I Feel the Holy Spirit

Prime 1949-1952 recordings from one of the greatest soloists in gospel music history, Clara Ward, and her charismatic backing group the Ward Singers! They were one of the first gospel acts to cross over to mainstream success, and you can hear why. Clara Ward, with her backing group the Ward Singers, pushed gospel out of the church and into the nightclubs, infusing the music with a shot of glitz and glamour the likes of which had never before been seen. Decked out in colorful gowns, towering wigs and dazzling jewelry, the Wards sang only the biggest pop-gospel hits, flamboyantly delivered for maximum commercial appeal; while many observers decried their over-the-top onstage behavior as demeaning not only to the music but also to their African-American heritage, at their creative peak the group was a true phenomenon. This 24 track CD features their classic recordings from 1949-1952.