# Mitchell's Christian Singers

Mitchell's Christian Singers were an American gospel music group who recorded prolifically between 1934 and 1940.

## Musical career

Formed in the early 1930s in Kinston, North Carolina, the group initially featured William Brown (lead tenor), Julius Davis (tenor), Louis "Panella" David (baritone) and Lewis Herring (bass), all former farmers. Later, two of them drove trucks, one was a carpenter and one a tobacco-factory hand. Good friends, they gradually drifted into the habit of singing together in the evenings after work.
They were discovered by J. B. Long, a talent scout for the American Record Company who was also responsible for discovering Blind Boy Fuller. Originally known as the "New Four Quartet," they were managed by former singer Willie Mitchell and first recorded in August 1934 as "Mitchell's New Four Singers" under the supervision of producer William Calloway. In 1935, Herring left and was replaced by Sam Bryant. When they recorded again in 1936, they did so under the name of "Mitchell's Christian Singers". They recorded over 80 songs over six years, released on seven different labels owned by the American Record Company. They became more widely known after performing at the From Spirituals to Swing concert presented by John Hammond in Carnegie Hall on 23 December 1938. Their last recordings were in 1940, after which they occasionally performed at community functions in Kinston.
They pioneered a 'primitive' idiosyncratic style of a cappella gospel singing: curiously wailing, syncopated spirituals, with a "down home" quality, featuring with an interplay of voices that anticipated the sound of post-war gospel quartets. Their material was mostly standard quartet fare like "What Are They Are Doing in Heaven?", "Traveling Shoes", "Swing Low Sweet Chariot", etc.

## Discography

| Label / Catalog # | Date | Title | Matrix # | Ref |
| Banner 33434 | 8/21/1934 | Here Am I | 15678 | ME13401 |
| Perfect 327 | 8/21/1934 | Here Am I | 15678=2 | OR8469 |
| Melotone 13401 | 8/21/1934 | Here I Am | 15678 | BA33434 |
| Banner 33390 | 8/21/1934 | I'm on My Way | 15680 | ME13357 |
| Melotone 13357 | 8/21/1934 | I'm on My Way | 15680 | BA33390 |
| Banner 33195 | 8/21/1934 | Mother Where Was You | 15681 | ME13162 |
| Melotone 13162 | 8/21/1934 | Mother Where Was You | 15681 | CQ8457 |
| Conqueror 8457 | 8/21/1934 | Mother, Where Was You? | 15681 | RO5381 |
| Perfect 297 | 8/21/1934 | Mother, Where Was You? | 15681=1 | OR8381 |
| Conqueror 8497 | 8/21/1934 | On My Way | 15680 | - |
| Perfect 319 | 8/21/1934 | On My Way | 15680=2 | OR8451 |
| Melotone 5-12-67 | 8/21/1934 | Them Bones | 15676 | - |
| Banner 33196 | 8/21/1934 | Traveling Shoes | 15679 | ME13163 |
| Melotone 13163 | 8/21/1934 | Traveling Shoes | 15679 | BA33196 |
| Perfect 298 | 8/21/1934 | Traveling Shoes | 15679=2 | OR8382 |
| Perfect 326 | 8/21/1934 | What Are They Doing in Heaven | 15677=1 | OR8468 |
