Been a while since we had anything from the Chi
And since we had any gospel
So, a tribute to a few Chicago institutions
First, Dr Wax records
Holding down Harper Court on 53rd St for many years — first downstairs, then upstairs after the renovation, and finally outside the shopping center when the University bought it
Yeah, the U of C pretty much ruins everything
I’m not sure exactly when it opened, but I believe it was still relatively young when we were in high school in the early 90s
It was the source of a sizeable chunk of my vinyl collection
I discovered and bought many records based on the recommendation of Charles – who dropped a lot of knowledge and was patient with the neophytes
(When Dr Wax closed, Dusty Groove moved to hire him with the quickness)
One of the LP’s I got there–I can’t remember for certain, but almost assuredly another Charles pick–was the dollar-bin find “I’ve Got a Soul to Save” by the Swan Mellarks
At that point, what I knew of gospel was from my dad’s LP and cassette collection
Mostly Reverend James Cleveland and the like
So this much funkier stuff from the 70s was a revelation (no pun intended) to an impressionable young student!
I’ve Got a Soul to Save isn’t listed on the group’s page on Discogs for some reason
But had organ- and guitar-driven burners like this version of the traditional spiritual Jesus Going to Make Up My Dying Bed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSpAJwR8r9U
This is likely from the mid-70s, on the small local label Crusade
But per the liner notes, the group was originally formed in 1960
Joe Paries (from Auburn-Gresham) was the lead vocalist and business frontman for the group
I didn’t discover their earlier material until much later
Via another Chicago institution: Ayana Contreras
Ayana is a hero, inspiration, and–if we’re keeping it a stack–non-sexual crush of mine
She has worked with Richard Steele and has been a producer of Sound Opinions on WBEZ for many years
When WBEZ launched Vocalo — a wing of chicago public radio aimed at a younger and blacker/browner audience than the ageing white-bread lakefront volvo drivers that make up too much of their listenership — they put Ayana in the spotlight with “Reclaimed Soul”
Reclaimed Soul is the truth
It’s basically what the Daily Dose should be, but isn’t…isn’t even close
Ayana digs deep to curate themed shows using all original vinyl from her collection, with an encyclopedic amount of context on performers, labels, shows, musical breakdowns, social history, etc
Thursday nights with replays on Friday nights and Sunday mornings (and a brief preview with Jill Hopkins on the Morning Shift Wednesdays around 8:30)
If you don’t start tuning into it, I will take it as a personal insult
Out of towners can catch it live-streamed on the interwebs
https://www.facebook.com/ReclaimedSoul/
There’s really nothing else like it
She is a city–and universal–treasure
One of her shows a couple years ago featured different south side gospel groups
And she played today’s dose, a 45 of the Swan Mellarks that was new to me
It’s earlier (exact date is uncertain)
Though probably c. 71/72
Recorded for Valberst Records, a Nashville-Chicago joint
This one’s slower, with a hard beat and great guitar
Lynnell Harris is the lead vocalist, and also on guitar (he had apparently left the group by the time of “I’ve Got a Soul to Save”)
See if this joint won’t reclaim the devil’s soul…
Record lists him as “Lindell” but that’s a misprint
Note it’s recorded at Staples Studio (yes, those Staples) and produced by Pervis…somewhat unfortunately abbreviated as “Perv” on the record
I’ll be looking for that 45 on future digging sessions
And via YouTube came across other righteous material from the Swan Mellarks
Like their tributes to MLK, with honeyed harmonies
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHySgscOX-s
And to Chicago’s own Queen of Gospel, Mahalia Jackson (perhaps on occasion of her passing in 72?), with its snapping snares and funky guitar riffs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NcA7yx_P_0
As they say in Rio, Salve (more or less “hail!”) Charles and Dr. Wax, Salve Ayana, Salve Mahalia, Salve the Swan Mellarks, Salve Old Chicago