Clara Ward

[Operaboy1992]

Praise God Ms.Agnes Got Good control over that High Range

[riawlriawlriawl]

nOW THAT IS A SOPRANO

[Joshua12254]

@riawlriawlriawl Amen!! Right she know she sung that

[Ministerdlyne]

Lady you betta sing in Zflat

[elmomich]

The chick at :31 looks like Shug Avery. :) Don't know her name though.

[blacqueangel80]

Are we sure that it was Mariah who perfected the high note, or was it Sis. AGNES JACKSON?!?! The entire performance was incredible, and Malvilyn betta quit it with them DRY BONES!!! Go on girl!

[WoodeytheBigEyedOne]

Speak on it !

[jddrew1000]

Is she still alive?

[KingMufasa15]

HUH GLORY! It takes me back to the days when I saw them perform live.

[storrs19]

Black people make church fun and exciting and I mean that in a serious way, not being racist oir anything. They have fun at church while celebrating God and Jesus Christ as it should be. Thanks for sharing this great clip from an awesome show that should be on tv, The Flip Wilson Show. Now we have 200 channels and nothing on any of them.

[JamesPriceJohnson]

actually we have over a thousand, and your right. the only good tv stations are turner classic movies, bet, the music channels in the thousands, tv land, and a couple other stations

[Kell1295]

@storrs19 As opposed to just standing and kneeling (like my church). Don't get me wrong. Sometimes you have to have quiet to reflect and pray. But when I walk into the house of the Lord I need thumpin, throw down gospel. Blessed Be.

[77miracles]

These outfits look like the same ones worn on Mike Douglas TV show.

[PorSuGloria]

I love these shouting sistahs...I mean in pleather boots, high heels, on stage, on the flaw, wherever, they did that...I love the krumpin comment down the line, she was the orginator of the Krump...omg

[dcme]

my lord

[1KINGTALK]

WOW!

[eldergreg]

ok so i'm for certain that she is the 1st one to start Krumping...lol...love this...

[sugarfoot4079]

WAS THINKING THE SAME EXACT THING LOL (krumping) !! Love the video great music thanks for posting

[wootang22001]

Madylin Thompson is my second cousin in live in a small town in maryland :) thanks for all u said patti0731 but please i have know Mady all my life and she sings at my local church and her last name has change to Stateum Thanks :)

[patti0731]

No disrespect..She also performs at the House of Blues as well as churches all over Los Angles. And she also goes by Madylin Thompson. At the next family reunion sounds like you may need to update your family info. Have a great one.

[princeadore85]

MS. AGNUS, FIERCE!!!!

[Johnzoe777]

Awesome.This is church

[wcta0608]

How many of them are still living? Is Ms Thompson still doing the revue at House of Blues?

[BABADUCATO]

Living? I think four of the six of them here on Flip. Clara and Vi are gone.

[BABADUCATO]

OK.

[Rowoches]

Viola Crowley is NOT dead.

[Darneloh]

I just realized that the other day,when I asked she aim't dead!!!

[Darneloh]

I removed the comment I made,don't want to be giving information that's not correct!

[CogicTenor1]

SING AGNES!!!!

[17mark1717]

Don't you even worry about the quality. It is a blessing to just find some color footage of Clara. Thank you so much God Bless you and yours

[direfranchement]

Agnes Jackson is a DIVA! Why on Earth was she singing her solo that high? My guess is simply because she can. It's quite stunning, as is her range (she has a nice lower extension as well).

[patti0731]

I happen to know Madylin Thompson which is the one on the far left of your screen.And she still carries the Ward legecy and name with her.And performs at the House of Blues in Hollywood with the Ward Singers on Sundays for brunch. You must check them out.

[BABADUCATO]

Amen. Go and hear them girls sing Holy Holy Holy at Kwanzaa in Baldiwn Hills around Christmas. Chiiiiiiii!!!!!!!!!

[WoodeytheBigEyedOne]

That soprano they have singing has a lovely dramatic voice....anyone have any idea what her name is?

[pluto17dre]

i think her name is agnes....dont know her last name though

[WoodeytheBigEyedOne]

Ohh I know who she is now Agnes JAckson.....thank you!

[pluto17dre]

im glad i could help....you're welcome!!!

[Joshua12254]

@WoodeytheBigEyedOne Her Name Agnes Jackson

[CogicTenor1]

I LOVE EVERY MIN OF DIS!

[BABADUCATO]

"Ladies and gentelmen, Miss Clara Ward and the Ward Gospel Singers. Watch out!" - F. Wilson

[jaywoe2005]

This clip hear blew me away!! Lol

[Atldarknight]

Now that's how you play a tambourine! Didn't mother look like a member of Omega Psi Phi at 4:15... LOL

[DaSourcespr06]

lol..she betta hop!

[keyofg77]

Ur silly. She did look like a Q though. lol

[pluto17dre]

yes she did.....lawd she did

[elmomich]

@Atldarknight lol She DID look like a Q for a minute there!!! LOL

[capricorn23]

If you look closely :17 dont that lady look like Dionne Warwick a lil bit lol!

