Welcome Back.

Friday finally rolls by in what has been for me the longest and most tiring week ever! To be honest I’m totally beat, and the fact that I have to crawl in again on a Saturday for a spot of unwanted overtime really isn’t ticking any boxes for me right now.

During times like this I always feel music has somewhat of a regenerative quality (for me anyway). A great track can pick you up, lift spirits and get you back on your feet as much as anything else, so what better way to banish the work demons and get into weekend mode (for you guys anyway) with another slice of ‘The Good Stuff”.

First up, before we begin you need to ensure the listening device of your choice has been turned to maximum ear bleed volume because the 45 I have lined up for you today is an absolute “Cock Puncher” (JC™)

The controversially titled ‘If You Believe Your God Is Dead (Try Mine) by The Swan Silvertones is another track I’ve been after for sometime and only just managed to secure.

Released on the Hob Is Gospel record label, today’s track comes at the tail end of the group’s extremely successful career. They released a multitude of singles and albums across several record labels including Vee-Jay, Peacock, Specialty and King.

The outfit originally consisted of Claude Jester, Eddie Bouroughas, John Myles and Leroy Watkins, although over the years over singers such as Solomon Womack, Louis Johnson and Paul Owens were also involved.

Originally named The Four Harmony Kings when the group began in 1938, they changed their name shortly after to avoid being mistaken for a rival group, The Kings Of Harmony. The name change to The Swan Silvertones also coincided with a regular gospel radio show they were involved in which was sponsored by Swan Bakeries.

‘If You Believe Your God Is Dead (Try Mine)’ is very different to the majority of the group’s output. Far more upfront and instrument led and almost a million miles away from their earlier ‘Jubilee style’ gospel offerings.

The cut kicks off with a great joint guitar and organ intro before the heavy drums drop in setting the pace. Another example of just how a guitar can be percussive as the lick completely complements the drums, pushing everything along. Make sure you lend an ear to the background where you can hear the organ and piano duelling it out through out the 45. Once the vocals fall in on this, it grabs you kicking and screaming and pulls you through the full 2-minute gospel funk work out!

This 45 has seen a bit of resurgence of late with copies changing hands on Ebay for £100+ of late. Fortunately thanks to a friendly record dealer mine was scored for a far more bank balance friendly price!

I hope you enjoy the 45 as much as I do, stay safe and I’ll be back after the weekend with another offering for you.