AccuRadio Song Of The Day-The Caravans

Artist:The Caravans

Song:I Won't Be Back

Album:Where Gospel Meets Soul 1952-1962

The gospel group The Caravans are best known today as the starting point for gospel music legend Shirley Caesar. She sings lead on the 1962 classic I Won't Be Back. They started out in the late 40s but by the early 60s the lineup was more stable and they were very active during the civil rights movement. They started out in 1947 in Chicago as Robert Anderson and his Gospel Caravan. Anderson was lead singer. The Gospel Caravan was three female singers, a pianist and organist. In 1952, they were called Robert Anderson and the Caravans. They had signed a record deal with Savoy. Albertina Walker and Nellie Grace Daniels joined the group. Anderson left during the recording session and Albertina was now lead singer of the group now called The Caravans. James Cleveland joined The Caravans in 1953 and he wrote and arranged everything until he left in 1957. Albertina was the only consistent member of The Caravans. Bessie Griffin, Cassietta George and Dorothy Norwood were all members at one time. But Shirley Caesar was the key addition in 1958. Along with Delores Washington and pianist and songwriter James Herndon, that's the version of The Caravans that recorded I Won't Be Back in 1962. That was their final recording for Savoy. They signed with VeeJay. Shirley left to go solo in 1966. Albertina finally ended The Caravans in 1976. This 2CD comp from the British label Acrobat covers the Savoy recordings. Albertina reunited The Caravans occasionally and the 2006 album Paved the Way was nominated for a Grammy. The Savoy recordings are a must for gospel fans. Here's The Caravans featuring Shirley Caesar performing I Won't Be Back at Boston University 1962.