Clara Ward - In The Right Direction

Clara Ward (April 21, 1924 - January 16, 1973)[1] was a gospel artist who achieved great success, both artistic and commercial, in the 1940s and 1950s as leader of The Famous Ward Singers. A gifted singer and arranger, Ward took the lead-switching style used by male gospel quartets to new heights, leaving room for spontaneous improvisation and vamping by each member of the group while giving virtuouso singers such as Marion Williams the opportunity to step forward in songs such as "Surely, God Is Able" (the first million-selling gospel hit), "How I Got Over" (which Clara wrote, one of the most famous songs in the Black gospel repertoire), and "Packin' Up".

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Northern
• Doul
• Clara
• Ward

[57dogsbody]

wasn`t clara ward aretha franklin`s father`s mistress?

[child1959]

Has anybody got a copy of 'Smile, by Clara Ward on Verve. Fantastic version of an old clasic and I've not heard it since my Wigan Casino days, back in the day.

[drwhatson]

I vividly remember hearing this spun by Richard Searling at Va-Va in Bolton. (I also seem to recall he was playing it off the UK Verve album...). It's still one of my all-time faves to this day. Very uplifting song - and a groovy dancer too!

[nostalgiahistoria67]

Awesome song from a great singer! This should have been a big hit.

[wufwufwufwuf]

TOOooOON

[deamster10]

Great record with great memories attached. KTF

[Rowoches]

This was the very first "non-Gospel song" that I heard Clara sing....that was about 10 years ago. Thanks for posting!

[leedssoul]

I've heard a few versions of this track, this must have been the original.

[djdeitch]

This record is pure class!!!!they dont get better than this..top drawer,.ktf.