Most gospel singers tend to hitch their style to one type of gospel belting. There's hard gospel," a heavily syncopated uptempo mode that pounds along like a steam locomotive. There's "sweet gospel " the gentler, lilting expression that finds its balm in folk dirges such as Steal Away to Jesus or Go Down Moses. Then there's "hallelujah shout," which can set ginmill customers or Southern Baptist congregations to clapping and chanting at the first blaring note.
The Grandison Singers—three guileless-looking Negro girls in their 20s and a tenor-pianist—combine all three styles. They prefer...
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