Mighty Clouds Of Joy
Contemporary gospel's preeminent group, the Mighty Clouds of Joy carried the torch for the traditional quartet vocal style throughout an era dominated by solo acts and choirs; pioneering a distinctively funky sound that over time gained grudging acceptance even among purists, they pushed spiritual music in new and unexpected directions, even scoring a major disco hit. The Mighty Clouds of Joy were formed in Los Angeles during the '50s by schoolmates Joe Ligon and Johnny Martin; while still in their teens, the original group -- which also included Leon Polk, Richard Wallace, and brothers Ermant and Elmo Franklin -- made their recorded debut in 1960 with "Steal Away to Jesus," cut for the Peacock label. Their debut LP, Family Circle, arrived a year later. In the years that followed, the Mighty Clouds joined the ranks of gospel's greatest showmen; one of the first groups to incorporate choreographed moves into their act, their nimble footwork and bright, color-coordinated outfits earned them the sobriquet "The Temptations of Gospel."
More importantly, they were the first group to add bass, drums, and keyboards to the standard quartet accompaniment of solo guitar, resulting in a sound that horrified traditionalists but appealed to younger listeners -- so much so, in fact, that the Mighty Clouds became the first gospel act ever to appear on television's Soul Train, where they performed their disco smash "Mighty High." Their crossover success continued with opening slots for secular pop stars including Marvin Gaye, the Rolling Stones, and Paul Simon, whom the group backed during a monthlong stint at Madison Square Garden. While lineup changes plagued the Mighty Clouds throughout their career, they remained active into the new millennium; in addition to co-founders Ligon and Wallace, their latter-day incarnation also included Paul Beasley, Michael McCowin, Wilbert Williams, Johnny Valentine, and Ron Staples. As the years advanced, Ligon took a more supportive singing role, with lead vocals performed by ex-Gospel Keynotes vocalist Beasley. Ligon died in December 2016 at the age of 80.
© Jason Ankeny /TiVo
Discography
20 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
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Live in Charleston
Gospel - Released by Intersound on 19 nov. 1996
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Changing Times
Gospel - Released by Epic - Legacy on 1 jan. 1979
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
At The Revival
Gospel - Released by EMI Gospel (EGS) on 1 jan. 2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Best Of The Mighty Clouds Of Joy
Gospel - Released by Motown Gospel (EGS) on 1 jan. 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Gospel Classics
Pop - Released by Classic Music International on 30 nov. 2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
In The House Of The Lord - Live In Houston (Live)
Gospel - Released by EMI Gospel (EGS) on 21 feb. 2005
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Greatest Hits
Gospel - Released by Intersound on 23 aug. 2005
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Gospel Legacy- Mighty Clouds Of Joy
Humour/Spoken Word - Released by LIGHT RECORDS on 19 feb. 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Movin (Live)
Gospel - Released by Motown Gospel (EGS) on 1 jan. 2007
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
20th Century Masters - The Millenium Collection: The Best Of The Mighty Clouds Of Joy (Vol. 2)
Gospel - Released by Motown Gospel (EGS) on 6 mei 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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I Want to Thank You
Gospel - Released by Intersound on 22 okt. 2002
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Platinum Praise - Mighty Clouds Of Joy
Humour/Spoken Word - Released by LIGHT RECORDS on 5 feb. 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Take Me To The Water
Gospel - Released by Sonorous Records Inc. on 5 aug. 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
All That I Am: Chapter 1
Joe Ligon, Mighty Clouds Of Joy
Gospel - Released by MCG Records, Inc. on 30 apr. 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Down Memory Lane: Chapter 2
Humour/Spoken Word - Released by MCG Records, Inc. on 4 nov. 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Platinum Praise Collection: Mighty Clouds of Joy
Gospel - Released by Intersound on 5 feb. 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Superset - 2 CD Set
Gospel - Released by Intersound on 24 feb. 2004
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo