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The Dixie Hummingbirds were one of the longest-established and most influential gospel groups in the history of the genre, their career, through various evolving line-ups eventually lasting more than 80 years. Their style developed from the jubilee quartet approach of the 1930s through the ‘hard gospel’ of the music’s golden era in post-war years to the more soul-tinged style of later times. This collection spans their development from their original line-up as their style gradually changed, with lead singer Ira Tucker being a constant link through the whole of the set. This hugely substantial 110-track 4-CD collection comprising most of the A & B sides of their releases on the Decca, Manor, Apollo, Gotham and Peacock labels from these years, plus the titles from their Peacock albums “A Christian Testimonial” and “In The Morning” not otherwise released on singles. It features Ira Tucker, James Davis, Barney Parks, Wilson Baker, William Henry, Beachy Thompson, Paul Owens, Howard Carroll, James Walker, William Bobo and others. Their music inspired many gospel, soul and R&B artists, with the likes of Jackie Wilson and James Brown adapting their extrovert style and showmanship for the secular market. It’s an inspiring and uplifting overview of nearly a quarter of a century of their career.
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