For those unaware, The Soul Stirrers were one of the most noted gospel groups of the post-war decades, although they were formed as long ago as the 1930s, becoming one of the innovative groups during the 1940’s who moved from the traditional flatfooted highly arranged quartet style towards the freer hard gospel style of the new era.

They are perhaps most famous for the period during the 1950s when the future soul legend Sam Cooke was with the group and got a hugely significant grounding the business, but among cognoscenti they are equally renowned for this period, when their lead singer was Rebert R.H. Harris, who introduced the swing lead style as two singers exchanged lead vocals to build emotional intensity.

This 48-track 2-CD collection entitled Never Turn Back: The Singles Collection 1940-49 (out now via Acrobat Records) comprises releases on the Bronze, Down Beat, Harlem and 20th Century labels during this era followed by most of their substantial body of recordings made for the Aladdin label from 1947 to 1949 before they joined the Specialty label, and were joined by Sam Cooke.

They were one of the most influential gospel groups of the day and this collection offers, we hope, a substantial, inspiring and uplifting showcase for their bold and distinctive approach to gospel music during what was a golden era for the genre.

This American gospel group were one of the first male quintets and one of the most enduring male groups, in my humble opinion. Several singers emerged from the group’s ranks to become influential rhythm-and-blues and soul singers, most notably the aforementioned Sam Cooke. For the record, no pun intended, the members included S.R. Crain (in full Senior Roy Crain), J.J. Farley, R.H. Harris (Robert H. Harris), Sam Cooke (b. January 22, 1931, Clarksdale, Mississippi, U.S.—d. December 11, 1964, Los Angeles, California), and Johnnie Taylor (b. May 5, 1938, Crawfordsville, Arkansas—d. May 31, 2000, Dallas, Texas).

The Soul Stirrers began singing together in Trinity, Texas, about 1932, recorded for the U.S. Library of Congress in 1936, and added Harris the next year. Influenced by blues singers, Harris demonstrated wide emotional range and became a major influence on other lead singers. The Soul Stirrers sang at the White House for President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill before Harris left in 1950.

His young replacement, Cooke, sang sensual tenor lines with unusual rhythmic freedom and composed songs such as “Nearer to Thee” (1955) and “Touch the Hem of His Garment” (1956) before leaving the group in 1957 to pursue a career in pop music. His replacement, Taylor, sang with Cooke-like melisma before becoming a rhythm-and-blues star. The Soul Stirrers, with further personnel changes, remained active into the 21st century. The pre-Cooke lineup of the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989.

Disc 1:
1. Walk Around 2. He’s My Rock 3. Precious Lord 4. Freedom After Awhile 5. I’ll Never Turn Back 6. Sleep On Mother 7. Well, Well, Don’t Worry ’Bout Me 8. This Friend Of Mine 9. One Moment In God’s Kingdom 10. Lord Will Make a Way 11. Steal Away 12. Remember Me 13. Golden Bells 14. Lord I’ve Tried 15. Elijah 16. His Eye Is On The Sparrow 17. I Want To Rest, Lord, Rest 18. One Day 19. There’ll Be No More Sorrow 20. He Knows How Much We Can Bear 21. Some Day 22. I’m A Soldier In The Army Of The Lord 23. What Could I Do 24. I Thank You Lord 25. You Got To Move

Disc 2:
1. Ride On King Jesus 2. Canaan Land 3. Why I Like Roosevelt Pts. 1 & 2 4. Go Ahead 5. Blessed Quietness 6. All Alone 7. Working On The Building 8. I’m Willing To Run All The Way 9. I Have A Friend Above All Others 10. A Little Talk With Jesus 11. This Is My Prayer 12. Pearl Harbor Pts. 1 & 2 13. Jesus Traveled This Road Before 14. Lift Him Up 15. Glory Glory, Hallelujah 16. Lord Jesus 17. My Life Is In His Hands 18. Silent Night 19. Seek And Ye Shall Find 20. One Of These Days 21. End Of My Journey 22. John Saw The Holy Number 23. My Journey To The Sky 24. Does Jesus Care?

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