Highway QCs, The
Where He Leads MeThe Highway Q.C's Label: Charly SNAP189CD Price: £ 4.89 (£4.25 outside EU)
28 highlights from the one of the finest groups from gospel’s golden era, featuring the emotion-stirring vocals of Johnnie Taylor. Many of the great post-war gospel groups served as launching pads for the careers of major secular pop stars and the Highway QC’s were no exception. Formed in 1945, Sam Cooke, Lou Rawls and Johnnie Taylor all graced the group’s ranks during the Fifties. By the time The Highway QC’s made their debut for Vee -Jay in 1955, Sam Cooke and Lou Rawls had moved on, but Johnnie Taylor’s effortlessly, floating tenor was present on the group’s early sessions and is heard soaring, whooping and moaning on several of these highlights from the group’s nine-year tenure with Vee-Jay, during which they recorded their finest sides.When Johnnie Taylor left the group in 1957, his place was taken by Spencer Taylor (no relation), another emotion-stirring lead singer, who was to remain as the group’s leader, having resisted the temptations of a secular career. The introduction of back-up musicians to their sound when they joined Vee-Jay further enhanced their heavenly harmony style. The heady mix of a-cappella and accompanied singing, traditional spirituals and modern gospel, can be heard to great effect in this collection of 28 highlights from their golden era.
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