If you don’t know anything about black gospel music of the 1940s-50s, starting with The Pilgrim Travelers would not be a bad decision to get “baptized”. Along with The Soul Stirrers, The Dixie Hummingbirds and The Golden Gate Quartet, they were one of the most influential of the a capella spiritual. What set them apart was their unique “Walking Rhythm” with the relentless tapping of the singers’ feet supplying the gospel beat to the preaching style of singing and rhythmic harmonies. On the “pulpit” were the fiery voices of Keith Barber, Kylo Turner and Jesse WhItaker, with this two disc, 56 song collection sounding like a revival meeting.
Pieces like “Mother Bowed”, “Straight Street” and “Jesus Met The Woman At The Well” are now part of the canon of spirituals, with “Lord, Hold My Hand” a riveting plea. There’s even a mix of both spiritual and worldly apocalypse on the Cold War-inspired “Jesus Hits Like The Atom Bomb”. If you want to get in the mood on your way to church, put this collection on, and even if the liturgy or worship at your local church up to par, at least you’ll have been sanctified on the drive.