| Banner 33433 | 8/21/1934 | What Are They Doing in Heaven? | 15677=1 | ME13400 |
| Conqueror 8431 | 8/21/1934 | What Are They Doing in Heaven? | 15677=1 | ME13400 |
| Melotone 13400 | 8/21/1934 | What Are They Doing in Heaven? | 15677=1 | BA33433 |
| Banner 33283 | 8/21/1934 | When a Man Feels Discouraged | 15675=2 | ME13250 |
| Conqueror 8414 | 8/21/1934 | When a Man Feels Discouraged | 15675=2 | ME13250 |
| Melotone 13250 | 8/21/1934 | When a Man Feels Discouraged | 15675=2 | BA33283 |
| Perfect 305 | 8/21/1934 | When a Man Feels Discouraged | 15675=2 | OR8409 |
| Banner 33390 | 8/22/1934 | Angels Will Roll the Stone Away | 15686 | ME13357 |
| Conqueror 8497 | 8/22/1934 | Angels Will Roll the Stone Away | 15686 | ME13357 |
| Perfect 319 | 8/22/1934 | Angels Will Roll the Stone Away | 15686=1 | OR8451 |
| Melotone 13357 | 8/22/1934 | Angels Will Roll the Stones Away | 15686 | CQ8497 |
| Conqueror 8873 | 8/22/1934 | Are You Working on the Building | 15688 | - |
| Perfect 298 | 8/22/1934 | Are You Working on the Building | 15688=1 | OR8382 |
| Banner 33196 | 8/22/1934 | Are You Working on the Building? | 15688 | ME13163 |
| Melotone 13163 | 8/22/1934 | Are You Working on the Building? | 15688 | BA33196 |
| Melotone 6-04-64 | 8/22/1934 | Gonna Shout All Over God's Heaven | 15684 | - |
| Banner 33434 | 8/22/1934 | Homey Homey | 15687 | ME13401 |
| Perfect 327 | 8/22/1934 | Homey Homey | 15687=2 | OR8469 |
| Melotone 13401 | 8/22/1934 | Homey, Homey | 15687 | BA33434 |
| Banner 33433 | 8/22/1934 | How About You | 15689=2 | ME13400 |
| Perfect 326 | 8/22/1934 | How About You | 15689=2 | OR8468 |
| Vocalion 04394 | 8/22/1934 | How About You | 15689=2 | OR8468 |
| Conqueror 8431 | 8/22/1934 | How About You? | 15689=2 | ME13400 |
| Melotone 13400 | 8/22/1934 | How About You? | 15689=2 | CQ8431 |
| Banner 33283 | 8/22/1934 | Lean Your Head Out the Window | 15683=1 | ME13250 |
| Conqueror 8414 | 8/22/1934 | Lean Your Head Out the Window | 15683=1 | ME13250 |
| Melotone 13250 | 8/22/1934 | Lean Your Head Out the Window | 15683 | CQ8414 |
| Perfect 305 | 8/22/1934 | Lean Your Head Out the Window | 15683=1 | OR8409 |
| Conqueror 8873 | 8/22/1934 | Somewhere in Heaven | 15690 | ME51267 |
| Melotone 5-12-67 | 8/22/1934 | Somewhere in Heaven | 15690 | CQ8873 |
| Melotone 6-04-64 | 8/22/1934 | Swing Low Sweet Chariot | 15682 | - |
| Banner 33195 | 8/22/1934 | They Scandalized My Name | 15685 | ME13162 |
| Conqueror 8457 | 8/22/1934 | They Scandalized My Name | 15685 | ME13162 |
| Melotone 13162 | 8/22/1934 | They Scandalized My Name | 15685 | BA33195 |
| Perfect 297 | 8/22/1934 | They Scandalized My Name | 15685=1 | OR8381 |
| Conqueror 8872 | 4/28/1936 | Count Out the Angels | 19154=1 | ME70572 |
| Columbia 30073 | 4/28/1936 | Got My Ticket | 19132=1 | CO37696 |
| Columbia 37696 | 4/28/1936 | Got My Ticket | 19132=1 | 30073 |
| Melotone 7-03-62 | 4/28/1936 | Got My Ticket | 19132=1 | VO3099z |
