The Inspirational Choir of the Pentecostal First Born Church of the Living God
The Inspirational Choir of the Pentecostal First Born Church of the Living God | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | The Inspirational Choir |
| Origin | London, England |
| Genres | Gospel music |
| Labels | Stiff Records Portrait Records Opal Records |
The Inspirational Choir of the Pentecostal First Born Church of the Living God, later the name was shortened to The Inspirational Choir, were a gospel choir based in London, England. The choir was founded by John Francis, who also co-founded the London Community Gospel Choir. Their recording career began as backing vocalists for Madness on their single "Wings Of A Dove", which reached No. 2 in the UK Singles Chart. They later produced their own single, which reached No. 36 in the UK Singles Chart and a studio album, which reached No. 59 in the UK Album Chart.
History[edit]
The choir was founded in the early 1980s by John Francis, who also the co-founded of the London Community Gospel Choir. Francis was brought up in the church and his father was the pastor of a church in Islington, London.[1]
The Inspirational Choir of the Pentecostal First Born Church of the Living God first appeared on a Channel 4 television gospel talent show called Black On Black.[1] They came second but that led onto Madness wanting the choir to sing backing vocals on a demo of "Wings Of A Dove". Francis agreed with the lyrics and also to sing on the demo, and then went onto record the song which climbed to number two in the UK Singles Chart,[1] and number 1 in the Irish Singles Chart.
Stiff Records subsequently signed the choir up and they recorded Clean Heart, a five-track EP of traditional gospel, which also included the single "Pick Me Up". It was produced by Madness' producers, Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley.[1] In 1985 the choir was signed by Portrait Records, a sister label of CBS Records,[1] and they persuaded the choir to shorten the choir's name to The Inspirational Choir. They released two singles, "Abide with Me", which reached number 36 in the UK Singles Chart[2] and "I've Got A Feeling", which came from their debut album, Sweet Inspiration. The album reached number 59 in the UK Album Chart.[2]
The choir's live appearances included performing at the London Palladium, the Festival Hall, the Bristol Concert Hall, and at the Glastonbury Festival.[3] Francis also presented Britain's first gospel TV show People Get Ready! for UK based artists. In 1989 the choir recorded a live album, A Charge To Keep, although it wasn't until nearly two years later that it was released. By the early 1990s Francis had moved on and founded the Ruach Ministries.[3]
Discography[edit]
Albums[edit]
Studio albums[edit]
- Sweet Inspiration. (Portrait, 1985) Reached No.59 in the UK Albums Chart[2]
- Higher & Higher (CBS, 1986)
Live albums[edit]
- A Charge To Keep (Opal Records, June 1991)
EPs[edit]
- Clean Heart (Stiff, 1983)
Singles[edit]
- "Pick Me Up" b/w "Do Not Pass Me By" (Stiff, Nov 1983)[4]
- "Abide with Me" b/w "Sweet Holy Spirit" (Portrait, Dec 1984) Reached No. 36 in the UK Singles Chart[2][5]
- "I've Got a Feeling" b/w "Right There" (Portrait, Sept 1985)[5]
- "One Love (People Get Ready)" b/w "Right There" (Portrait, Feb 1986)[5]
- "(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher" b/w "Amazing Grace" (Portrait, Nov 1986)[5]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e "Bishop John Francis: From the Inspirational Choir to Ruach Ministries Choir". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
- ^ a b c d "Inspirational Choir". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
- ^ a b "The Inspirational Choir: Britain's much loved gospel ensemble clock up 10 years". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
- ^ "The Inspirational Choir Of The Pentecostal First Born Church Of The Living God - Discography". 45cat. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
- ^ a b c d "The Inspirational Choir - Discography". 45cat. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
