1-CD with 36-page booklet, 32 tracks. Playing time approx. 80 mns

Without Sun Records, the face of popular music, indeed popular culture, would be markedly different. Record collectors know Sun Records as the birthplace of rockabilly, and a source of valuable early '50s blues, country and R&B records. But gospel music?

Not surprisingly, no one has singled out this segment of Sun Records for systematic attention until now. Despite the fact that Sun made its home in a hotbed of gospel music activity, relatively little of it was recorded by label-owner Sam Phillips. He had his reasons. Sam Phillips learned early on that it was difficult to promote and sell gospel records unless that was your only business. ''It certainly wasn't intentional neglect,'' Sam Phillips explained years later. ''But you have to compromise. There's no telling what I could and should have done with gospel music from the Memphis area. I'm ashamed to say I barely touched the surface.''

This collection examines, for the first time, just what that 'surface' looks like. Although not very extensive, it has a surprisingly rich texture. Gleaned from a relatively brief period (1950-1962), this is a cross section of the gospel recordings that lie within the Sun tape archives. There is some wonderful music here in a truly dazzling array of styles. The most obvious differences are racial, stemming from a segregated southern society. But race does not tell the whole story. Men and women, white and black, urban and rural, alone and in groups are all here for a common purpose: to praise the Lord and testify to their faith. And in the process, to see their names on a yellow Sun label. Here, together for the first time, are their stories.

Track Listing

• Hans-Martin Majewski - Just A Little Talk With Jesus
• Million $ Quartet - Softly And Tenderly
• Prisonaires - Troublesome Waters
• Seratt, Howard - Just A Closer Walk With Thee
• Bond, Eddie - Sermon
• Lewis, Jerry Lee - I'm Working On A Building
• Unknown Male Quartet - I Was There When It Happened
• Cash, Johnny - When The Saints Go Marching In
• Lewis, Jerry Lee - Until I Pray For You
• Richardson, Rudi - Big Man
• Rich, Charlie - Rainbow Of Love
• Evans Family Singers - Gospel Train
• Jones Bros - All My Sins Been Taken Away
• Burgess, Sonny - Round-Up In Glory
• Sun Spot Quartet - House Of Gold
• Unknown Female Trio - Lord Lead Me Home
• Klein, George - Forgive Me Lord
• Southern Jubilee Singers - Nobody's Looking Back
• Fowler, Wally - Where Can I Go
• Anderson, Brother James - Will I Be Lost
• Bond, Eddie - There's A Man In Jerusalem
• Southern Jubilee Singers - Can't Find Time To Pray
• King, Cast & Miller Sisters - Night Train To Memphis
• Lewis, Jerry Lee - I Need Jesus
• Song Fellows - My God Is Real
• Prisonaires - When I Walk On Streets Of Gold
• Evans Family Singers - Gonna Make Myself At Home
• Fowler, Wally - Amazing Grace
• Jones Bros - My Heart Is A Chapel
• Johnson, Mary - Where Shall I Be
• Brewsteraires - Jesus Means All To Me
• Seratt, Howard - Would Anybody Care

Additional Details

Label: Bear Family Records

Genre: Gospel

Run Time: 80 mins

Release Date: 01/02/07

UPC: 4000127163875