This celebrated gospel singing group from Chicago rose to fame during "the Golden Age of Gospel" (1945-65) and became popular recording artists. The three sisters, Evelyn (alto, piano), Mildred (soprano) and Geraldine (tenor/piano), with their younger brother Donald (tenor) was a multitalented family out of the sanctified church. It was Evelyn, the oldest sister, who developed a skill to work standard Protestant hymns into rhythmically exciting gospel songs. As a youth she had accompanied Mahalia Jackson. While sister Mildred's lyrical soprano was equal to Delois Barrett or Marion Williams, sister Geraldine's executions at the piano rendered her the title, "the Erroll Garner of Gospel".
Little brother Donald became a singing pastor at an early age. His fiery preaching and catchy singing is featured on the latter part of the CD. But it is Evelyn's moving, sonorous solo voice that is heard on the majority of the tracks, when she is not harmonizing with her sisters. Gospel Friend Records has selected the Gay Family's most stirring performances, covering the period 1948-1977, from their recordings for major companies like Savoy, Chess/Checker and Peacock/Song Bird, as well as for local labels.
Informative booklet notes by Robert Sacré.
•"...this CD swings and rocks in the old gospel way. The Gay Sisters were great vocalists, too...Great job, Slim and Sacré." - Kevin Nutt, Sinner's Crossroad, WFMU, Montgomery, Alabama
•"…it is certainly instructive to listen to this wonderful collection of vintage material. …The sound of the early sides is very much in the vein of the great gospel material others were making at this time … With this album production by Per Notini and the label one of Jonas Bernholm's stable, this obviously comes recommended." - Norman Darwen, Blues & Rhythm - the Gospel Truth (December 2012)