McCrary Sisters - Let's Go

  by Dave Goodwin

published: 14 / 3 / 2015

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Now I can’t say that I am a religious man. In fact my old man was entirely the opposite. But I do have a certain fondness of gospel music. The soulie in me tells me that every soul singer in the late fifties and sixties that ever graced my record decks cut his or her teeth in the churches of the USA, usually having a preaching father or mother to look up to. Think of Ray Charles and Nina Simone. All the Motown acts had the same upbringing whether it be Little Stevie Wonder or Diana, all taking their instructions from the Gospel singing churches. Things were no different for the McCrary Sisters, Ann, Deborah, Regina and Alfreda, the daughters of the late Rev. Samuel McCrary — one of the original members of the legendary gospel quartet the Fairfield Four. If that still doesn't resonate with you, the Fairfield Four had a hand in the soundtrack to one of the funniest films ever, 'Oh Brother Where Art Thou?' which incidentally was based on Homer's ‘The Odyssey’. For these girls music is not just a birthright or a lifelong love affair. It is a career, an indescribable joy, and in their own words, occasionally, a cross to bear. They grew up singing not just with the Fairfield Four but also with frequent guests that included gospel greats such as Shirley Caesar and James Cleveland. Ann and Regina both began singing and travelling with the BCM Mass Choir (Baptist, Catholic, and Methodist), Ann having recorded 2 CDs: ‘What Is This?’ produced by Cedric, and Victor Caldwell and the self-titled “Ann McCrary,” produced by Steve Crawford, whilst Regina toured and performed for six years with the legendary songwriter Bob Dylan recording his three ‘Christian’ albums with him: ‘Slow Train Coming’, ‘Saved’, and ‘Shot of Love’ before moving on to releasing her solo CD, ‘I Made A Vow’, and also performing with Elvis, Stevie Wonder, Bobby Jones, the New Life Singers and the Nashville Super Choir. Alfreda and Deborah rarely sang with their sisters. Alfreda dedicated her time singing and preaching with her husband Narcisco Lee,at the Old Happy Day Church and Deborah became a nurse and sang with her sisters part-time. Alfreda has a CD out titled ‘Songs from the Heart’. As a group they’ve recorded and toured with gospel singer Mike Farris who won the 2008 Americana Music Awards “Emerging Artist Award” and was also a 2010 Dove Award winner for Best Traditional Gospel Album for the album ‘Shout! Live’. More recently they have sung with Loretta Lynn, Jackson Browne and Dr John and also worked with Don Was, Ry Cooder and producer of this little EP, Buddy Miller. The tracks on this album are all based on the Gospel theme. But it’s not all Gospel sounding. Before you get yourselves ready for a huge Gospel Choir type sound, chill with yourself a minute. Yes, there is that element all the way through because that's where these girls come from, but also you get shades of early R&B such as on That's Enough' while 'By the Mark' is surely influenced by the Fairfield Four. It is all littered with lush Gospel harmonies. 'Fire' is a definite dancer whilst 'I'd Rather Have' starts with sublime solo vocals and piano and 'Don't You let Nobody' is an a cappella affair. Marvellous!

Track Listing:-

1 Let's Go
2 That's Enough
3 By the Mark
4 I John
5 Dr Watts
6 Fire
7 Use Me Lord
8 Don't You Let Nobody Turn You
9 I Am Free
10 Hold On
11 Driving Your Mama Crazy
12 I’d Rather Have Jesus
13 He Split the Rock
14 Old Shoes
15 Hold the Wind
16 Walk In the Light

Band Links:-

https://twitter.com/mccrarysisters
https://www.facebook.com/mccrarysisters

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