The latest part of the ongoing series chronicling, in no particular order, the greatest 1001 recordings made by Christian artists

936. STUART HAMBLEN - THIS OLE HOUSE, 1954. From the single, RCA.
Hamblin was a Texas-based singer, songwriter and broadcaster who in 1949 after years of struggle with alcoholism and gambling became a Christian at a Billy Graham crusade. He was fired from his radio programme soon afterwards refusing to do beer commercials but bounced back with his The Cowboy Church On The Air becoming a popular programme. Hamblin wrote "This Old House" inspired by events on a hunting trip he had taken with a friend in the High Sierras. The two men came upon what looked like an abandoned shack wherein they found the body of an elderly man, apparently dead of natural causes. Hamblin came up with the lyrics to the song while riding horseback down the mountain and composed the melody within a week. Hamblin's recording of the song made it to number two in the US country charts and was a pop chart topper when covered by Rosemary Clooney. In 1981 the song hit number one in the UK when covered by Welsh rock 'n' roller Shakin' Stevens though it's doubtful that many who purchased that version picked up on the gospel message of the song - that the "old house", the mortal body, will be left behind when the believer goes to "meet the saints."
Tony Cummings

937. TOLU - LORD HELP ME, 2010. From the album 'A Perfect Progression', Independent.
When you think about it, "Lord, help me trust in you" is one of the most heartfelt prayers and one every believer will need to say regularly as we stumble through the traps, snares and disappointments of life. Tolu Okeowo is a London-based piano-playing songwriter and with a smoothly soulful singer from his church, Michelle Marbie Davies, he came up with a song and performance which will affect all who get to hear it.
Tony Cummings

Rev Edward W Clayborn

938. REV EDWARD W CLAYBORN - THEN WE'LL NEED THAT TRUE RELIGION, 1927. From the album 'Complete Recorded Works 1926-1928 In Chronological Order', Document.
The Rev Edward W Clayborn was an itinerant musician who between 1926 and 1930 recorded 40 songs for Vocalion Records which were significant in establishing them as a major player in the emergent "race" music market. But just about nothing is known about this man who billed himself The Guitar Evangelist although decades on his music hadn't been completely forgotten. In fact the renowned science-fiction writer Philip K Dick once had one of his characters claim that Clayborn's "Then We'll Need That True Religion" was "one of the first jazz recordings." Now that may be a bit of an overstatement but it does indicate that the good reverend's stunning bottleneck guitar and otherworldly vocals contained something that was truly effecting.
Tony Cummings

939. DAVID AHLEN - LINGER, 2013. From the album 'Selah', Independent.
Ahlen is a Scandinavian singer who recorded the 'Selah' album in a monastery in Sweden. With the simplest of stripped down accompaniments the whole effect is achieved by the beauty of David's high soprano voice. As a meditative prayer experience "Linger" is music of extraordinary devotional impact.
Tony Cummings

940. TWELVE24 - HIGHER, 2015. From the album 'From The Ground Up', Independent.
The Cross Rhythms reviewer called this track "an infectiously catchy dance tune" and that's exactly what it is. Twelve24 have now largely taken up the schools work organised by Manchester's The Message Trust when The Tribe called it a day. In Josh Green, Ryan Griggs and Christina Otoo-Anslowa they have three effervescent musical evangelists able to proclaim all manner of spiritual truth. With snappy production work from Tim Gosden, "Higher" includes a delightful nod to Black Box's "Ride On Time" oldie to make a radio-friendly delight.
Tony Cummings

941. HELEN SHAPIRO - SPRING CAN REALLY HANG YOU UP, 2000. From the album 'Simply Shapiro', Katalyst.
In the '60s, Helen Shapiro was a British pop star by the tender age of 14 and her husky contralto on perky hits like "Walking Back To Happiness" brought her UK stardom until the Beatles heralded in a new era of pop music. But Helen wasn't finished even when the hits stopped. She investigated her Jewish roots and became a Messianic Christian going on to record a number of gospel projects. But it was when Helen turned to jazz and recording albums of the great American songbook that produced possibly her best music. In 2000 she recorded the song "Spring Can Really Hang You Up", written by Fran Landesman and Tommy Wolf. Helen's version is, to my ears, a minor classic.
Tony Cummings

942. CROWDER/PASSION - MY VICTORY, 2016. From the various artists album 'Salvation's Tide Is Rising', Sixsteprecords.
The Passion conferences for young adults, founded by Louie Giglio, have been pivotal in spreading the sounds of modern worship across the worldwide Church and the ministries of worship songsmiths like America's Chris Tomlin and Britain's Matt Redman have benefited hugely from the conferences, recordings and tours. Singer/songwriter David Crowder has in the past embraced such diverse styles as electro and bluegrass but it's his live recording of his powerful song "My Victory" which is a creative and spiritual highpoint for Crowder.
Tony Cummings

