The Pilgrim Travelers were a gospel group founded in Texas in the 1930s, who modelled themselves on groups like The Soul Stirrers and Golden Gate Quartet. They achieved popularity after moving to Los Angeles in 1942, where their new manager, J. W. Alexander, helped fashion a new style influenced by the likes of The Soul Stirrers and The Golden Gate Quartet.
Under the direction of Alexander, they developed their own style known as “Walking Rhythm”, with the microphone picking up the percussive sound of their foot-tapping, to go along with their extrovert “church-wrecking” style of ‘live’ performances. The Travelers traded the lead between Kylo Turner, a baritone with the same facility as a note-bending falsetto as R.H. Harris of The Soul Stirrers, and Keith Barber who changed from being a sweet-voiced tenor to a hard gospel shouter under Alexander's direction.
They added Jesse Whitaker as a baritone in 1947. This 56-track 2CD collection comprises selected A and B sides of their releases on the Specialty label during this era, and features many of their most renowned recordings, including Now Lord (Yes, My Lord), Jesus, Thank You Jesus, Jesus Met The Woman At The Well, Mother Bowed and Wonderful Time Up There. At the peak of their success, Barber was involved in a 1950 auto accident which left his voice ravaged and they gradually fell apart in the 1950s.
While the group continued to tour and record, their popularity waned, however a version of the group still remains active today. This collection, which spans the era when they were at the height of their powers, captures the spirit and style of their very particular and distinctive approach to gospel performance.
TRACKS
Disc 1 |
|
|
Track |
Title |
Artist |
1 |
I’m Standing On The Highway |
The Pilgrim Travelers And Their “Walkin’ Rhythm” |
2
|
I’ll Tell It |
The Pilgrim Travelers And Their “Walkin’ Rhythm” |
3 |
Everyone's Gonna Have A Wonderful Time |
The Pilgrim Travelers |
4 |
Stretch Out |
The Pilgrim Travelers |
5 |
He Will Remember Me |
Pilgrim Travelers |
6 |
Good News |
Pilgrim Travelers |
7 |
My Prayer |
The Pilgrim Travelers And Their Walkin’ Rhythm Spirituals |
8 |
Jesus Travels |
The Pilgrim Travelers |
9 |
Mother Bowed |
The Pilgrim Travelers |
10 |
Jesus |
The Pilgrim Travelers |
11 |
Thank You Jesus |
The Pilgrim Travelers |
12 |
Now Lord (Yes, My Lord) |
The Pilgrim Travelers |
13 |
Jesus Met The Woman At The Well |
The Pilgrim Travelers |
14 |
My Eternal Home |
The Pilgrim Travelers |
15 |
Jesus Is The Only One |
The Pilgrim Travelers |
16 |
Nothing Can Change Me (Since I Found The Lord) |
The Pilgrim Travelers |
17 |
Jesus Hits Like The Atom Bomb |
The Pilgrim Travelers |
18 |
Something Within Me |
The Pilgrim Travelers |
19 |
The Old Rugged Cross |
The Pilgrim Travelers |
20 |
Call Him By His Name |
The Pilgrim Travelers |
21 |
God Should Wipe Away All Tears |
The Pilgrim Travelers |
22 |
I Love The Lord |
The Pilgrim Travelers |
23 |
My Road's So Rough And Rocky |
The Pilgrim Travelers |
24 |
I Was There When The Spirit Came |
The Pilgrim Travelers |
25 |
Satisfied With Jesus |
The Pilgrim Travelers |
26 |
He's Pleading In Glory |
The Pilgrim Travelers |
27 |
I've Got My Mother Gone Home |
The Pilgrim Travelers |
28 |
Welcome Home |
The Pilgrim Travelers |
Disc 2 |
|
|
Track |
Title |
Artist |
1 |
Angels Tell Mother |
Pilgrim Travelers |
2 |
Lord, Hold My Hand |
Pilgrim Travelers |
3 |
Long Ago (Wooden Church) |
Pilgrim Travelers |
4 |
When I Join The Jubilee |
Pilgrim Travelers |
5 |
Deliver Me From Evil |
Pilgrim Travelers |
6 |
Leaning On The Everlasting Arm |
Pilgrim Travelers |
7 |
How About You |
Pilgrim Travelers |
8 |
Blessed Be The Name |
Pilgrim Travelers |
9 |
Move Up To Heaven |
Pilgrim Travelers |
10 |
I’ll Be Home For Christmas |
Pilgrim Travelers |
11 |
A Hard Road To Travel |
The Pilgrim Travelers |
12 |
My Old Home |
The Pilgrim Travelers |
13 |
Gonna Walk Right Out |
Pilgrim Travelers |
14 |
I’ve Got A New Home |
Pilgrim Travelers |
15 |
Go Ahead |
Pilgrim Travelers |
16 |
Lead Me! Guide Me! |
Brother Joe May and the Pilgrim Travelers |
17 |
In My Heart |
The Pilgrim Travelers |
18 |
Old Time Religion |
Brother Joe May & the Pilgrim Travelers |
19 |
It Is No Secret |
The Pilgrim Travelers |
20 |
Look Down That Lonesome Road |
The Pilgrim Travelers |
21 |
Weary Traveler |
The Pilgrim Travelers |
22 |
Straight Street |
The Pilgrim Travelers |
23 |
Did You Stop To Pray This Morning |
The Pilgrim Travelers |
24 |
It Don't Cost Very Much |
Brother Joe May & the Pilgrim Travelers |
25 |
Troubled In Mind |
The Pilgrim Travelers |
26 |
Close To Thee |
The Pilgrim Travelers |
27 |
Bless Us Today |
The Pilgrim Travelers |
28 |
Hold On |
The Pilgrim Travelers |