By the mid-40s, Gospel Music was renowned as a stylistic entity unto itself. The subtle differences between raw R&B and pure Gospel sometimes made it difficult to discern the difference, especially if you neglected to listen to the lyrics.

The most popular Gospel acts of the post-war era were becoming genuine stars, in terms of popularity, if not fortune, and the irony of this situation is that they were promoted by small independent record companies that were controlled by owners who had no interest whatsoever in religious music…unless it could sell and bring in substantial income.

For the artists, God and Jesus were still the Almighty and the Savior, but the people responsible for recording, manufacturing and distributing their music were indifferent to that aspect, so long as their own faith in the almighty dollar was getting righteous praise that they deserved.

Featured tracks include:

My God Is Real (Yes, My God Is Real) – Mahalia Jackson

Strange Things Happening Every Day – Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Search Me Lord – Brother Joe May

Precious Lord Take My Hand – The Kings of Harmony

Packing Up – The Ward Singers

I Won’t Be Back – The Caravans

How I Got Over – Clara Ward

Sit Down Servant – The Staple Singers

Traveling Shoes – Marion Williams

Too Close to Heaven – The Davis Sisters

Yield Not to Temptation – The Roberta Martin Singers

If You See My Savior – Alex Bradford

I Am Redeemed – Jessy Dixon

Lord Do It - James Cleveland

Jesus Gonna Be Here- Blind Boys of Alabama