The Delta Rhythm Boys: Voices swingin' the Word
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Rock'n'Roll was hardly the 'Devil's Music' harrumphing 1950s criticasters assailed it as being. From its genesis, our rollick internalized tent-revivalism's whirling dervish, but owed also to melodic spiritualizing.
It's always been as much about expression as emotion.
Among gospel serenaders whose joyful labors fed into the nascent musical form were 1934 Oklahoma-germinated Delta Rhythm Boys. (Shortly following their coalescence, they moved to Louisiana.) The sonorous Jubilee quartet would eventually scale 1941 charts with "Dry Bones." They minted the half-step progressions and regressions since associated with the song. The Boys' rendition enjoyed showcases in 15 films, including 1955's Rock'n'Roll Revue.
A reasonable assumption is that any professional competitiveness between the Delta Rhythm Boys and other 'Golden Age of Gospel' vocal groups -- for instance, the Golden Gate Quartet, Soul Stirrers, Swan Silvertones, and Dixie Hummingbirds -- was friendly in nature. They did, after all, work for the same Boss.
1960's Swingin' Spirituals (Coral) was only one of the foursome's recordings. But its 12 cuts into thick vinyl portrayed the Boys' excellent gifts from the Lord, as well as their devotion to Him and dedication to spreading His sublime Word.
Alongside "Dry Bones," further executive renderings proclaimed the glories that await all who seek them. "So High, So Low, So Wide" and "Joshua Fit De Battle of Jericho" found the group's eminent singers snapped to attention and evincing the polished, respectful manner appropriate.
The endeavor demanded Class with a capital C.
Between those two, "Great Gettin' Up Mornin'" combined latin percussion with a smoother-than-smooth chorus, against which a bass voice boomed "Fair thee well!" to forsaken sinners of all stripes.
"Sit Down" featured a chorusers / basso profundo exchange:
"What are you doing out of your seat?"
"I just got to Heaven, gotta look all around!"
"What are you doing on the Golden Street?"
"I just got to Heaven, gotta walk around!"
It was exactly fitting that the rapturous quartet received accompaniment by what were doubtlessly some of the finest musicians available. In fact, every facet of Swingin' Spirituals -- voices upraised in praise, instrumentation nonpareil, and production fit for the august undertaking -- rang loudly and proudly of sanctified soldiers in God's Great Army.
Numerous similarly reverential waxings followed, as did further worldwide acclaim. In later years, and after undergoing several personnel permutations (noted members went to their rewards), the Delta Rhythm Boys relocated to European climes.
And in 1987, the curtain descended for the final time.
But the Delta Rhythm Boys' tones were so aburst with Divine resonance; their wondrous tones -- preserved on vinyl and in film footage -- still have the effect of shaking away temporal woes and delivering up a Gospel-abundant horn of plenty from which joyful belief speaks.
We need but listen.
Videos: "Dry Bones" "Great Gettin' Up Mornin'" "Joshua Fit De Battle of Jericho" "Sit Down" (live 1968) "Great Gettin' Up Mornin'"
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