The Original Gospel Harmonettes were one of the most popular and successful female gospel groups of the 1950s, led by the extraordinary singer and songwriter Dorothy Love Coates, who was also their primary composer, as well as being a leading civil rights activist. The group was formed in the late 1940s and recorded briefly for RCA until being joined by Coates, and signing to Specialty, where they were a major influence on future rock ‘n’ roll luminary Little Richard. Their music was characterised by an energy and intensity which often transcended its spiritual foundations and took it very close to crossing over into secular soul and R&B styles. This 70-track 3-CD collection comprises the A & B sides of releases on the RCA, Specialty, Andex and Savoy labels during this era, along with titles from their Savoy albums “A Gospel Concert” and “My Father’s Children” albums not otherwise released on singles. It also features their amazing 18-minute medley from the Great Shrine Auditorium Concert in 1955. This substantial collection captures the group at the peak of their powers in the core era of their career and it is an inspiring and uplifting showcase for their collective talents and particularly those of Dorothy Love Coates.
