Black Gospel With Good Sound

OK I just ordered The Fairfield Four, The Blind Boys of Alabama, The ARC Choir. Looking forward to hearing those CDs. Thanks to you all for the recommendations! I'll let you know how I like them in a few weeks.

Don't be fooled by the opening track on The Fairfield Four's "Standing In The Safety Zone". It is intentionally
low fidelity and scratchy like an old 78. The rest of the disc is incredible.

The Fairfield Four CD is wonderful! Deep feeling and rhythm and each voice is distinct--I especially like the bass singer's parts. ARC Choir is great as well--like a gospel choir is singing in my living room! I also picked up The Angels CD from Mapleshade and heartily recommend it for its full live sound. I was disappointed in the Blind Boys of Alabama CD I got. It's called "Spirit of The Century" and is an attempt to blend blues and gospel that does not succeed to my ears. Any recommendations of other Blind Boys cds that are more traditional would be appreciated. Ironically, I got a Mavis Staples CD which is a melding of the modern and traditional called "We'll Never Turn Back" which I really like. It's produced by Ry Cooder, whose musical choices I've always respected. He gets it right on this one--highly recommended. Thanks guys.

I knew you would like the Fairfield Four. The Mavis Staples CD is indeed very fine. If you want to a hear great acapella recording check out The Flirtations Caught Live on the Road. Not a gospel recording but a real in the room presentation. Sadly, most of the members have died. One of my favorite recordings, along with The Fairfield Four and Dave Alvin's King of California that I keep going back to for music and sound.

I thought I had mentioned this recording before, but it seems it doesn't appear in the forums:

Handel's Messiah - A Soulful Celebration

If you like pop/gospel/soul and audio, run right out and add this to your collection.

Tracks 3 and 8 (with Stevie Wonder) are old favorites for me - wonderful interpretations and also great demo tracks with a clear and spacious recording.