You didn't warn me, Rowoches. lol I didn't know they were going to break it off like that. Malvilyn made me spill my coffee. lol Sista broke it OFF ! ! They were jamming. I'm about to watch it again (for the 4th time). You are the man, Rowoches.
All I can say is LORD HAVE MERCY. When I saw this clip, I was like I never saw any other Gospel Singer perform this classic old hymn the way these ladies performed it. This was way before my time but I love history. Yes I love the way that they started out as Worship and then quickly took us to Church. I am a future Gospel Singer and I will definitly get some other singers together to perform this old classic Gospel song the old fashion radical Praise Break way 100%. AMEN.
Rowoches Yes I understand you very well. Now GOD knows I don't want to reveal my age, but I noticed that you said that this was a little over 20 years prior to your birth. Well this was for me a little over 30 years prior to my birth because I wasn't born until the early 1970's and that is all I'm going to say on that note, " I won't go any farther than that." That is the statement that the older saints used to say LOL. But it's all good and I will surely remake this Classic song someday. I was born in the Sanctified HolyGhost Holiness Church & this is Church for me 100%.
Sho'nuff!! I like how Geraldine Jones just stands to the side clapping, almost as if she's cheering them on. LOL! Nobody could shout like Malvilyn! And Vermettya got them QUICK feet! Adele is so sophisticated!
One of my fave Clara Ward clips on RU-vid..Such a dynamic performing style, one that I don't associate with other gospel performers from the Golden Era.
Thank you for posting this. I used to live to hear the Clara Ward Singers on Sat nite on Hullabaloo in the early 60's. I have been a big fan for the last 55 years, there is none like this! This ol' white boy was changed forever because of groups like Clara Ward & singers like Mahalia Jackson, Rev. Jas. Cleveland, The Soul Stirrers, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, The Swan Silvertones on and on....
As I mentioned to a couple of people before, I have an episode of the Mike Douglas Show where Clara DOES shout and she fit RIGHT in with Malvilyn and Vermettya! (smile). Then after they ended the song, Mike Douglas came over and started shouting with them. Clara and Mike were both out of breath afterwards. It was something to see.
@17mark1717: Wikipedia has sum accurate information, but really isn't a valid source when doing research; anyone can add to the site. She did drink & she did have several strokes, but as Willa Ward always says, "If Clara would've listened to the doctors, she would still be here." The doctors told her to stop singing so hard. As with many singers who are dedicated, they just can't give up their passion of singing. It would be great to see a movie about Clara! May I be in it? LOL!
My daddy had an LP of Clara Ward that we played until it was worn out and STILL play. They were so dynamic and explosive. They took charge of the atmosphere. They just rocked it! INCREDIBLE!!!
I can't sell it, however, you can find this on a DVD-set titled, THE BEST OF THE HOOTENANNY, as well as the footage of Marion Williams & the Stars of Faith singing "Packin Up" and "Live The Life I Sing About."
That's the difference. Marion Williams had one gold tooth, but that was way after she left the Ward Singers. Clara, from some of the pics and videos I have, had at most 2 at the same time. GERTRUDE WARD had a whole row of golds at the top and I'm not exaggerating. LOL!
Because its Black History Month ? These RADICAL SISTERS get my vote for having the BOLDNESS to REAP where THEY DIDN'T SOW !To let there HAIR DOWN in a TIME & PLACE of unrest , was Awsome
This clip was used in the documentary "Rejoice and Shout". I saw it this past Saturday at the West End Cinema in DC... a must see for lovers of Gospel music!
Now that's what you call "Happy Feet"!! My mom told me this was my grnadmother's favorite gospel group. Thanks for making our night with all of your Clara Ward posts!!
I just don't understand. The Ward Singers clearly put forth moments that are timeless. The Caravans seemed to be more concerned with religious perception. The Caravans were more regimented and disciplined, but the Ward singers did exactly what gospel singers are here to do--reach the soul where nothing else can.
There are many arrangements of the song. "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," "Swing Down Chariot," etc. The Clara Ward Singers just do one of the many arrangements.
Hey guys, they did Didn't It Rain and Old Landmark on Hootenanny. I also have them doing I'm A Soldier on Hootenanny. This recording here is at SMU in Texas in 1967. Marion Williams and the Stars of Faith were also there that day.
LOL! You are funny! Yes, all of them are still living. Yes, that's Malvilyn, on the end, is still living. The lady next to her is Vermettya Royster, and she's still living out in California. The one next to her is Adele Schofield, and she's still living out in Cali. The one on the opposite end is Geraldine Jones, and from what I know, she's still alive also.
