The Caravans Back Together Again After 40 Years

The Legendary Caravans Gospel Singing Group Reunites For First Live Recording in 40 Years

Instant Classic "Paved The Way" to be Released September 5

Los Angeles - For more than half a century, The Caravans have been an unwavering source of traditional gospel music. Unfortunately, the ladies hadn't recorded any new songs as a group in 40 years. And now the long wait is over, the founder of The Caravans, Ms. Albertina Walker, "The Queen of Gospel Music" has been reunited with her royal court of gospel superstars from The Caravans; Dorothy Norwood, “The World's Greatest Gospel Storyteller," Deloris Washington, “The Sweet Songbird” of gospel music, and Inez Andrews “The High Priestess” of gospel music on the forthcoming Malaco Music Group CD, “Paved The Way.” This classic new release from this all-star edition of The Caravans includes 6 new songs and 7 gospel standards, including The Caravan's legendary hit: “Mary Don't You Weep.”

Since their founding in 1952, The Caravans have gone on to produce more stars than any other singing group in the history of gospel music. Legendary talents such as: Inez Andrews, Shirley Caesar, Cassietta George, Evangelist Dorothy Norwood, James Herndon, Josephine Howard, Delores Washington and the “King of Gospel” the late Reverend James Cleveland, have all been members of The Caravans.

“All I have ever wanted to do was sing gospel music and live in Chicago,” says Albertina Walker. “We paved the way. I'm not bragging or anything, but the Lord used us. He used us to lay the foundation for the future. Money wasn't the thing. We did it because we loved the Lord. That is what I was taught and that is what I still believe. We were young. We were saved. And any way that He wanted to use us, we were willing to do it and that is the way it was and still is,” she says.

The Caravans were reunited through the efforts of Evangelist Dorothy Norwood, who approached Albertina Walker with the idea of recording a new CD of The Caravans. She also had some ideas about who should play on the session.

“I learned early on that the musicians are the life of your session. You have to get the right musicians and the right songs. We didn't come back to do all old songs. Because that's old soup warmed over. We did do some classics, but we also have six news songs on the CD including "He Fixed It" (written by Milton Biggham) featuring Albertina leading and Deloris Washington taking the mic on '(Lord, Let Your Will ) Be Done,'” says Dorothy Norwood.

The Caravans have had their music recorded and emulated by the likes of Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Al Green, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, The Hawkins Family and The Clark Sisters.

And now, the “girls” of The Caravans will be singing their own songs and six new ones on their new release “Paved The Way” (Malaco Music Group), which are the first new songs from The Caravans in 40 years. The CD will be released Tuesday, September 5.