[DyvaNaye]

I remember when this first came on TV back in the diddy...:)

Flip Wilson was a trip. :)

[mike2004000444]

ya'll betta sing

[DyvaNaye]

Im gonna SLAP the organ player...

Hallelujah!

'Come on SPARROW!!!!!'

Jesus!!!

Dry BONES!!! ...at 4:15 I had to move the furniture again! Hallelujah!!!

[TriviaOne]

OOOOWW.....Mrs. Statham is wearin' and workin' that little stage out...LOLOLOL.

SPARROW.....now that was flawless!

Dyva.... no slappin' LOL.

Clara Ward and singers..AWESOME!!!

You can't help but to move something while watching this! In the name of Jesus!

[Rowoches]

Yes, indeed! Freddie Daniel could really make that organ talk!!!

[Poetic8]

The lady singing "Dry Bones" was the secretary at my elementary school. Real Talk. Her name is Mrs. Statham. And she still rocks out to that song just the same. Peace

-Flo

[Disciple3]

Is her 1st name Mavelyn or sumthin like that!

[Poetic8]

yup, thats her first name, i wasn't sure how to spell it

[Rowoches]

Yep...Malvilyn Statham is her name.

[jayws1019]

This was a brilliant performance--it's too bad this video is so flawed. It's from the Flip Wilson show. The flaws missed so many great physical moments of the permformances. God bless Clara Ward and her wonderful singers! She was gifted.

[bidonpenn]

Are any of them still alive?

[toniwhite12]

yes clara ward's sister but idk if she was in this

[Rowoches]

All of them on this video are still living.

Yes, Willa Ward (Clara's sister) is living, but she isn't on this video.

[Rowoches]

Well, all of them, except Clara, of course. I've had an opportunity to meet Malvilyn Statham ("Dry Bones") before. I've spoken to Alice Houston (the one on the right playing the tambourine when Malivlyn goes to sing) a few times, and they're both very nice women!

[tirayi]

Caint NOBODY trouble them Wards. Spirits alright aint it? See what God can do? Wig stayed on and everythin,

[cdj5111]

THATS SINGING AND DANCING RIGHT THERE

[toniwhite12]

ain't it but go to shirley caesar at monument of faith now that sum real shoutin and singing there GLORY!!!!

[cdj5111]

thats the kind of singing i m used too

they knew how to have church back then

[euneta]

Energy Glitz Glamour Glory to God Sang it girls!

[minjimmierodgers]

WAIT...SHE'S CRUNKIN' LOL... be blessed! ejkl

[melodyfromhvn]

I said the same thing. I was like wait a minute, she done started crunkin'. That was classic. Them youngsters think they started all of this OLD new stuff they doing, but these are the pioneers right here.

[Heupholdethme]

What's CRUNKIN'?

[minjimmierodgers]

A Form of "DANCE" SEARCH THE MOVIE RIZE... OR EVEN ON YOUTUBE FOR THE STYLE OF DANCE CALLED CRUNKIN. LOL!

[Heupholdethme]

Thanks Min. Rodgers for my dance lesson. I was never much of a dancer so a lot of these moves have gone over my head.

[yoggi744]

WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO­Ooo! I can't stop laughing!

Sing Ladies!

[live2sayit]

Now the younger adult choirs in our churches can learn. Many times we are motivated by the audience. This group is motivated by their purpose to sing the gospel. The audience is watching and only some clapping but the Ward singers are ministering with energy and enthusiasm. WOW A WONDERFUL TESTAMENT OF GOSPEL SINGING VERSUS PERFORMANCE!

[scribe63]

3:25 what the heck

[ElderPinkerton]

Gospel Music is joyful music and is suppose to be uplifting about the Good News about Jesus Christ. You couldn't be down and see these groups. The really bring freedom. I wish we had some more singers like this today.

[ElderPinkerton]

I love the glitz and glamour of The Clara Ward Singers. They were larger than life. They let our young ladies know they could be sparkley didn't have to be homely and be a gospel singer. (Unfortunately, they let some of our young men know that too! YIKES! LOL)

[Darneloh]

LOL @ your comment!!!

[Heupholdethme]

Ha, Ha, Ha, Haaaaaaaaa!!! LOL

[BABADUCATO]

You betta HURSH!!!! Bless their deceived hearts!

[mike2004000444]

wow the ladies are singing

[symplywords]

So that is where the Clark sisters get their rock from in Hallelujah. Tambourines are CRAZY!

[epoladee]

Dem Bones Dem Bones Dem Bones! She started krumpin!!!

[Anto18nio]

LOL!

[Taddypoe]

LOL!!

[ennisel]

@epoladee that's true.......see, nothing is new

[handelfan610]

are there people missing... it seems that earlier in ther ward singers career there were like 2 more singers... or am i just wrong?

[jussme4242]

off da hook!!

