The Dixie Hummingbirds have been spreading the word of the gospel through music for 75 years. Diamond Jubilation is a celebration of those 75 years of making music.

The first incarnation of the Hummingbirds got its start in 1928 when four members of the Church of God Holiness choir in Greenville, S.C., banded together as the Junior Boys and, later, the Sterling High School Quartet. They made their first recording in 1939. The band has recorded many albums -- and gone through numerous changes in personnel -- in the years since then.

Diamond Jubilation is not your typical gospel album of stuffy hymns sung in church. This CD can be considered gospel in subject matter only.

The album opens with a rip-roaring zydeco tune, "God's Radar." From there, the Dixie Hummingbirds play a variety of tunes in country, blues, folk and do-wop styles. They also perform "City of Gold," which was written by Bob Dylan, and "I Bid You Goodnight," which is known for being the closing song for the Greatful Dead at their concerts.

The band is joined on this anniversary CD by members of the Band and Dr. John.

Diamond Jubilation is the culmination of music that has gone through the Great Depression, 13 presidents, four major wars, five generation of Americans and seven decades of the 20th century. Now working into the 21st century, this popular gospel group is still going strong.

- Rambles
written by Sherrill Fulghum
published 29 May 2004

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