Original Soul Seekers 1939

Location:
NEW BRUNSWICK, US
Type:
Artist / Band / Musician
Genre:
Christian / Gospel / Religious
Site(s):
Label:
CUB/MGM RECORDS
Type:
Major
"The Famous Original Soul Seekers of New Orleans" were organized and founded in 1939 by Ernest Irvin. They performed at the World Famous Apollo Theater, the Metropolitan Opera House and were even scheduled by one of gospel's most powerful booking agents, the late Ronnie Williams, to become Mahalia Jackson's exclusive accompaniment before her death. The original lineup included a sextet of dynamic singers that can be heard on the 1959 release, "Spirituals." Ernest Irvin added members, Arthur Blake, Marion Hannah, Alex "Junior" Bolton, Carneil Underwood, and Wallace Meyers on guitar. Guitarist Bobby Jackson was a Soul Seeker as well, before leaving to join the Blind Boys of Mississippi. This dynamic and inspiring group is famous throughout the United States for their powerful, triumphant performances of spirituals. The Soul Seekers have voices of gold and are mutually respected by gospel's elite groups, The Sensational Nightingales, The Pilgrim Travelers, The Dixie Hummingbirds, The Fantastic Violinaires, The Drinkard Singers, The Caravans, Pilgrim Jubilees, both sets of Blind Boys and every superstar gospel singer of their era.
The influence that this historic group had on other musical groups can not be understated. Their second album, was entitled "Songs For My Mother" and marks the first professional recording of Richard Boyce at age 15, and Frankie Boyce, age 14 playing bass and lead guitar, respectively and key songwriter of the group, Larry Lawson. All three new members were formerly of the Seeking Wonders. Frankie's sweet soul guitar playing helped to reinvent the Soul Seekers style, and further displayed their natural gifts to breathe new life into old hymns and spirituals with clever new arrangements. Richard's solid bass playing anchored the groups' infectious "gospel drive" that became a trademark of the Soul Seekers' style. Sadly, the chemistry of the group was disrupted when the talented young genius, Frankie Boyce was killed in action at the tender age of 20 after he and brother Richard were drafted into the army during the Vietnam War. Even while in Vietnam, Frankie was writing and playing his guitar to provide entertainment and relief for his fellow soldiers. Amidst these trying times, He encouraged Richard to "Keep the group together." The Boyce Brothers also had a family group of their own and had also done some touring and session work with The Parliaments.
Later, after Frankie's death, the DeVoil brothers, Johnny and Wimbley, along with tenor, George Washington all joined the Seekers at the same time. Johnny DeVoil's dynamic guitar solo can be heard on the Soul Seekers third album's title cut penned by Larry Lawson, "Tell It Like It Is, Brother." "Deep In My Heart" also written by Lawson, is a hidden gem on this album, where Johnny brings his authentic, bluesy, gospel soul, lead guitar, front and center in this heart wrenching arrangment. This third album by the Soul Seekers also features a young Rev. Lawrence Roberts (of Rev. James Cleveland fame) on piano and organ. This flavor, amidst the classic Soul Seeker harmonious, vocal blend, and Hannah's, Lawson's, and Washington's rich, signature, lead vocals cut like a hot knife through butter to help make the lp timeless!
The Soul Seekers' warm, "down home soul," style of instrumentation provided an early soulful "training ground" for local superstar musicians. These young players, were all directly, or indirectly influenced by the soul of original Soul Seekers, Wallace Meyers' uncanny guitar playing style. The list includes, future Parliaments' guitarists, Garry and Kevin Shider, Larry and Cordell Mosson, Eddie Hazel, and Glenn Goins, all recruited later by George Clinton himself, who used to conk Pastor Hannah's hair in his Plainfield Avenue barbershop and even attended some of the The Soul Seekers programs and rehearsals. A young Gregg Fitz also played drums for the Seekers at numerous road shows. It can be said that these truly Original Soul Seekers are partly responsible for laying the groundwork that influenced an entire musical genre known to the world as Gospel Quartet Music and also, helped to spawn the Plainfield,
NJ based phenomenon called P.Funk. But there is a deeper connection there. Although they all relocated to the Plainfield area, in the 60's, Marion Hannah, Larry Lawson, & Arthur Blake, all hail originally, from the hills of West Virginia, and each embraced their soulful "gospel hillbilly" roots with pride and a joy! Famous lead singer, Bob Washington, of the Gospelaires and friend of the Soul Seekers, was also from West Virginia.
One of the things that made this group so great is the how lead singers, Marion Hannah and Carneil Underwood alternated lead vocals during live shows, in a way that was unique at that time. Rev. Hannah is proud to be the first soul singer in the history of modern music to "yodel" and "squall" on the same record! The Soul Seekers released their 1959 hit single "Jesus Your Love," one of the first songs that modernized the way spirituals were arranged at the time and is a classic example of the transition Black Quartet music made, as it evolved to become a more commercialized sound. It has drawn comparisons to "Your Precious Love" by Jerry Butler's Impressions and very possibly, could have been the source of inspiration for that record.
After the group completed it's third album, all of the ORIGINAL SOUL SEEKERS continued "Serving The Lord." The Annointing that fell upon this group of young men led to Pastor Marion Hannah being called by God to preach the Good News full time at New Brunswick, NJ's Antioch Christian Church, Rev. George Washington and Rev. Johnny DeVoil also being called into The Ministry, to preach God's Word, and members Larry Lawson & the late Ernest Irvin being called to Deaconship. Through the years, their love for God, His Word, and each other, gives all the surviving members a powerful living testimony!
It can be said that no one group has influenced both gospel, and RnB so greatly, before or since, without compromising their own patented "Holy Ghost" Soul Seeker Style and integrity. Ladies and gentlemen, there can only be one Original. The Soul Seekers Legacy continues with The Soul Seekers featuring Pastor Marvin Winans on My Block Inc. and their their hit single "It's All God"." "Tell It Like It Is!"Thomas' Myspace 4.4
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