5 Faves: Albertina Walker Top Video Clips

Posted October 9, 2010 by J Matthew Cobb in Features

One gospel legend. Five video clips. It’s our 5 faves from the crowned ‘Queen of Gospel’ – Albertina Walker.

Albertina Walker, who passed away October 8, left gospel music lovers with so much to rejoice about. With 40 albums spanning the Queen of Gospel’s 40+ year career in music, it’s pretty difficult to start picking a handful of favorites from such a exhaustive stack. But five videos in particular via YouTube are certainly worth checking out.

#1:
“Your Grace”
(Bobby Jones Gospel)

She gets so emotional and “happy” towards the end that she runs off the stage. When Nuana Dunlap jumps in with closing ad-libs, Tina runs back on the stage, drops the mic with such unspeakable joy. Dunlap tries to hand her the mic but Tina simply doesn’t want it. You just have to see it.

#2:
“If I Perish”
(Save the Children, 1972)

At a Jesse Jackson awareness rally, The King and Queen delight the audiences with some soulful unbridled Baptist power. The unexpected happens when a choir member is heard ad-libbing. Then sanctified chaos breaks out.

#3:
“Lord Keep Me Day By Day”
(James Cleveland’s funeral)

After a intro from Al Hobbs, Albertina Walker jumps into her most remembered tune as a Caravan. She milks the lyrics for the occasion, particularly the “I need a little more grace” and “I got another building” part. The late Walter Hawkins is also seen in the footage. Two great Christian soldiers gone.

#4:
“Lord Remember Me”
(from ‘Songs of the Church’ live recording)

The late O’landa Draper delivers his flashy, energetic director skills on the stage with a gutsy, soulful Albertina Walker. The nine-minute track also features her whispering sweet thank-yous to God with such reverent buoyancy. James Cleveland, if alive to see this, would’ve been proud of this moment. Who said you can’t worship in traditional gospel?

#5:
“Sail Away (Some Bright Morning)”
(1972, audio only)

Take some sweet Philly soul and cup it with the Caravans’ harmonies and you’ve got a nice mix for a crossover. Not sure why people slept on “Sail Away.” It’s the stuff that made Al Green the quintessential soul crooner of the ‘70’s.