Various Artists - Lord Have Mercy (Audio CD, Mar 17, 2017)

27 track compilation exploring the gospel output of Chess’ sister label, ‘Lord Have Mercy’ shines a light on the often gritty, funky end of the Gospel sounds of the early to mid 60s. Charlie Brown’s ‘The World Is Watching’ is a galloping funker that barely registers on the Gospel scale while the haunting ‘Bless me’ from the Inspirational Singers sits at the other end, bordering on weird gear! Stevie Hawkins’ ‘Same Old Bag’ again takes its lead from southern funk, The Meditation Singers’ gritty ‘I’ve Done Wrong’ is punctuated by soaring call and response vocals, The Violinaires’ ‘Trying To get Ready’ is an uplifting, pacey handclapper, the slow burner ‘Soon I Will be Done’ by East St. Louis Gospelettes is a gem while the Meditations’ ‘It’s Wrong To Fight’ has seen plays on the Northern Scene. Lots of good tracks here that show the soul, funk and blues influences on groups rooted in gospel but straining at the leash!

Condition:NEW.

TRACK LISTINGS

1 2morrow
2 Black and Blue
3 Like Madonna
4 Introduction
5 Pray
6 Shine In
7 100 Bandz
8 Try Us
9 No Time
10 Somebody (Remix)
11 Don't Think They Know Me
12 The End