Gospel and country go hand in hand, with most of the early singers having one foot in church and the other at the local bar. Johnny Cash’s 1959 album has him with guitarist Al Casey, and he sounds right at home, sermonizing on “Are All God’s Children In” while rockabilly comes on a Sunday with “The Old Account” and “It Was Jesus”. The deep baritone’d Tennessee Ernie Ford sounds like he’s at the pulpit on this 1958 session, pulling out songs from his family hymnal such as “His Eye Is On The Sparrow”, “Nearer, My God To Thee” and “Now The Day Is Over”. Kitty Wells’ 1962 album has her singing and playing guitar on traditional gospel tunes, and sounds led by the Spirit on “The Wings of a Dove” and “That Glory Bound Train”. Hank Snow takes part in a revival for his 1958 album, including some originals like “Alphabet Song” and the heart-grabbing “My Mother” and “I’m Movin’ On To Glory”. The most “modern” of the albums is the 1966 Oak Ridge Boys release, with Sunday morning choir like harmonies on “Our Debts Will Be Paid” and the altar call of “Do You Know Jesus”. Eternal joys.
One of the first tenor saxists to jump from swing to bebop, Wardell Gray’s life was tragically cut short, with only a few albums of his own available to appreciate this important musician. There’s a two part Memorial album with sessions from 1949-53 with a Who’s Who of beboppers including Frank Morgan/as, Larance Marable-Roy Haynes/dr, Al Haig/Sonny Clark/p and Tommy Potter/b. Included are absolute classics like his often-covered “Twisted” and “Farmer’s Market” while his solos on “Sweet Lorraine” and “Sweet and Lovely” were highly influential. Gray also teamed up with proto-bopper Dexter Gordon for one of the most famous “two tenor” duel albums of all time. With Chico Hamilton/dr, Don Bagley/b, Bobby Tucker/p and Conte Condoli/tp, the two tenors go face to face and toe to toe trading jabs and punches on “ The Chase” and “The Steeplechase” for 11-13 minutes before an enthusiastic audience. Another gig in 1948 from Los Angeles has Gray teamed up with Erroll Garner-Arnold Ross/p, Barney Kessel/g, Don Lamond-Jackie Mills/dr, Red Callender/b, Vido Musso/ts and Howard McGhee-Ernie Royal/tp for an electrifying “Sweet Georgia Brown” and “One O’Clock Jump” with Garner almost stealing the show with a gorgeous “Tenderly”. Back when LA was LA.