I saw the Swan Silvertones along with the Spirit of Memphis in Charleston, SC, 1951. Claude Jeter turned the church out and literally had women passing out. He was the only singer who could switch between falsetto and baritone between notes. He mastered voice control. The other leader is Louis Johnson formerly of a group from Sumter, SC. In the background is the infamous Paul Owens who started with the Nightingales, then to the Dixie Hummingbirds, then the Swan Silvertones, and back with the Dixie Hummingbirds until his death is 2002. Hear Paul Owens and Claude Jeter on "Mary Don't You Weep." I sat down and talked with Paul Owens in 1994 and he was very down to earth. By the way, this song is "Only Believe." That concert in 1951 got me hooked on Gospel music for life.
I found this last night. I've watched it now about ten times. This is music. notice no one trying to get face time or out sing each other. Pure sound. Notice the mic work. amazing and sooooo smooth
Rev. Claude Jeter, I am happy to have met you in person. Those visits in your hospital room, talking about the song you wrote about your mother. You are up their with the maker.
I love this clip. This was REAL music. Like someone said before, I like how the background used one mic and the lead had the other. You had to know just how to stand to get that perfect blend. This is the era that my Dad and his brothers sung in. They knew all of these groups. The performers on this clip are (L-R): Claude Jeter (lead), William (Pete) Conner (bass), John Henry Myles (baritone), Louis Johnson ("the preacher"/2nd tenor), Paul Owens (tenor), and playing guitar was Linwood Hargrove.
Great clip. How can anything with Claude Jeter NOT be great! Very inspirational and influential. Two of my favorite singers came from this group, Claude Jeter and Solomon Womack.
Jeter and the entire group might be considered unsurpassed. Seeing this time-stamped recording reminds me of my kid days, the old streetcorner jamming days, when you had to know how to sing before the guys would let you in. These guys were always my favs.
This is 1966 i think. this exact version of this song is on a cd called gospel at newport 1966. I once had it but cant find it now. Thats why Im so glad someone posted this. Thanks.
I just saw a film called "Rejoice And Shout" that contains a different song from what looks like the same performance. They were mesmerizing. That four minutes of the film is easily worth the price of admission (but the rest of the film is wonderful, too). ps - I have nothing to do with the film or its exhibition. Just a major fan of these great groups.
richard leary this was one song in their performance at the 1966 Newport Jazz Festival. On the same stage that day were the Dixie Hummingbirds and Dorothy Love Coates and the Gospel Harmonettes. I can't even imagine how HOT it got at those performances that day. There are two DH performances on here from that day as well. Check them out.
![The Mighty Clouds Of Joy • Three Song Gospel Set • LIVE 1964 [RITY Archive]](/img/1.gif)
I saw the Swan Silvertones along with the Spirit of Memphis in
Charleston, SC, 1951. Claude Jeter turned the church out and literally had women passing out. He was the only singer who could switch between falsetto and baritone between notes. He mastered voice control. The other leader is Louis Johnson formerly of a group from Sumter, SC. In the background is the infamous Paul Owens who started with the Nightingales, then to the Dixie Hummingbirds, then the Swan Silvertones, and back with the Dixie Hummingbirds until his death is 2002. Hear Paul Owens and Claude Jeter on "Mary Don't You Weep." I sat down and talked with Paul Owens in 1994 and he was very down to earth. By the way, this song is "Only Believe." That concert in 1951 got me hooked on Gospel music for life.
I found this last night. I've watched it now about ten times. This is music. notice no one trying to get face time or out sing each other. Pure sound. Notice the mic work. amazing and sooooo smooth
Rev. Claude Jeter, I am happy to have met you in person. Those visits in your hospital room, talking about the song you wrote about your mother. You are up their with the maker.
I love this clip. This was REAL music. Like someone said before, I like how the background used one mic and the lead had the other. You had to know just how to stand to get that perfect blend. This is the era that my Dad and his brothers sung in. They knew all of these groups. The performers on this clip are (L-R): Claude Jeter (lead), William (Pete) Conner (bass), John Henry Myles (baritone), Louis Johnson ("the preacher"/2nd tenor), Paul Owens (tenor), and playing guitar was Linwood Hargrove.
Fantastic !! Jeter has an amazing vocal range... the rest of the group work really well with that.
Great clip.
How can anything with Claude Jeter NOT be great! Very inspirational and influential.
Two of my favorite singers came from this group, Claude Jeter and Solomon Womack.
Jeter and the entire group might be considered unsurpassed. Seeing this time-stamped recording reminds me of my kid days, the old streetcorner jamming days, when you had to know how to sing before the guys would let you in. These guys were always my favs.
I love Claude Jeter's falsetto.....so delicate and natural.
What a great tenor voice Claude had.
This is 1966 i think.
this exact version of this song is on a cd called gospel at newport 1966. I once had it but cant find it now. Thats why Im so glad someone posted this. Thanks.
yesterday vs today, no contest! RIP Swans.
I just saw a film called "Rejoice And Shout" that contains a different song from what looks like the same performance. They were mesmerizing. That four minutes of the film is easily worth the price of admission (but the rest of the film is wonderful, too).
ps - I have nothing to do with the film or its exhibition. Just a major fan of these great groups.
...EXTRAORDINARY""!! Every sunday from now on in''. Am a Rock turned Lava'.
I LOVED THIS...I LOVED AMERICAN MUSIC...BLACK, WHITE,
richard leary this was one song in their performance at the 1966 Newport Jazz Festival. On the same stage that day were the Dixie Hummingbirds and Dorothy Love Coates and the Gospel Harmonettes. I can't even imagine how HOT it got at those performances that day. There are two DH performances on here from that day as well. Check them out.
Al Green's inspiration.
Just Simply Amazing!!
I miss how these quartets use to share only one microphone & the lead had his own mic.
The best ever..Claude Jeter...
JUST BELIEVE. GOODBYE PAPA. LOVE ALWAYS-
amazing...genius
That's my ancestors Jeter strong name
The best of the best are the Silvertones.
Awesome.......
Wow. I can appreciate this
@jumaepw Claude Jeter is layin' it down in the most heaviest fashion somewhere in the universe for all of eternity!
The best ever!!!!!
feel it
wow
what is the name of the other brother sharing lead vocals with Rev. Jeter???
can you send me a cd on him and any old skool groups i work at a radio station 910am radio s please hit me up.
Having a bow down day!
Does this song have an actual title?
When and where was this recorded?
This looks like the 1950's to me, based on the quality of the film.
@jumaepw Brother Claude Jeter passed away several years ago. Sorry, but he was one of my favorite singers. There will not be another like him.