It was in 1972, I took my break from work at the Milton Bradley store and walked down to the Richs Department store. It was a typical way for me to spend my break. I went upstairs at Richs to their record department and to my great surprise they had the new Inspiration Quartet album titled "We Shall Rise". Of course, I could not wait to make the purchase and the clock could not run fast enough for me to get home and listen to my new found treasure.
A couple of things I kind of chuckle about this story. First, I was making probably about $1.65 an hour and since I was still in school there were not many hours. LOL Second, it's hard to imagine a store like Richs today, even having a record department. (For those of you who may not know, Richs was a store, similar to Belks, Dilliards, or Macys.) However, I did notice Dillards in Oxford had a few vinyls and turntables when I walked through the other day. LOL
I finally made it home from work and could not wait to listen to the new recording. I could not believe all the good songs on this album. It was the Inspirations' 9th album (even though all these guys were still teenagers almost) but it was the first with Mike Holcomb as their bass singer. In my opinion, Mike brought something so new to the quartet without changing their basic sound. Immediately I felt Mike was special and that would prove so true over the years. It was such a joy listening to this new recording but I could not enjoy it for long as I had to get ready to sing myself. That evening the quartet was singing at a church revival. (I think that's why 8 Tracks, Cassettes and CDs were invented so I could take my music with me. LOL) Needless to say, I have loved The Inspirations for so many years. They have been such a blessing to me and I have so much respect for them and the work they have done for so long.
I'm not sure why I was blessed to wake up to "I've Got That Ole Time Religion" this morning. I do not recall hearing it recently. But I suspect, I will listen to all the songs on the "We Shall Rise" album as soon as I finish this blog. I love the memories. The Inspirations rerecorded this song about 6 or 7 years ago on their "No Two Ways About It" album. I'll post both links so you can enjoy hearing them sing it again after they grew up. LOL
I hope you have an inspirational Saturday. I will!
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