Capture The Art Blog's

The label says "Miami/Los Angeles" (?). More likely from Alabama, I guess.

Audio sample : http://myworld.ebay.com/dadomax (Birmingham AL)

S Whit Denson / Denson Quartet

Denson Ep 555

9101 – I Won't Turn Back / New Morning Sun
9102 - The Better Land / Wonderous Love

Sacred Hillbilly Music Birmingham, Alabama.

The Denson family has been active in composing, arranging, and performing Sacred Harp material since 1844; Whit Denson was a third-generation Denson who led a number of Sacred Harp groups on important early recordings in the twenties and was noted for his very smooth, almost sweet alto voice.

About Sacred Harp Singing

Sacred Harp singing -- a form of Southern gospel music that's rather obscure to much of the general population -- "is characterized by mass participation, full-voiced singing, lack of instrumental accompaniment, and rotation of song leaders."

What is Sacred Harp Singing?

* Sacred Harp singing is an American folk tradition of singing hymns and gospel songs from The Sacred Harp, a 150 year old songbook that uses shaped note heads to indicate position in the scale.
* This is the type of singing that took place in the church scene in Cold Mountain.
* Sacred Harp singing is a participatory event, not a performance, although visitors are welcome to come and listen.
* The singers sit in a hollow square facing each other and take turns leading songs, which are sung in several parts without instrumental accompaniment.
* The music has a distinctive open and modal sound, and the singing is usually exuberant, rhythmic and full of feeling.