Sam Cooke's mentor in the Soul Stirrers was the incredible R. H. Harris, a singer whose influence looms large not just over gospel, but over soul and rock 'n' roll as well. Here are 25 classic Specialty tracks from Harris' heyday, including the incendiary By and By; I'm Still Living on Mother's Prayer; and Jesus Hits Like the Atom Bomb .
N**R
Gospel's Hall of Fame
These are the recordings made by the Soul Stirrers in 1950, with R.H.Harris leading them. While the Soul Stirrers are mostly famous as the group that featured Sam Cooke, I believe that they were more exciting with Harris. The opening song is an amazing 5 minute version of the classic "by and by". Paul Foster and Harris exchange the lead building up to a great emotional climax. The group shows its traditionl "old school" gospel capabilities with "Jesus hits like the atomic bomb" - they can sing in this harmony style as good as any other group - including the Golden Gate Quartet. But the Stirrers were the groundbreaking group for the hard gospel style, immediately followed by groups such as the Blind Boys of Alabama, the Detroiters, and others. All the songs here are great, so full of emotion and musical skill. I think it can be firmly stated that no gospel fan can afford to miss this CD.
C**R
Classic gospel at its best
Pair a legendary R&B label with a legendary gospel group that once claimed Sam Cooke and you get the smooth sound of Black gospel that even non-Christians will find melodic and enjoyable.
R**M
Before Sam Cooke
R.H. Harris has a special quality that when you hear it you will feel it. All 26 recordings are definitely from the heart.
B**I
but the cd itself is fine. Listening to it right now
there was slight damage to the cd case, but the cd itself is fine. Listening to it right now :)
S**I
Soul Stirrers Essential
This is an interesting collection of the vocal gymnastics of R.H. Harris. He had a very agile almost whinning voice that would easily slide up into a high falsetta and back down into his normal range.Just to hear R.H. Harris is worth the CD, but also you hear a younger Paul Foster exchanging with Harris as he did with Cooke and others.Whether it is Cooke, Harris, Johnny Taylor, or someone else they still have that Soul stirrers sound with Foster as the second soloist and the driving background...
B**6
TRUE INNOVATORS
THIS IS R.H. HARRIS AT THE PEAK OF HIS CAREER.ONCE YOU'VE HEARD HIS INCREDIBLE PITCH IT'S NO WONDER SAM COOKE WAS HAND PICKED AS HIS PROTEGE. THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT HE WAS THE INFLUENCE FOR SMOKEY ROBINSON AND EDDIE KENDRICKS. AS A MATTER OF FACT, IT IS THIS GROUP THAT THE TEMPTATIONS GOT THE IDEA OF USING TWIN LEADS FOR ULTIMATE CONTRAST AND FLAVOR.
.**.
Before Sam, but....
If you ever wondered, as I have, how Sam Cook(e) came so fully formed 'out of the box', this cd can help explain. Rebert Harris,(on this record approaching the end of a -13- year stay with the group), is the template from which the young Cook had access to attain his seemingly instant maturity. A must have if you already have the Cook stuff or not.
