Episode 7: R.H. Harris & the Invention of Soul

In the early days of gospel music there were two ways of singing. The first style came out of the post-Civil War black universities where groups harmonized on spirituals that were old even then, rolling their R's and clicking their enunciation. The other style was less formal, largely congregational, growing out of the new sanctified congregations inspired by the Azuza Street Revival, singing newly written songs from 1920s songbooks like Gospel Pearls. When RH Harris joined the Soul Stirrers gospel quartet in 1938 he fused the two styles effectively creating soul singing and influencing everyone within earshot.

Five years after Harris' death his influence is everywhere, but the greatest of his records are not. Short of spending the next 25 years collecting 78s, there is simply no way to hear Harris' greatest records of the 1940s, not in decent sound anyway.

Today's episode of Down in the Flood is dedicated to the greatest singer you've never heard in your life, the man who basically invented soul singing, the great Rebert H. Harris.

Listen to Down in the Flood Episode 7: R.H. Harris & the Invention of Soul (43:44 min, 41MB)

Comments

[Shaun Chandran]

I have been a long time fan of the late great Sam Cooke and only recently truly indulged in his earlier works with the Soul Stirrers. This led me to buying the 3disc complete set of the Soul Stirrers featuring Sam Cooke. This led me to a exploration of who's who and the people that influenced Sam, the Soul Stirrers, pre and post Sam Cooke Soul Stirrers, SARS and everything that was associated to the beautiful voice and soul of Sam Cooke. This search has now led me to RH Harris and I am grateful to the Down In The Flood: Ep 7: RH Harris & the Invention of Soul for educating me. What a delightful episode and I would like to thank you for making it available on the web. Also, I was wondering where the "Amazing Grace" right at the end of the program comes from? I plan to purchase that Japanese import of the Stirrers early sides. I know you warn us in the program of the poor sound quality but I guess for the time being poor sound quality is better than no sound quality :)

Is there anything else you could recommend from RH Harris?! I'm already in the process of purchasing "Shine on Me". And through your program have become his 2nd biggest fan :)

Thank you once again for the lesson :)

OneLove
sHaUN

[Aretha Rambo]

Hello, my name is Aretha Rambo when I was a young child my favorite singer was Sam Cooke and my favorite song by him is Lord Remember Me. I know that Sam was moved by RH Harris but when I heard I won't turn back. I knew where Sam Cooke style came from by the Grace of God. Sam Cooke is still my favorite but RH Harris is like Sam's Cooke in a past life. His voice is blessed.

[Rev. Donnie Addison]

Thank you so much for such a wonderful presentation on one of my all-time favorite gospel vocalists. Many are unaware, but R.H. Harris recorded until 1989 with The Masonic Quintet. His last recording was called "Song's We'll Never Forget" and it features one of the greatest renditions of "Because He Lives" you will ever hear. During the early 1980s Harris recorded several LPs with the Masonic for his RHJC record label. Albums like "Because He Lives", and "Only God" come to mind. My favorite post-Soul Stirrer LP on Harris is probally one of the greatest recorded examples of his amazing vocal control and range the LP "Father of Them All" by R.H. Harris & The Masonic Quintet recorded in 1976 on the Nashboro label. R.H. Harris also privately released some LIVE Concert recordings of him with the Masonic Quintet from the late 1970s and early 1980s. Pop Harris was a genius. On these LIVE recordings Harris recites entire chapters of the Bible before launching into songs from yesteryear. I say all this to simply say you are right on it when you speak of R.H. Harris as the greatest vocalist most people have never heard.

[Arthur Proctor]

Thanks for this great piece on RH Harris. Beam of Heaven is a masterpiece Mr. Harris recorded in 1978. I never hear him sound better......