Ragland, WV
This black-and-white photograph from Coal Hollow by Ken and Melanie Light fascinated me: the substation has an almost sacred, chapel-like presence.Location
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Get Away Jordan
The first time I heard “Get Away Jordan” was on an obscure gospel album from West Virginia. I knew it was a White gospel group, but it sounded like a Black group. After some research, it became clear that it is indeed a traditional African American spiritual gospel song. However, I discovered another interesting connection…
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Ella Hanshaw’s Black Book
A beautiful release of Ella Hanshaw’s home recordings from her big and her little black book. This release features original gospel songs and secular country tunes that appear to span several decades. In addition to a few semi-professional recordings with her gospel group, the Hallelujah Hill Quartet, most tracks are simple tape recordings “made in…
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The Mountain Four – The Last Mile Of The Way
High-lonesome gospel esoterica from West Virginia on Salem Records. The group started in 1948, and this seems to be their first album, released in 1964. A little bit of an odd mix, with the guitars in the foreground, as if they were too close to the microphone. Nonetheless, a handful of good songs, beautiful mountain…
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Photograph by Ben Shahn, Oct 1935
PREPARE TO MEET GOD I wonder if this is an early photo of one of Henry Harrison Mayes painted signs. He put marker up in Williamson, WV, so it’s safe to assume he traveled there before. The typography seems a bit off brand though, so the sign could at least be inspired by Mayes.
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