| Conqueror 8927 | 4/28/1936 | Lord, I Can't Turn Back | 19151=1 | ME60962 |
| Melotone 6-09-62 | 4/28/1936 | Lord, I Can't Turn Back | 19151 | CQ8927 |
| Conqueror 8927 | 4/28/1936 | New Dry Bones | 19133=1 | ME60962 |
| Melotone 6-09-62 | 4/28/1936 | New Dry Bones | 19133 | CQ8927 |
| Melotone 7-01-71 | 4/28/1936 | Repair Me | 19148 | - |
| Columbia 30072 | 4/28/1936 | Standing by the Bedside | 19129=1 | CO37695 |
| Melotone 6-12-53 | 4/28/1936 | Standing by the Bedside | 19129=1 | CQ8769 |
| Conqueror 8769 | 4/28/1936 | Standing by the Riverside | 19129=1 | ME61253 |
| Columbia 30072 | 4/28/1936 | What Kind of Shoes Do the Angels Wear | 19146=1 | CO37695 |
| Columbia 37695 | 4/28/1936 | What Kind of Shoes Do the Angels Wear | 19146=1 | 30072 |
| Conqueror 8769 | 4/28/1936 | What Kind of Shoes Do the Angels Wear | 19146=1 | ME61253 |
| Melotone 6-12-53 | 4/28/1936 | What Kind of Shoes Do the Angels Wear | 19146=1 | CQ8769 |
| Columbia 37694 | 4/28/1936 | What More Can Jesus Do | 19147=1 | 30071 |
| Conqueror 9416 | 4/28/1936 | What More Can Jesus Do | 19147=1 | ME60758 |
| Melotone 6-07-58 | 4/28/1936 | What More Can Jesus Do | 19147=1 | CQ9416 |
| Conqueror 9416 | 4/28/1936 | Who Was John? | 19152 | ME60758 |
| Melotone 6-12-54 | 4/28/1936 | You Rise Up | 19149=2 | - |
| Melotone 7-01-71 | 4/28/1936 | You See the Sign of Judgement | 19150 | - |
| Conqueror 8872 | 4/29/1936 | Come on Ezekial Let's Go 'Round the Wall | 19153=1 | ME70572 |
| Melotone 7-05-72 | 4/29/1936 | Come on Ezekiel, Let's Go 'Round the Hall | 19153=1 | CQ8872 |
| Melotone 7-05-72 | 4/29/1936 | Count Out the Angels | 19154=2 | CQ8872 |
| Vocalion 03016 | 4/29/1936 | Count Out the Angels | 19154=2 | CQ8872 |
| Melotone 6-12-54 | 4/29/1936 | Go Ye Prodigal Son | 19155 | - |
| Vocalion 03024 | 4/29/1936 | Lord, I Can't Turn Back | 19151 | ME60962 |
| Columbia 30073 | 4/29/1936 | Out on the Ocean Sailing | 19156=1 | CO37696 |
| Columbia 37696 | 4/29/1936 | Out on the Ocean Sailing | 19156=1 | 30073 |
| Melotone 7-03-62 | 4/29/1936 | Out on the Ocean Sailing | 19156=1 | VO3099z |
| Vocalion 03074 | 4/29/1936 | What Kinda Shoes Do the Angels Wear? | 19146=1 | - |
| Columbia 30071 | 4/29/1936 | What More Can Jesus Do | 19147=1 | CO37694 |
| Columbia 30071 | 4/29/1936 | Who Was John | 19152=1 | CO37694 |
| Columbia 37694 | 4/29/1936 | Who Was John | 19152=1 | 30071 |
| Melotone 6-07-58 | 4/29/1936 | Who Was John | 19152=1 | CQ9416 |
| Vocalion 03015 | 4/29/1936 | Who Was John | 19152=1 | ME60758 |
| Melotone 8-01-67 | 8/10/1937 | Hide Me Oh Lord | 21483 | VO3279z |
| Conqueror 8929 | 8/10/1937 | I Swore to the Lord | 21486=1 | - |
| Melotone 8-01-67 | 8/10/1937 | I Swore to the Lord | 21486 | VO3279z |
| Vocalion 03279 | 8/10/1937 | I Swore to the Lord | 21486 | ME80167 |
| Vocalion 04055 | 8/10/1937 | I Want Somebody to Tell Me | 21482 | - |
| Columbia 30091 | 8/10/1937 | I'm Praying Humble | 21485=2 | CO37789 |
