Hallelujah: Collection of Their Finest
Recorded for Hob in the late '60s after Chicago label Vee Jay folded, these sides are the last great offerings made by the Swan Silvertones prior to the Reverend Claude Jeter's departure from the group. Founded as an a cappella quartet by hair-raising, Sam Cooke-forefather lead singer Jeter around 1938 in West Virginia, the Swan Silvertones were initially called the Four Harmony Kings, but changed their name in the early '40s upon taking a Knoxville, Tennessee, radio slot sponsored by the Swan Bakery.Hallelujah's tracks fairly evenly split and/or trade lead voice between Jeter and the gravelly growl of Louis Johnson, effectively marrying the group's hard, sanctified style with the soulfully smooth falsetto groove that gave the group its signature sound. Though the big hit "Mary Don't You Weep" is absent from this collection, the Silvertones lift the rafters with their revival versions of "Only Believe," parts 1 and 2, and the supreme Jeter-Johnson vocal duel on the guitar-, snare-, and bass-supported "Amazing Grace."  Also outstanding are the velvety gorgeous "Jesus, I Love You," the gospel-soul slow funk of "I've Got Myself Together," and the intricate harmonies of "Leaning on Jesus."--Paige La Grone