"Shadrach"- Clara Ward Singers

From the album RECORDED LIVE AT DISNEYLAND, 1963.

Group members: Viola Crowley (lead), Mildred Means, Malvilyn Statham, Geraldine Jones, and Vermettya Royster.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Clara
• Ward
• Singers
• Shadrach
• Live
• At
• Disneyland
• Black
• Gospel
• religious
• soul

[DaveWVideo]

My dad was the sound mixer for the ladies when they played at Disneyland at the Golden Horshoe in the early '60s, and I worked in that area in the late '60s. They would play there every summer. I used to sneak backstage and "hang out" with them between shows. I never saw Clara, but I met Viola and Mother Gertrude, who was a sweet, charming lady. Their shows and singing were spectacular, and it was a real privilege to see them perform live so many times.

[Rowoches]

@DaveWVideo: WOW!!! What a treat! I wish I was born during their hey-day!

[blessedover]

So I just broght this record and I wanna know where is clara at on this one?

I'm thinking she is under a contract with another record deal which would mean she could not record with another. so this being an Albertina Walker move to stick the girls on the leads and play the Roberta Martin for the night made it work out fine and in the end everyone is happy lol.

Mr Ward tell me I'm right?

[Rowoches]

That's how it was for their 1959 concert at the Apollo Theatre. However, I'm not sure if Clara is present at this particular concert. It doesn't sound like her playing.

I do know that during the Wards' Disney days, Clara and Gertrude took turns there. Madame Ward and some singers would be there for a period of time, while Clara was touring with another set of girls. And vice-versa. I'm not completely sure, but this may be the case for this concert.

[drchrishamilton]

Lol. I remember watching the girls play the coronet, flute and harp in sweeping gestures in the 60's on this song. Then they went "way down in the firery furnace" and showed how hot "7 times hotter hotter than it otta' be" was... lol. I miss the good old Ward days at Disneyland.

[onlygoodthings]

amen!

[saintben2008]

Every second of this song is PERFECT.

[Rowoches]

@clarissaeverett1: I didn't plan on loading anything else from this album, however, someone else loaded "Dry Bones." The quality isn't as good, and it's a little faster than it should be. Also, if you type in 'Tribute to Vermettya Royster,' you'll be able to access that particular version of "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands." I hope that this helped.

[clarissaeverett1]

@drchrishamilton  Me too. Their gestures were the BEST.

[clarissaeverett1]

@Rowoches I have lost my album of CW Live at Disneyland. Any chance you'll be posting more songs from that album? He's Got the Whole World in His Hands or Bones etc.  Thanks.

[clarissaeverett1]

@DaveWVideo OMG I was at two or three performances every Saturday night at the Golden Horshoe in the 60's. We would stand in line to get in (well worth it). If we were dancing at the SpaceBar with Kay Bell we would run across the park to make the performances. There were at least 6-10 of us regulars...we'd dance in the aisles and 'travel' the HorseShoe with Clara Ward. Do you remember Ms. Royster? What a hoot this is!!