Verve Vault Series 180-Gram Black Vinyl LP

This edition of Gospel Train is part of Verve's Vault Series, an all-analog reissue line. Ryan K. Smith cut it at Sterling Sound from the original master tapes, and it is pressed on 180-gram black vinyl. The jacket carries the original Mercury MG-20201 front cover.

Tharpe recorded the album at Mercury Sound in New York on July 2 and 5, 1956, and Mercury issued it that December. It was her first release for Mercury and, by the label's account, her first album on any label in the 12-inch long-playing format, then still new. She sings and plays guitar throughout and wrote most of the program. "Jericho" is traditional, and "Two Little Fishes, Five Loaves Of Bread" comes from the songwriter Bernie Hanighen.

The gospel quartet the Harmonizing Four sing with her on several songs, and the band came out of New York's jazz scene. George Duvivier and Lloyd Trotman split the bass parts, Panama Francis is on drums, Ernest Richardson plays second guitar, Harry "Doc" Bagby plays organ and Ernie Hayes plays piano.

Billboard's review in December 1956 borrowed John Wesley's old question of why the devil should have all the good tunes, and answered that Tharpe had shown he does not. Tom Moon included the record in his 2008 book 1,000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die. The album was also cited when Tharpe entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as an Early Influence in 2018.

Tracklist

Side A

1. Jericho
2. When They Ring The Golden Bell
3. Two Little Fishes, Five Loaves Of Bread
4. Beams Of Heaven
5. Cain't No Grave Hold My Body Down
6. All Alone

Side B

1. Up Above My Head There's Music In The Air
2. I Shall Know Him
3. Fly Away
4. How About You
5. Precious Memories
6. 99 1/2 Won't Do

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Last updated: 2/6/26

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Last updated: 2/6/26