The Dixie Hummingbirds

943. DIXIE HUMMINGBIRDS - LOVES ME LIKE A ROCK, 1999. From the album 'Music In The Air: The 70th Anniversary All Star Tribute', House Of Blues.
The Dixie Hummingbirds are widely acknowledged as one of the GREAT gospel quartets. In 1999 the music industry acknowledged the veteran group's huge contribution to music history with a 70th anniversary album. It was recorded at the home of the Sound of Philadelphia, Sigma Sound Studio, and a heap of special guests including Isaac Hayes, Stevie Wonder and Mavis Staples came to help them out. Paul Simon also stepped up to the mic to help redo the Simon-penned song "Loves Me Like A Rock" first heard on 'There Goes Rhymin' Simon'. It's an atmospheric and joyful rendition.
Tony Cummings

944. THOMAS A DORSEY - IF YOU SEE MY SAVIOUR, 1932. From the various artists album 'Gospel Greats: 60 Legendary Performances', Soho.
If you know anything about African-American gospel's rich history, you'll know that Thomas A Dorsey is often credited as the Father of Gospel Music. His compositions like "Precious Lord Take My Hand" were seminal in the music's development. Another of his songs "If You See My Saviour" is pretty well known too though many know it under its other title "I Was Standing By The Bedside Of A Neighbour". It's been recorded by gospel artists both ancient - Mitchell's Christian Singers - and modern - Sweet Honey In The Rock - as well as there being country and bluegrass versions by the likes of Ann Murray and The Cox Family. But it's the rendition by Thomas himself which still connects - a sentimental but quaintly moving plea to be remembered to the Lord when that neighbour gets to Heaven.
Tony Cummings

945. CRABB FAMILY - PLEASE COME DOWN TO ME, 2001. From the album 'Living Out The Dream', New Day.
The Crabb Family are a Southern gospel institution originally from Beaver Dam, Kentucky, whose Jason Crabb has gone on to win an Artist Of The Year award at the Dove Awards. In 2001 the Crabb Family, Jason, Adam, Aaron, Terah and Kelly, recorded a song penned by Gerald Crabb, "Please Come Down To Me". It's a beautiful song of repentance.
Tony Cummings

946. SUSAN ASHTON - MEEKNESS AND MAJESTY, 2005. From the various artists album 'More... Best Worship Songs Ever', Virgin.
It took a while for a top rate recording of the beautiful hymn "Meekness And Majesty", written in 1986 by Britain's groundbreaking worship man Graham Kendrick, to emerge. But finally one of Nashville's best singers, Susan Ashton, recorded a haunting version of the song otherwise known as "This Is Your God". Hundreds of songs have stemmed from Mr Kendrick's prolific pen of course. But this is surely one of his finest.
Tony Cummings

947. PETER CAMPBELL - THE LIGHT STAYS ON, 1975. From the album 'Of Time And Its Distance', Trinity.
When Jesus music author and researcher Ken Scott wrote about the album 'Of Time And Its Distance' by singer/songwriter Peter Campbell he enthused, "Among the best Australia has to offer." Mr Scott was right. Campbell is a masterly purveyor of folk-tinged music ala Tim Buckley while his song "The Light Stays On" has a dreamy, haunting atmosphere which still casts its spell 41 years on.
Tony Cummings

Ray Griff

948. RAY GRIFF - THAT DOESN'T MEAN (I DON'T LOVE MY GOD), 1974. From the album 'The Entertainer: Greatest US And Canadian Hits', Real Gone Music.
Ray Griff was a Canadian-born, USA-based country singer and songwriter who, down the years, penned hits for Faron Young, George Hamilton IV and Wilma Burgess. Some of his own records too were successful and his song "That Doesn't Mean (I Don't Love My God)" made the US country charts. Although some conservative Christians might take issue with the character portrayed in Ray's song and his seemingly low opinion of church attendance, few would argue that this song cleverly highlights the difference between rigid religiosity and the love of God.
Tony Cummings

949. NOEL RICHARDS - WE WANT TO SEE JESUS LIFTED HIGH, 1994. From the album 'Warrior', Kingsway Music.
Almost from the moment Britain's worship leader Noel Richards and his then guitarist Doug Horley penned "We Want To See Jesus Lifted High" they must have realised that here was a song that echoed the longings of countless British churchgoers (and when Petra recorded a version, American believers as well). A vision for revival, their song had that most singable (and clappable) of choruses - "We want to see Jesus lifted high/A banner that flies across this land/That all men might see the truth and know/He is the way to Heaven." That's our heart's desire while the middle eight reminds us that the journey to revival may be slow, but it's relentless. "Step-by-step we're moving forward/Little by little, taking ground/Every prayer a powerful weapon/Strongholds come tumbling down and down and down and down."
Tony Cummings