Skip to main content

Church Songs: Sung and Played on the Piano by Little Brother Montgomery

Little Brother Montgomery
Church Songs: Sung and Played on the Piano by Little Brother Montgomery

Best known as a blues pianist/singer, Little Brother Montgomery (1906—1985), born in Louisiana, performed in a variety of southern locales before eventually settling in Chicago. This recording is his first album of religious songs. His relaxed, easygoing piano playing never overpowers his singing, absent on only two tracks. (“Veil of Beulah” is a piano solo, and “He'll Understand” features an unidentified female vocalist.) He also is accompanied on other tracks by backup singers and an unobtrusive guitar.

Liner notes by blues historian and biographer Stephen Calt explore African American religious song, provide information on some of the specific selections, and present a biography of Little Brother Montgomery.

This is the third and final recording Montgomery made for Folkways; the earlier two emphasized the blues (FW03527 and FW31014).

Track Listing

icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
101
Rock of Ages Little Brother Montgomery 02:10
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
102
Zion of God Little Brother Montgomery 01:30
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
103
Wilderness Little Brother Montgomery 02:10
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
104
He'll Understand Little Brother Montgomery 02:52
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
105
I Got a Father Little Brother Montgomery 03:16
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
106
This Train Little Brother Montgomery 03:13
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
107
When the Saints Go Marching In Little Brother Montgomery 03:33
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
108
God Be with You Little Brother Montgomery 02:41
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
201
Veil of Beulah Little Brother Montgomery 03:54
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
202
Study War No More (Down by the Riverside) Little Brother Montgomery 02:23
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
203
Over on that Evergreen Shore Little Brother Montgomery 01:53
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
204
In the Blood Little Brother Montgomery 01:53
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
205
Just Got Over at Last Little Brother Montgomery 02:23
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
206
It Pays to Serve Jesus Little Brother Montgomery 03:34
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
207
She Has Gone to Heaven Little Brother Montgomery 02:59
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
208
I'll Be There Little Brother Montgomery 02:40