Since the early 20th Century, the gospel quartet tradition has grown beyond measure, as long-time favorites like The Blind Boys of Alabama and The Dixie Hummingbirds expressed themselves in spirituals, hymns, and standards through their energetic vocal exchanges and improvisational skills. In the mid-fifties, The Mighty Clouds of Joy ascended among gospel acts, as evidenced by their remarkable over five-decade journey collaborating alongside superstars outside of gospel including The Rolling Stones. SoulTracks reviewed the Mighty Clouds’ 2010 release At the Revival (Motown Gospel), and the latest Sunday Morning Gems revisits one of that album’s highlights.
Since the early 20th Century, the gospel quartet tradition has grown beyond measure, as long-time favorites like The Blind Boys of Alabama and The Dixie Hummingbirds expressed themselves in spirituals, hymns, and standards through their energetic vocal exchanges and improvisational skills. In the mid-fifties, The Mighty Clouds of Joy ascended among gospel acts, as evidenced by their remarkable over five-decade journey collaborating alongside superstars outside of gospel including The Rolling Stones. SoulTracks reviewed the Mighty Clouds’ 2010 release At the Revival (Motown Gospel), and the latest Sunday Morning Gems revisits one of that album’s highlights.
The trademark gritty voice of Joe Ligon (the last original Mighty Clouds member to pass away in 2016) drops a brief spoken word testimony that establishes “Jesus Kind of Man.” Raphael Saadiq’s sensitive production is full of southern soul nuggets such as the gentle guitar and organ cushions, tied together by a firm rhythmic foundation. And Ligon excels with his heart and blues drenched tenor about his commitment to Jesus as a teenager: “I'm Holy Ghost filled and I'm heading for that promised land/Don't need nobody to tell me that God is real/ I already met Him for myself/And He made a way for me.” Check out “Jesus Kind of Man,” our latest Sunday Morning Gem from the Mighty Clouds of Joy.
By Peggy Oliver