In 1970, while the United States was recovering from the tumultuous unrest of the sixties and Southern segregationist George Wallace was between bids for the presidency, a young black preacher and an aging hillbilly bandleader struck up a friendship in a coffee shop in downtown Memphis. For the next decade and a half, record producer Juan D. Shipp and studio engineer Clyde Leoppard embarked on a musical journey that produced some of the most stirring sacred soul music ever laid to tape. Behold the story of Shipp's D-Vine Spirituals record label, told here for the very first time since it's 45 RPM glory days, and see if you don't agree with the original company motto: "D-Vine Is Gospel."
credits
released January 14, 2022
All music produced by Juan D. Shipp
Executive Producer: Bruce Watson
Liner Notes: Mike Hurtt
Design: Kerri Mahoney
supported by 9 fans who also own “The D-Vine Spirituals Story. Volume 2”
I have loved the dixie Humming birds since the 1960s, but have never heard their early work--amazing. Listening to all this wonderous harmony and spirit comes close to restoring my lost faith in Christianity. ronspin