black and white sanctified singers of the day. As the liner notes say: "Unfortunately, very little is known about the artists in this album." I do know that I recommend it, highly. 320 vinyl rip by yours truly. Enjoy.



(V.A) God Give Me Light 1927-1931: Sanctified Vol. 2 (Herwin 203 *1972)

A1 Holy Ghost Sanctified Singers – Thou Carest Lord For Me
A2 Holy Ghost Sanctified Singers – When I Get Inside The Gate
A3 Elder Richard Bryant's Sanctified Singers – Lord, Lord He Sure Is Good To Me
A4 Elder Richard Bryant's Sanctified Singers – Come Over Here
A5 Ernest Phipps And His Holiness Quartet – If The Light Has Gone Out In Your Soul
A6 Ernest Phipps And His Holiness Quartet – Bright Tomorrow
A7 Louisville Sanctified Singers – God Give Me Light
A8 Louisville Sanctified Singers – So Glad I'm Here
B1 Holy Ghost Sanctified Singers – Sinner, I'd Make A Change
B2 Holy Ghost Sanctified Singers – Jesus Throwed Up A Highway For Me
B3 Elder Richard Bryant's Sanctified Singers – How Much I Owe For Love Divine
B4 Elder Richard Bryant's Sanctified Singers – Watch Ye, Therefore, You Know Not The Day
B5 Elder Curry – Memphis Flu
B6 Leader Cleveland – Babylon Is Falling Down
B7 Leader Cleveland – Way Beyond The Blue
B8 Ernest Phipps And His Holiness Quartet* – Jesus Is Getting Us Ready For That Great Day

The Mighty Clouds of Joy- Family Circle (Peacock, PLP 114)

Contemporary gospel's preeminent group, the Mighty Clouds of Joy carried the torch for the traditional quartet vocal style throughout an era dominated by solo acts and choirs; pioneering a distinctively funky sound which over time gained grudging acceptance even among purists, they pushed spiritual music in new and unexpected directions, even scoring a major disco hit. The Mighty Clouds of Joy were formed in Los Angeles during the mid-'50s by schoolmates Joe Ligon and Johnny Martin; while still in their teens, the original group -- which also included brothers Ermant and Elmo Franklin, Leon Polk and Richard Wallace -- made their recorded debut in 1960 with "Steal Away to Jesus," cut for the Peacock label. Their debut LP Family Circle arrived a year later. In the years that followed, the Mighty Clouds earned a reputation among gospel's greatest showmen; one of the first groups to incorporate choreographed moves into their act, their nimble footwork and bright, color-coordinated outfits earned them the sobriquet "The Temptations of Gospel." More importantly, they were the first group to add bass, drums and keyboards to the standard quartet accompaniment of solo guitar, resulting in a sound which horrified traditionalists but appealed to younger listeners -- so much so, in fact, that the Mighty Clouds became the first gospel act ever to appear on television's Soul Train, where they performed their disco smash "Mighty High." (Allmusic)

The debut LP from the Mighty Clouds. If Allmusic has its release year ship-shape, then my copy would be a 1973 repress for ABC/Dunhill. Label scans twill follow, maybe tonight. 320 vinyl rip by yours truly. Enjoy.



Download Link: The Mighty Clouds of Joy- Family Circle (Peacock, PLP 114 *1973) *Re-upped 7/20/12

1. Family Circle 2:49
2. Lord Hold My Hand 2:27
3. Judgement Day 2:31
4. By Faith 2:59
5. My Precious King 2:35
6. Glory Hallelujah 2:52
7. I Came To Jesus 2:26
8. Nearer to Thee 3:00
9. Meeting Tonight 2:32
10. How I Found the Lord 2:19
11. Amazing Grace 3:03
12. You'll Never Know 3:05

The Echoes of Zion- The Sound of Spirituals (Smash, MGS 27006)

"The Echoes of Zion Gospel Singers have been called "The South's Favorite Sons." This new album of gospel songs, "The Sound of Spirituals," should certainly prove they deserve such recognition. Their inspiring presentation of these selections is like a guiding light in the darkness for those who feel the terrible uncertainty of the times. There is an expression of dedication and great devotion from their fine renditions of these favorite gospel songs that is easily felt by all who listen. You will surely feel your own beliefs strengthened after hearing the great faith expressed in these songs. (Back cover)

An inspired and inspiring 1961 set from the amazing Echoes of Zion Gospel Singers of Atlanta, GA. Knowing from where and when these songs have come, one can't help but recognize their very real context amidst the struggle for Black American Civil Rights: sit-ins, Freedom Rides, church bombings and the forthcoming March on Washington with Dr. King. This is powerful music. Mono pressing.



Download Link: The Echoes of Zion- The Sound of Spirituals (Smash, MGS 27006) 320 vinyl rip by yours truly.

1. When Jesus Comes
2. Who Art Thou
3. Tell God
4. Sun Will Never Go Down
5. Lost In Sin
6. Walk Right In
7. Wilderness
8. Jesus
9. So Good


*Also of note: Here are a couple of great vintage gospel LP collections that have been released very very recently...

V/A Noah Found Grace: "Amazing stuff, never before anthologized! This compilation collects Jamaican gospel music from the '60s + '70s. We guarantee you've never heard anything like this." Now available via membership in Mike McGonigal's new Social Music Record Club. Hint to Portlanders- you may be able to find this record (in EXTREMELY LIMITED numbers) and others from the club floating around Mississippi Records circa now. As I've personally promised Mike I wouldn't post from this LP (he sent me the WAV's himself, and besides- digital copies of SMRC releases are available with membership on their day of release), that might be the only way you're going to get this record short of ponying up $99 for membership- which is worth it anyway. Check it:





One of Mississippi Records' latest LPs is In The Storm So Long (MSR 066) [now available], a rocking collection of raw, electrified numbers from Savannah, GA's prolific Pitch/ Gusman Records, and licensed from the good folks over at Fat Possum/ Big Legal Mess. I have opted not to post a vinyl rip of this one, as all of the tracks appear to be available on FP's 3xCD Pitch/Gusman label retrospective:

The Pitch/Gusman Records Story (Fat Possum, 2010)

Amen.