Van Morrison

As reviewer David Fricke from Rolling Stone once wrote, “More than just an album title, Inarticulate Speech of the Heart is an evocative, breathtaking description of the humble act of prayer.” Not only is Van Morrison’s 1983 album full of jubilant Celtic spiritualism, but also gives the listener a feeling of depth and space with its impressive instrumentation. Each track on the album is an original and while not playing every instrument, Morrison does add an impressive guitar, piano, and saxophone to the sessions.

Despite the fact this release was without a hit single, the album’s first track, Higher Than the World remains one of many great songs. Here, Morrison's fiery vocal delivery is perfectly complemented over easy-flowing keyboards. All-in-all, the whole album is highly recommended.

Sources: Miltiadis Fragkidis + Hubblesite + Wikipedia + Rolling Stone

Silver Leaf Quartette of Norfolk spiritual

The widely popular Silver Leaf Quartette of Norfolk was formed in 1919. Helped by singing over radio stations that covered the greater New York area, they gained a legion of fans throughout the urban centers of the Northeast and in particular New York City. In 1927, the singers began semiannual spring tours of northern cities that continued for around six years.

Their major break came in 1928, when OKeh Records signed the group to record some of their most popular numbers. With this opportunity, the Silver Leaf Quartette recorded the spiritual, “Daniel Saw The Stone.” It’s available as part of the Discography of American Historical Recordings.

In 1947, the Silver Leaf Quartette was booked long-term at Virginia Beach’s exclusive Cavalier Hotel, where they were billed as the Cavalier Singers. By this time, both William Thatch and William Boush had already dropped out of the original group. However, quartet singing was so popular throughout the late 1950s that the group reunited for local church engagements.

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Sources: Gloryland Gospel Blog + Paul Gilmore

Way Beyond the Blue

This old time spiritual and children’s song “Do Lord,” will be remembered by many from their childhood. Johnny Cash preformed it on ‘My Mother's Hymn Book’ in 2003, toward the very end of his life.

Surely the hymn’s title and meaning can be understood in Luke 23:39-43, where a discussion takes place between two criminals and Jesus at the crucifixion... One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And Jesus said to this man, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

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Image Sources: Wallpaper Abyss + Anton Atanasov