Reviewed by Dave Brassington

It's not often that you get blown away by an artist you were not familiar with and what is even more surprising is that to begin with I didn't even like this dip into the obscurer treasures of the King Records archives. What initially threw me was that about two thirds of this album is actually a live worship album! But let 'Satan Get Back' destroy any stereotypes such a description may invoke. You could also say that Brother Claude Ely was really a country preacher who sang and whilst that's not an untrue statement it also should not disguise the fact that he was also a mighty fine country singer as can be evidenced by the studio tracks. What really made me sit up was the second track, "There's A Leak In This Old Building" which was one of the four songs featured in Elvis Presley's debut film from 1956, "Love Me Tender". As Tony Russell says in his excellent sleeve notes, this Pentecostal gospel preaching, praying and singing was where Elvis got a lot of his musical raising and was to remain his favourite music all his life. Most of this material, at some time or other, appeared on the King label and the singer, who dedicated his life to preaching the gospel would supplement his income by selling his records at his services. As far as country music goes I don't think I've ever heard anything quite like this. I have heard plenty of 'holiness preachers' over the years who were not country, black gospel music would certainly have many such archive and even present day exponents, but not someone like the late Claude Ely. I do recommend you give this a listen, but be warned that a good portion of the album is more revival time with music! A quite remarkable release. I am still excited by it and the sheer joy, power and exuberance of this southern singing country preacher!

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.