| Columbia 37789 | 8/10/1937 | I'm Praying Humble | 21485=2 | 30091 |
| Conqueror 8928 | 8/10/1937 | I'm Praying Humble | 21485=2 | ME71159 |
| Melotone 7-11-59 | 8/10/1937 | I'm Praying Humble | 21485=2 | CQ8928 |
| Columbia 30092 | 8/10/1937 | Jesus Christ of Nazareth | 21489=1 | CO37790 |
| Columbia 37790 | 8/10/1937 | Jesus Christ of Nazareth | 21489=1 | 30092 |
| Conqueror 8929 | 8/10/1937 | Jesus Christ of Nazareth | 21489=1 | ME71259 |
| Conqueror 8945 | 8/10/1937 | Jesus Christ of Nazareth | 21489=1 | VO3235z |
| Melotone 7-12-59 | 8/10/1937 | Jesus Christ of Nazareth | 21489 | CQ8929 |
| Columbia 30074 | 8/10/1937 | Walkin' With My Savior | 21488=2 | CO37697 |
| Conqueror 9001 | 8/10/1937 | Walkin' With My Savior | 21488=2 | ME80355 |
| Columbia 37697 | 8/10/1937 | Walkin' With My Saviour | 21488=2 | CO30074 |
| Melotone 8-03-55 | 8/10/1937 | Walking With My Savior | 21488=2 | CQ9001 |
| Vocalion 03318 | 8/10/1937 | Walking With My Savior | 21488=2 | - |
| Columbia 37697 | 8/10/1937 | We Want to Have a Talk With Jesus | 21487=2 | 30074 |
| Conqueror 9001 | 8/10/1937 | We Want to Have a Talk With Jesus | 21487=2 | ME80355 |
| Melotone 8-03-55 | 8/10/1937 | We Want to Have a Talk With Jesus | 21487=2 | CQ9001 |
| Vocalion 04055 | 8/10/1937 | Yes My Lord I Done Done | 21490 | - |
| Vocalion 04176 | 8/10/1937 | You Got to Make a Change | 21484 | - |
| Columbia 30092 | 8/11/1937 | Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit | 21499=1 | CO37790 |
| Columbia 37790 | 8/11/1937 | Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit | 21499=1 | 30092 |
| Conqueror 8945 | 8/11/1937 | Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit | 21499=1 | VO3235z |
| Melotone 7-12-59 | 8/11/1937 | Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit | 21499 | - |
| Vocalion 03235 | 8/11/1937 | Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit | 21499 | CQ8945 |
| Columbia 30091 | 8/11/1937 | I Don't Care Where You Bury My Body | 21501=2 | CO37789 |
| Columbia 37789 | 8/11/1937 | I Don't Care Where You Bury My Body | 21501=2 | 30091 |
| Conqueror 8928 | 8/11/1937 | I Don't Care Where You Bury My Body | 21501=2 | - |
| Melotone 7-11-59 | 8/11/1937 | I Don't Care Where You Bury My Body | 21501=2 | - |
| Vocalion 03180 | 8/11/1937 | I Don't Care Where You Bury My Body | 21502=2 | - |
| Conqueror 9029 | 8/11/1937 | I Got to Go to Judgement | 21502=1 | - |
| Melotone 8-04-57 | 8/11/1937 | I Got to Go to Judgement | 21502=1 | - |
| Conqueror 9080 | 8/11/1937 | My Lord I'm Trampin' | 21503 | - |
| Vocalion 04122 | 8/11/1937 | My Lord I'm Tramping | 21503=2 | - |
| Columbia 30075 | 8/11/1937 | My Lord, I'm Trampin' | 21503=2 | CO37698 |
| Columbia 37698 | 8/11/1937 | My Lord, I'm Trampin' | 21503=2 | 30075 |
| Conqueror 9029 | 8/11/1937 | My Mother Had to Kneel Down | 21498=1 | - |
| Melotone 8-04-57 | 8/11/1937 | My Mother Had to Kneel Down | 21498 | - |
| Vocalion 03409 | 8/11/1937 | My Mother Had to Kneel Down | 21498 | - |
