The JCR Records Story, Volume One
Bible & Tire, 2020
8/10
Listen to The JCR Record Story
Culled from 170 reels of tape, the Memphis label Bible & Tire unearth gems recorded in the ‘70s here, and select 17 tracks full of sacred soul, gospel grooves and plenty of authentic grit.
“Keep On Pushing”, by The Calvary Nightingales, starts the listen with spirited guitar as soulful vocals enter the gospel rocker where backing vocals illuminate the religious mood, and The Pilgrimairs’ “Father Guide Me, Teach Me” follows with a retro feel as rich singing is met with bluesy rhythm.
Closer to the middle, the stirring female vocals of The Seven Souls highlight the emotive “I Want To Move A Little Higher”, while “Someone Who Cares”, by The Dixie Wonders, moves bare and purposeful, with soaring vocals amid the hymn. “In The Last Day”, one of the album’s best, then recruits playful keys and a call and response vocal strategy that builds into a rowdy rock’n’roll adventure as The Hewlett Sisters impress us.
Near the end, “Too Late Too Late” is a sparse but moving track thanks to The Chose Wonders, and “Sinner Man (What You Gonna Do)” finishes out the listen with The Bible Tones raw but tuneful execution.
Included are very thorough liner notes from music historian Michael Hurtt, which helps puts the listen as perspective and reiterates the very authentic nature of the effort. Musically covering gospel, soul, blues and rock, this is a spiritually aware and very powerful display of talent that is thankfully being preserved well in this medium, and let’s hope there’s more to come.
Travels well with: Dedicated Men Of Zion- Can’t Turn Me Around; Bebe Winans- America America