Mind giving a little info on "The Soul Stirrers"? Never heard of them.
A gospel vocal group which included Sam Cooke.
Yes, the Soul Stirrers were formed in Texas, in the thirties I think. The original lead singer was Rebert H Harris. Started recording in early 1940s, then for Aladdin in 1946. Backup lead was Paul Foster from 1950, when they started recording for Specialty. Harris left the group in 1951. Sam Cooke recruited to replace him. Paul Foster continued alternating many leads with Cooke (these are, I think, the most exciting of the Stirrers' singles from the Cooke period). Cooke left 1957, replaced by Johnnie Taylor, previously with the Highway QCs, the Soul Stirrers' training quartet. Leroy Crume joined group on baritone and playing guitar, when group left Specialty and recorded for Cooke's label, Sar. Taylor left 1960, also to pursue career in Soul, replaced by Jimmy Outler; Foster still with the group! Foster and Outler left in 1965, replaced by Willie Rogers and Arthur Crume; group now recording for Checker. Rufus Crume arrives; now three of them in the group!
Strength, power and love was recorded in 1973 and the personnel was:
Dillard Crume - lead guitar & organ
Arthur Crume - rhythm guitar
Rufus Crume - bass & guitar
Sonny Thompson - piano (this was the great blues pianist whose "Long gone" was a huge R&B hit in 1948)
Terry Thompson - drums
A more or less total takeover by the Crume Brothers! Although there are a few hangovers from the Cooke style, the album is rather different from their earlier recordings; more power-packed, less subtle.
MG
D'oh, i believe i was just looking at a 3cd boxset on amazon of Sam Cooke and the soul stirrers in that sale someone posted.