The Wings over Jordan Choir appeared on the public scene in the late 1930s. Led by its originator, Reverend Glynn T. Settle, it became the first full-time professional black choir in the USA. It was so proficient and versatile that during the period 1938-49, the choir performed before sold-out, non-segregated audiences in over forty American states, five European countries, Canada and Mexico. By utilizing the powerful Columbia Radio Broadcasting network, as well as selling gramophone records, The Wings over Jordan Choir influenced the minds of millions of Americans during the entire World War II and beyond. This CD compilation is the first to present a broad perspective of this choir’s recorded achievements. It contains examples of the early and scarce radio broadcasts, and the V-Disc recordings, as well as selected performances from several commercial record companies, which helped immortalize the choir during the 1940s and the early 1950s. This choir had an impact unequalled in the American music history.

Opal Louis Nation, one of the most prominent researchers of black gospel: “Beautiful job in every respect. Great photographs, discographical information and fine liner notes...There are a lot of people out there wanting this...”

David H. Evans, Ph.D. Professor of Music at the University of Memphis: ”I hadn’t paid too much attention to their music in the past and was thus pleasantly surprised at how good they were...”

Doug Seroff, researcher and renowned black gospel expert, USA: ”...the sound quality is really outstanding. The music is of course excellent and I think nicely selected and compiled. The booklet is handsome...interview excerpt with Mildred Pollard was interesting...I enjoy the set a lot...”