622 James Cleveland (1931-1991) and the Angelic Choir “Peace Be Still” 1963

“Cleveland joined the westward migration of gospel artists…Once in southern California, Cleveland opted not to enter the world of popular music or work to make gospel more contemporary-sounding. Instead, he looked back to a childhood spent singing in the choirs of Thomas Dorsey…He began recording with the First Baptist Church Choir of Nutley, New Jersey, using the massed voices of the choir as a single instrument. In 1963, Cleveland and the choir released Peace Be Still, a landmark live recording that would eventually sell more than a million copies” (Robert Darden, People Get Ready! A New History of Black Gospel Music, 2004). Listed on the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress.

James Cleveland and the Angelic Choir “Peace Be Still”