| Columbia 30075 | 8/11/1937 | My Time Ain't Long | 21500=1 | CO37698 |
| Columbia 37698 | 8/11/1937 | My Time Ain't Long | 21500=1 | 30075 |
| Conqueror 9080 | 8/11/1937 | My Time Ain't Long | 21500 | - |
| Vocalion 04122 | 8/11/1937 | My Time Ain't Long | 21500=1 | - |
| Columbia 30074 | 8/11/1937 | We Want to Have a Talk With Jesus | 21487=2 | CO37697 |
| Vocalion 04913 | 7/6/1938 | Jesus Hear Me Praying | 23193 | - |
| Columbia 30076 | 7/6/1938 | My Mother's Gone to Glory | 23192=1 | CO37699 |
| Columbia 37699 | 7/6/1938 | My Mother's Gone to Glory | 23192=1 | 30076 |
| Conqueror 9081 | 7/6/1938 | My Mother's Gone to Glory | 23192=1 | - |
| Vocalion 04273 | 7/6/1938 | My Mother's Gone to Glory | 23192 | - |
| Conqueror 9159 | 7/6/1938 | While He's Passing By | 23194 | - |
| Vocalion 04472 | 7/6/1938 | While He's Passing By | 23194 | - |
| Conqueror 9159 | 7/7/1938 | Brother Come on In | 23205=1 | - |
| Vocalion 04472 | 7/7/1938 | Brother Come on In | 23205=1 | - |
| Vocalion 04844 | 7/7/1938 | Drinkin' of the Holy Wine | 23200 | - |
| Columbia 30094 | 7/7/1938 | I Got a Letter From Jesus | 23197=1 | CO37792 |
| Columbia 37792 | 7/7/1938 | I Got a Letter From Jesus | 23197=1 | 30094 |
| Conqueror 9417 | 7/7/1938 | I Heard the Preachin' of the Elders | 23202=1 | - |
| Conqueror 9359 | 7/7/1938 | I Need to Be More Like Jesus | 23206 | - |
| Vocalion 05097 | 7/7/1938 | I Need to Be More Like Jesus | 23206 | CQ9359 |
| Columbia 30093 | 7/7/1938 | Jesus Goin' to Make Up My Dying Bed | 23203=1 | CO37791 |
| Vocalion 04357 | 7/7/1938 | Jesus Goin' to Make Up My Dying Bed | 23203 | - |
| Columbia 37791 | 7/7/1938 | Jesus Gonna' Make Up My Mind | 23203=1 | 30093 |
| Columbia 37699 | 7/7/1938 | Judgement Is Comin' | 23204=1 | 30076 |
| Columbia 30076 | 7/7/1938 | Judgement Is Coming | 23204=1 | CO37699 |
| Conqueror 9081 | 7/7/1938 | Judgement Is Coming | 23204=1 | - |
| Columbia 30094 | 7/7/1938 | Lord Have Mercy | 23195=1 | CO37792 |
| Vocalion 04418 | 7/7/1938 | Lord Have Mercy | 23195 | - |
| Columbia 37791 | 7/7/1938 | Saints Are Marching | 23196=1 | 30093 |
| Columbia 30093 | 7/7/1938 | The Saints Are Marching | 23196=1 | CO37791 |
| Conqueror 9417 | 7/7/1938 | Up on the Mountain | 23198=1 | - |
| Vocalion 04593 | 7/7/1938 | Up on the Mountain | 23198=1 | CQ9417 |
| Conqueror 9274 | 12/27/1938 | Ain't Gonna Lay My Receiver Down | 23876=1 | - |
| Vocalion 04844 | 12/27/1938 | Are You Living Humble | 23880 | - |
| Conqueror 9360 | 12/27/1938 | Are You Living Humble? | 23880 | - |
| Vocalion 04783 | 12/27/1938 | I Ain't Gonna Lay My Receiver Down | 23876=1 | - |
| Conqueror 9360 | 12/27/1938 | I'm Gonna Do What My Lord Said | 23875 | - |
| Vocalion 04964 | 12/27/1938 | I'm Gonna Do What My Lord Says | 23875 | - |
| Vocalion 04720 | 12/27/1938 | My Poor Mother Died A-Shouting | 23879 | - |
| Conqueror 9285 | 12/27/1938 | My Poor Mother Dies A-Shouting | 23879=1 | - |
