Early Years - Bluebird, Victor & Okeh Recordings 1937-43

The Golden Gate Quartet is one of the longest-established gospel quartets of all time, with the group still performing 90 years after its inception, maintaining continuous visibility through regular line-up changes as existing members retire. Formed in 1934 as the Golden Gate Jubilee Singers in Norfolk, Virginia, they were pioneers in the commercial dimension of the genre in the, and got a regular radio show in South Carolina in 1936, which led to a recording contract with Bluebird, with whom they stayed until joining Okeh/ Columbia. This 83-track 3-CD collection comprises a significant proportion of their A & B sides on the Bluebird, Victor, Okeh and Columbia labels during this first crucial early era of their career, with most of the releases coming out as under the name The Golden Gate Jubilee Quartet – they dropped the ‘Jubilee’ when they joined Okeh. This collection features their classic early line-up of William Langford and Henry Owens (tenor), Willie Johnson (baritone) and Orlandus Wilson (bass). The collection features some of their most noted recordings, including “John The Revelator”, “Samson And Delilah”, “Rock My Soul” and “Jonah In The Whale”. It’s a substantial overview of this period of their career when they established their reputation, when they enjoyed massive acceptance outside the church, and is a great showcase for their distinctive approach to gospel