Various - Black Vocal Groups Vol 8 1926-1935

Reviewed by Tony Cummings

With Document's commendable policy of re-issuing every pre-war blues and gospel 78 not previously available on CD it's hardly surprising that occasionally the musical standard slips. I don't suppose today the mixed group The Lucy Smith Jubilee Singers with their jaunty unison singing from 1928 or the West Virginia Collegiate Singers (a small choir, not a group) would attract too many listeners though the latter's "Peter On The Sea" with some great interplay between high and low vocal sections still stands up. Elsewhere you've got the Second Baptist Church Trio, The Second Zion Four, the Wesley Female Quartet, Southern University Quartet and, most striking for me, the Southern Plantation Singers. The latter's sombre hymn "Throw Out The Lifeline" is sung by a solo female lead backed by a hummed choral harmony. As with the majority of Document compilations, the sound quality is variable but the best moments here are worth combating the crackle and hiss.