| Conqueror 9285 | 12/27/1938 | Rock My Soul in the Bosom of Abraham | 23878=1 | - |
| Conqueror 9359 | 12/27/1938 | Way Down in Egypt Land | 23881 | - |
| Vocalion 05097 | 12/27/1938 | Way Down in Egyptland | 23881 | CQ9359 |
| Conqueror 9274 | 12/27/1938 | Won't I Be Glad When I Get to Heaven | 23877=1 | - |
| Columbia 37483 | 8/6/1940 | Bridegroom's Coming | WC3216 | 30050 |
| Columbia 30046 | 8/6/1940 | Don't You Want That Stone? | WC3232=A | CO37479 |
| Columbia 37479 | 8/6/1940 | Don't You Want That Stone? | WC3232 | 30046 |
| Okeh 06081 | 8/6/1940 | Don't You Want That Stone? | WC3232 | Co37479 |
| Columbia 30045 | 8/6/1940 | Famine in the Land | WC3229=A | CO37478 |
| Columbia 30045 | 8/6/1940 | Go Where I Send Thee | WC3231=A | CO37478 |
| Columbia 30048 | 8/6/1940 | I Want Jesus to Be Around | WC3215=A | CO37481 |
| Columbia 37481 | 8/6/1940 | I Want Jesus to Be Around | WC3215 | 30048 |
| Okeh 05948 | 8/6/1940 | I Want Jesus to Be Around | WC3215 | - |
| Columbia 30047 | 8/6/1940 | Lead Me On | WC3218=A | CO37480 |
| Conqueror 9770 | 8/6/1940 | Lead Me On | C3218 | - |
| Okeh 05995 | 8/6/1940 | Lead Me On | WC3218 | CQ9770 |
| Columbia 30048 | 8/6/1940 | Lead Me to That Rock | WC3214=A | CO37481 |
| Columbia 37481 | 8/6/1940 | Lead Me to That Rock | WC3214 | 30048 |
| Okeh 05948 | 8/6/1940 | Lead Me to That Rock | WC3214 | - |
| Columbia 37480 | 8/6/1940 | Lead On | WC3218 | 30047 |
| Columbia 30046 | 8/6/1940 | Take My Hand | WC3217=A | CO37479 |
| Columbia 37479 | 8/6/1940 | Take My Hand | WC3217 | 30046 |
| Conqueror 9770 | 8/6/1940 | Take My Hand | C3217 | - |
| Okeh 06081 | 8/6/1940 | Take My Hand | WC3217 | - |
| Columbia 30050 | 8/6/1940 | The Bridegroom's Coming | WC3216=A | CO37483 |
| Okeh 05786 | 8/6/1940 | The Bridegroom's Coming | WC3216 | - |
| Columbia 30050 | 8/6/1940 | Walk With Me | WC3230=A | CO37483 |
| Columbia 30049 | 8/7/1940 | Don't Drive Them Away | WC3227=A | CO37482 |
| Columbia 37482 | 8/7/1940 | Don't Drive Them Away | WC3227 | 30049 |
| Okeh 05835 | 8/7/1940 | Don't Drive Them Away | WC3227 | - |
| Columbia 37478 | 8/7/1940 | Famine in the Land | WC3229 | 30045 |
| Conqueror 9769 | 8/7/1940 | Famine in the Land | C3229 | - |
| Okeh 06117 | 8/7/1940 | Famine in the Land | WC3229 | Co30045 |
| Columbia 37478 | 8/7/1940 | Go Where I Send Thee | WC3231 | 30045 |
| Conqueror 9769 | 8/7/1940 | Go Where I Send Thee | C3231 | - |
| Okeh 06117 | 8/7/1940 | Go Where I Send Thee | WC3231 | Co37478 |
| Columbia 30047 | 8/7/1940 | Jesus Is Everything to Me | WC3228=A | CO37480 |
| Columbia 37480 | 8/7/1940 | Jesus Is Everything to Me | WC3228 | 30047 |
| Okeh 05995 | 8/7/1940 | Jesus Is Everything to Me | WC3228 | - |
| Columbia 30049 | 8/7/1940 | Kneel Down and Pray | WC3237=A | CO37482 |
| Columbia 37482 | 8/7/1940 | Kneel Down and Pray | WC3237 | 30049 |
| Okeh 05835 | 8/7/1940 | Kneel Down and Pray | WC3237 | - |
| Columbia 37483 | 8/7/1940 | Walk With Me | WC3230 | 30050 |