Led by Margaret Wells Allison, the Philadelphia bred Angelic Gospel Singer were one of the most long lasting and consistent female gospel groups from their founding in 1944 until Allison’s death in 2008. This two disc, 51 song collection covers their material from 1949-1962, including their million selling 1949 rendition of “Touch Me, Lord Jesus”, which still gets you rolling down the aisles.
The quartet was unique in that not only did they established themselves as a formidable gospel group in the “jubilee” style, but they slowly and gradually got looser and more “spirited” in their later recordings. The original team of Allison and sister Josephine McDowell along with friends Ella Mae Norris and Lucille Shird mix supporting harmonies and festive lead testimonies on songs lie “Do Lord Remember Me” and “Almost Persuaded”. Things really get rocking on “God’s Roll” and “Only A Look” as the team sounds almost R&B-ish. The ladies stretch out on a two part “I’m Getting Nearer” that is both sophisticated and inspired, and they carve out a pathway for “soul” singers like Aretha Franklin in 1962’s “Be Sure, He’ll Take Care”. Good news messengers, indeed!