@saintben2008 Both of these groups were "regimented and disciplined". If you think that the shouting shown here is spontaneous, you are mistaken. It was very much a part of their act..
Alright Rowoches, here you go out-doing yourself again! My favorite spiritual of all time, with the possible exception of "Deep River". Of course Clara Ward makes it high-octane. I love it when Ms. Statham passes the tambourine to Clara so she can step on. I'm guessing by this point Clara was the oldest of the lineup, and a little beyond that kind of dancing lol! Gosh...this is just mmmmh mmmmh good :) !!!
I consider what Clara did on the Flip Wilson Show "jumping." That wasn't even close to what Clara did on that episode of the Mike Douglas Show. Now, she never down-right shuffled her feet like Malvilyn Statham, Madeline Thompson, Mildred Means, or Vermettya Royster....she never swooped down and around like Viola Crowley, but she surely wasn't prissy like Agnes Jackson. Clara was doing her little '2-step' and spinning in circles...looking so adorable (smile).
Clara was a older than the others, but she was still young. She really didn't do a lot of shouting like the other members did...on all of the footage that I have of her, she was a bit reserved, while the other girls went to town. LOL!
SHE was THEE ONE when I was a kid & had her own TV Show that ROCKED the tube`s in the set till they GLOWED & were made HOLY ! I`m So HAPPY She`s On Now . R.I.P. Sister
Dwayne! I watch this over and over. I'm gonna get me a group and just bite all this off of Clara Ward! YOU WATCH ME! LOL! If I dare say I have a favorite CWS singer, it would be Malvilyn Statham with her great smile, bad tamborine, and that nasty foot work! I LOVE IT!
Yes, this is from the Hootenanny TV show. I am definitely too young to remember them on the shows, but I can say that I've been fortunate enough to see some footage from a few of them. Just Awesome!
Yep! It's from the Hootenanny TV show. I am definitely too young to remember them on the shows, but I can say that I've been fortunate enough to see some footage from a few of them.
PLEASE, asking again, anyway to post: Bessie Griffin and the Gospel Pearls: Swing Low Sweet Chariot from their album of same name?? I gave my album away years ago and still LOVE that song and their rendition!!!
I have several sources in which I have received most of my materials. This particular footage happens to be on a 3-DVD set called THE BEST OF THE HOOTENANNY.
@Institutionalkid: Agnes Jackson didnt join the group until the later part of the 1960s, so she was probably in St. Louis, where she is originally from.
There are a lot of things that weren't placed in the book. Agnes wasn't the only singer in the group that stood up to Gertrude. Many of the younger group members did. The book only mentioned that one incident with Agnes.
That's what I liked about Clara Ward, Mahalia, and many others. They were admired among audiences outside of their race...and they still SAAANG! Sho'nuff. But this particular footage was recorded at a White college in the early 60's...Southern Methodist University.
If you look to the right of the screen, under the "Related Videos," you can find a couple of things. However, the person who posted the Flip Wilson Show is called 'taddypoe'
@DannyCraig678: When you're referring to "sisters," I'm not sure if you're speaking of siblings of Clara's -or- females in the group, but as far as siblings, there were only 2: Clara and Willa. And yes, Willa Ward is still living. As far as group members, there are several who have passed over the years. There are a few that don't sing anymore and several who are still going strong. I also agree that some people should be mindful of what they post.
Music is progressive...because from what I heard Clara Ward's music was deemed "too worldly" back in the day, especially with all the theatrics and jiving they used to do..... music changes with the times!
@jesusboy1997: Yep! But during that time, that was nothing surprising. Many of the Black singers performed for all-White audiences, especially Mahalia Jackson and The Ward Singers. Even in countries abroad.
If I remember correctly, there were two TV shows that were similar - "Shindig" & "Hootenanny". Didn't it Rain & Old Landmark were on "Shindig", if I'm not mistaken; Swing Low was on "Hootenanny".
Thanks Dwayne, may I suggest you do a tribute to James Cleveland, Sallie Martin, Albertina Waler, or Mattie Harper (when did she die?) If u cant thats ok
Don't leave out Mother Smith & Dr Thomas A. Dorsey! Please show Princess Stewart, the beautiful blind Gospel Singer. I would surely love to know more about her.
This looked like it was on the old Hootenanny show, which aired on ABC during the 60's. Well, you are too young to remember, but they appeared on many television shows during that era and that they paved the way for the younger gospel performers who are on television now..
