The mid-40s through the 1950s has come to be regarded as the Golden Age of African-American Gospel music. Specialty Records, founded by Art Rupe in 1946 was one of the first companies to nurture this creative flowering, and it remained at the forefront of the genre. The Pilgrim Travelers, the Soul Stirrers, Sister Wynona Carr, Brother Joe May, Dorothy Love Coates and the Original Gospel Harmonettes, the Original Blind Boys of Alabama, and the Swan Silvertones are a few of the giants of the Golden Age discovered and featured by Art Rupe on Specialty. "Get On Board" has 24 Gospel hits, all accompanied, most of which highlight Dorothy's Rockin' Soul, foot-tapping Revival-style leads, and her Harmonettes sing sweet and solid background harmonies. On stage Dorothy would leap and lunge, a ferociously animated performer and an astonishing lyricist who composed a dozen Gospel standards. A few favorites are "Get Away Jordan," "Rest for the Weary," "Deliver Me," "No Hiding Place" (which was featured in the movie "Ghost'"), "Old Gospel Train," "Plenty Good Room," "Waiting for Me," "I Wouldn't Mind Dying," the title tune and the final cut "That's Enough," but every cut here is an inspiration and a revelation. We look upon Dorothy Love Coates as an early Aretha, who also began her career singing Gospel, and if you love authentic Gospel, Get On Board this one! |