Brother Joe May - Singles, Album Tracks And Live Recordings 1949-62 (2023)

Brother Joe May was one of the most revered and respected of all the male gospel singers of the post-war era, acquiring the nickname of “The Thunderbolt Of The Middle West”, and with one critic describing him as “arguably the greatest male soloist in the history of gospel music, with a voice of unimaginable range and power”. Influenced by the likes of Bessie Smith and Mahalia Jackson, he himself became a significant influence on artists like Little Richard. This 84-track 4-CD collection comprises many of the A & B sides of his singles on the Specialty and Nashboro label during these years, plus titles from his Nashboro albums “The Master’s On Our Side” and Walk On And Talk On”, not otherwise featured on singles, along with live recordings from between 1952 and 1955. It features studio and ‘live’ performances with The Sallie Martin Singers, Sister Wynona Carr and The Pilgrim Travellers. It’s a substantial and reasonably comprehensive overview of the key first decade and more of his career, when he built his reputation, and is an impressive and entertaining showcase for his highly distinctive style and talents as an inspiring communicator and entertainer.