Review: Famous as the group from which soul singer Lou Rawls launched his solo career, the Pilgrim Travellers were one of the most hard-working and touring gospel groups of the 1950's. This value priced double LP set captures their intensity and fervor, and the sheer force of their conviction. Their intonation and the sound quality of the recording are well above average. Songs such as 'Jesus, I'm Thankful,' 'The Old Rugged Cross' and 'I Want My Crown' are personal and heartfelt testimonials to the power of salvation. Their most popular song, 'Jesus Met The Woman At The Well,' a Southern Spiritual, is an American art form.

Songlist: I Was There When the Spirit Came, Blessed Be The Name, Standing On The Highway, Jesus Hits like the Atom Bomb, I've Got a Mother gove Home, Jesus, I'm Thankful, Straight Street, Mother Bowed, The Old Rugged Cross, Something Within Me, A Soldier's Plea, Satisfied With Jesus, My Old Home, Jesus Met the Woman at the Well, What a Blessing in Jesus I've Found, I Want My Crown, God Shall Wipe all Tears Away, Weary Traveler, I'll Tell It, He Will Remember Me, Lord, Help Me Carry On, Now Lord (Yes, my Lord), Lord, Hold My Hand

Review: The "Better Than That" collection follows the CD compilation of the two "Best of the Pilgrim Travelers" and the first release by the PT in the Legends of Gospel series, "Walking Rhythm;" and it focuses the early to mid-Fifties heyday of this talented all-male quintet. At that time, they were a top draw on the Gospel circuit, booked all over the country. Art Rupe of Specialty Records issued more PT singles over their 10-year relationship than any other group, gospel or pop. "Better" is a generous, comprehensive CD of 28 cuts, including 13 never-before-released cuts. Beginning with their a cappella roots, the group gradually became more accompanied, by organ, piano, guitar, bass, saxophone and drums. Our favorites, of course, are the a cappella numbers: "Please Watch Over Me," "Long Ago (Wooden Church)," "I Never Knew Joy Before," "Leaning On The Everlasting Arm," "I'm Going Through," "How About You?," "I'll Be There (In That Number)," "All The Way (I'm Willing To Run)" and "Your Mother Is Your Friend." This is a great collection by one of the most popular Gospel groups of all time, in their prime!

Songlist: I Could Do Better Than That, Please Watch over Me, Long Ago (Wooden Church), I Never Knew Joy Before, Leaning on the Everlasting Arm, I'm Going Through, How About You?, I'll Be There (In That Number), All the Way (I'm Willing to Run), Your Mother Is Your Friens, Gonna Walk Right Out, Move up to Heaven, What a Friend We Have in Jesus , A Hard Road to Travel, That Lonesome Road, Go Ahead , In My Heart, I Love Jesus , He's My Friend, The Life You Save May Be Your Own (The Salety Song), Troubled in My Home Will Have to End , Every Prayer Will Find Its Answer, Close to Thee, Troubled in Mind, Bless Us Today, Hold On, After While, I Could Do Better Than That

Review: Founded in the early 1930s in Houston during the early 1930s by Joe Johnson and the Davis brothers, the Pilgrims had moved to Los Angeles by 1942, adding two cousins, Kylo Turner and Keith Barber. Between 1947 and 1956, they recorded over a hundred sides for Specialty Records and developed a choreographed, dynamic road show that blew away the competition. There are 29 a cappella spirituals here, from "What Are They Doing (My Lord)," "Good News," the Gospel Boogie "Everybody's Gonna Have A Wonderful Time Up There" and "Nothing Can Change Me (Since I Found The Lord)" to "My Eternal Home," "Footprints of Jesus," "Welcome Home" and "Angels Tell Mother." It's all wonderful, feel good Gospel, some of the best and most authentic we've heard. At the end is a touching plug for Gospel radio station WDIA. "Walking" is a joy! Highly Recommended.

Songlist: What Are They Doing (My Lord), Stretch Out, My Prayer, Good News, Dig A Little Deeper, Everybody's Gonna Have A Wonderful Time Up There (Gospel Boogie), Nothing Can Change Me (Since I Found The Lord), Jesus, Thank You Jesus, What A Friend We Have In Jesus, It's A Blessing, Not A One, He's Pleading In Glory, Jesus Gave Me Water, Jesus, He's The One, King Jesus Will Roll All Burdens Away, My Eternal Home, Pass Me Not Oh Gentle Savior, Footprints of Jesus, When I Join The Jubilee, Call Him By His Name, Welcome Home, My Road's So Rough And Rocky, I Love The Lord, Deliver Me From Evil, Jesus Is The First Line Of Defense, Peace Of Mind, Angels Tell Mother, WDIA Radio Station Plug