In this episode of Shout! host Robert Darden takes us through a heavenly wish list from the Divine Messenger Chorale.

In this episode of Shout! host Robert Darden shares with us a one-of-a-kind, battered 45 from the well-known Imperial Receords and exposes the history behind it.

In this episode of Shout! host Robert Darden takes us through a protest spiritual with a hidden message of freedom, Roll Jordan Roll.

In this episode of Shout! host Robert Darden talks about the First Mount Olive Freewill Baptist Church Senior Choir No. 1. On one of the group's records you'll find a rousing rendition of the spiritual "Come By Here Lord", or as it's more famously known as "Kumbayah."

The close-harmony groups of the 1940s created a distinctive sound, using their voices to emulate bass guitars, drums, and even trains. You can hear that styling on the track "Didn't it Rain" by the little-known Southern Harmonizers. The song is an upbeat retelling of the story of Noah and the ark.

In this episode of Shout! host Robert Darden shows us "Travelin' Up" by the Singinaires. Released on the little-known Glad-Hamp Record Label, "Travelin' Up" is a joyful, easygoing gospel gem.

Some of gospel music's most passionate music was recorded by custom recording studios, where groups didn't have to worry about recording what's popular or what would sell. Take for example, "The Old Rugged Cross" by the Tabernacle Singers of Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church in St. Louis Missouri.

Over the years, several groups have performed and recorded under the name "The Gospelaires." But Shout! host Bob Darden's favorite group is The Gospelaires of Dayton, Ohio. But not much is known about the group that performed roughly from 1954 - 1980.

The Blind Boys of Alabama have been around since 1939, when a group of 9 year olds started singing spirituals at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind. The group was originally called the Happy Land Jubilee Singers. And today, they're a Grammy-award winning group.

In this week's episode of Shout! host Bob Darden looks at the career of Bessie Griffin, a marvelous singer who could never bring herself to sing the blues, which - in some gospel circles - was called the "devil's music."