[jontroibumpus]

Absolutely Amazing! I Love to hear the way they use to sing.

[handelfan610]

this is AMAZING... i love how they bouncing when they saying joy joy joy... that tore me up... then i tore up the carpet... GIVE EM' GLORY!!!

[truthspeakerseeker]

The "Dem Bones" song is over the top! Who is the lady leading it?

[handelfan610]

dat tamborine playing is out of this world... they don't do it like that no mo!

[Anto18nio]

that lady know she can hit those high notes!!! Lord have mercy!!

[foxy10diva]

SING SISTERS SING!

[bidonpenn]

Clara's outfit is just like the one Patti LaBelle wore in the "Going Home to Gospel" special in the 1990's.

[BABADUCATO]

Shirley Caesar wore one like it , too, in a concert in the 90s. When I saw it I said, "Well, bring it on back, Shirley Ann." I agree with Aretha: Patti was influenced by Clara, too!

[trollymay]

i just can't get enuff..so freeing so fantastic...such a fan of ms ward and her sisters in the spirit...i buy everything i can by them....when the soprano lets loose i lift off....love that ...how's that?

[PentecostalBro07]

They betta go ahead and Dance. I would got up and start Shouting with them. They had Church all buy themselves!

[tavoris817]

got to love the hair

[StephanAOTTO]

Brilliant performance!

What I really love is the way they support each other, giving each other positive reinforcement, which is always great, as opposed to some of the other great legendary groups, w/ their sour faces, looking at each other w daggers when one does a solo.

Been there.....as the soloist, of course.^-^

[gospelmaestro]

Susta girl gave me greater madame. Sing chile!

[Darneloh]

That woman's voice in the middle cracks me up at 2:12-2:16 well dats awlright Agnes dats awllllllright!When their bones come together and began to shout boy they put in work especailly the two on the end.

[troymalcolmduker]

Come in the room!!!!! Joy, unspeakable Joy in the room! Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy!!!!

[greg12551]

Clara warid singers- Meeting tonight

[StephanAOTTO]

GET DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[blessedover]

i would like to see all of them make a cd

[KojiRecords]

The 2 Savoy Records 1950's albums "Meeting Tonight" (the opening song on this clip) and "Packing Up" have yet to be released in their original form. I found these albums in mint condition and have considered reissuing them with the original photos, both album covers taken during the same session. In addition, also have a mint copy of the Stars of Faith album, also on Savoy.

[raystar8]

Hi KojiRecords, Please do,i for one would certainly be interested!

[mytheropy]

Let me in on it too. Seen any for Donald Gay and The Famous Gay Sisters who recorded with Savoy, Dauphin and Siren records.

Do you know if anyone has footage of Mahalia Jackson's Whole Gospel show at Carneige Hall in New York?

[blessedover]

gohead this is wrere foot work came from i'd like to see the young compeat with this.

[Rowoches]

The Ward Singers that are still around can still dance like this too!! Yes, indeed...especially my friends Vermettya Royster and Alice Houston...Oh Yes!!!!

[windofthespirit]

i love the clara ward singer!!! what a blessing!!!

[cogic98387]

YES! I LOVE IT!

[Rowoches]

Yes, I had a better copy of this, which was aired during the 2004 Flip Wilson marathon, but I watched the video so much, it won't even play anymore. But I'm glad to know that this has finally been uploaded to the site. Thanks for sharing. I have some other stuff of the Ward Singers that I'd love to post, but I just don't have the equipment to do it yet.

[bruhjun]

Please Lord give him the equipment!!!

[Darneloh]

Is that Clara's sister Willa Ward singing His eye is on the sparrow?

[Rowoches]

No, that's not Clara's sister. Willa Ward was a soprano, but not that high. The lady singing is Agnes Jackson, who joined the group in the late 1960's.

[whatuwatchingjoe]

who were the members during this time?

[Rowoches]

The members are from left to right: Madeline Thompson (tambourine), Agnes Jackson ("His Eye Is on The Sparrow"), Clara Ward, Viola Crowley, Alice Houston, and Malvelyn Statham (tambourine and also sings "Dry Bones").

[Marshallmiracles]

Go Clara!!!!!!!

[AnointedPraiser]

Ohh, OK.. I hope to hear the song soon! God Bless

[AnointedPraiser]

Oh. Its Awesome!! Do you have the WHOLE show with the Ward Singers on it?

[Taddypoe]

I don't have the full show, but I do have one more song to put on.

[AnointedPraiser]

Where did you get this from?

[Taddypoe]

I have it on vhs. It came from the Flip Wilson show. I'm not sure of the year.

[BABADUCATO]

I have it on DVD. I also remember when it was aired in '72. (Ooopsie, Clara backed into the microphone stand.) Baby, when "them bones got together and began to shout," it raised me off the couch. See Gert with her white strip when Mavalyn goes out in the audience? Freddie Daniels is on the organ and John Edmond is on the piano.

[Rowoches]

This was recorded in November of 1971