Brother Joe May – Live 1952 – 1955

Brother Joe May earned his "Thunderbolt of the Midwest" nickname with incandescent, riveting vocals that could blow a roof off or reduce listeners to tears, often at the same time.The 16 tracks on this CD were done live, usually at services or during church performances, and they frequently paired him with the Sallie Martin Singers. While they and Prof. Earle Hines are fine, May is in another dimension. His flamboyant, dynamic voice shudders, roars, rises, moans and flails, and he fortifies the songs with commentary that's nearly as inspiring. Even devout atheists will be impressed by the power of Brother Joe May. ~ Ron Wynn Recorded 1952-1955. 

Track Listing:
1. God Leads Us Along - 5:09   2. I'm a Child of the King - 2:00   3. Move on Up a Little Higher - 4:15   4. He's Waiting for Me - 2:04   5. Old Ship of Zion - 5:25   6. Vacation in Heaven - feat: Annette May - 4:30   7. Jesus Is Real to Me - feat: Sallie Martin Singers - 4:09   8. All of My Burdens (Ain't That Good News) - 3:20   9. He's the One - feat: Annette May / Sallie Martin Singers - 3:45   10. I Want Jesus on the Road I Travel - 3:46   11. How I Got Over - feat: Sallie Martin Singers - 4:35   12. Hold to God's Unchanging Hand - feat: Sallie Martin Singers - 5:25   13. By and by When I Get Home - feat: Professor J. Earle Hines 4:00   14. Move on Up a Little Higher - feat: Sallie Martin Singers - 4:36   15. Speak, Lord Jesus - 3:10   16. He'll Understand and Say Well Done - 7:12 

Personnel:
Brother Joe May (vocals) , Theresa Childs (vocals, piano) , Cora Martin, Annette May Thomas, Fred Miller, Professor J. Earle Hines, Sallie Martin (vocals) , Henry Woods (piano); Charles Brown (organ) , The Swan Silvertones, The Original Gospel Harmonettes (background vocals)
Digitally remastered by Kirk Felton (1993, Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, California).

Reviews:

1. AllMusic - Ron Wynn
Brother Joe May earned his "Thunderbolt of the Midwest" nickname with incandescent, riveting vocals that could blow a roof off or reduce listeners to tears, often at the same time. The 16 tracks on this CD were done live, usually at services or during church performances, and they frequently paired him with the Sallie Martin Singers. While they and Prof. Earle Hines are fine, May is in another dimension. His flamboyant, dynamic voice shudders, roars, rises, moans and flails, and he fortifies the songs with commentary that's nearly as inspiring. Even devout atheists will be impressed by the power of Brother Joe May.