What's the greatest double act in history? Sonny & Cher? Peters & Lee? Chaka Demus & Pliers?
Surely it must be Religion and War, that inseparable dynamic duo who enjoyed their greatest hits during The Crusades, religious wars that began in the 11th century... and are still going on in one form or another today.
Calling your band The Crusaders therefore comes with quite a bit of baggage. Not that this stopped any of these guys...
THE CRUSADERS #1
Joe Sample, Wilton Felder and Nesbert "Stix" Hooper started playing together in 1954 as The Swingsters. In 1960, they moved from Texas to LA and became The Jazz Crusaders, though they dropped the J-word in the early 70s in order to reach a wider audience, which they did in 1979 with their crossover hit Street LIfe, featuring Randy Crawford on vocals. They stuck around in one form or another until 2010. Drummer Stix Hooper is the only surviving member of the original line-up.
I decided to go with the 11 minute version, 'specially for George...
THE CRUSADERS #2
Next up, an early 60s soul act from California. You'll be disappointed to learn, I'm sure, that this isn't a prototype for that famous Cher song.
THE CRUSADERS #3
Ohio surf band (Ohio is not on the coast, though it does border on Lake Eerie, so maybe they went surfing there) from 1964. The first band of Roger Troutman, who would go on to become a George Clinton protégé and a big name in the 80s funk scene, both solo and as part of the band Zapp. His work was often sampled by West Coast hip hop acts... probably not this track though.
THE CRUSADERS #4
Southern Californian God-Botherers (the first of many) from 1966. Also known as The Love Exchange. Which sounds a bit icky to me.
THE CRUSADERS #5
Another religious group from Illinois who released a number of albums in the 60s and 70s, and also collaborated with Lowell Mason, "The Singing Midget". And that is why I do this feature.
Garage rockers from Nebraska in 1967 with a song title that proved sadly prophetic for the rest of their career.
THE CRUSADERS #7
A lost gem of Philly soul from 1969...
THE CRUSADERS #8
From Church Hill, Tennessee in 1970 comes another religious group. I could only find a link to the full album, I'm afraid. Still...
"It is their hope that this recording will present many hours of listening pleasure, and that you will receive as great a blessing from listening as they receive from singing them."
There were probably about 150 other religious groups I could have included in this feature, but I'm not going to. Every US State had at least three, it seems. Just be satisfied in knowing that I listened to every one and chose the very best for your delectation.
THE CRUSADERS #9
A change of pace now with some Aussie punks from the 90s who liked to dress up as your actual Crusaders. What's not to love?
THE CRUSADERS #11
Spanish Oi! band from about 10 years ago...
CRUSADERS #12
And finally, some German Oi! from around the same time...
Twelve different Crusaders to choose from... but which will you worship? Choose well, or the soldiers will be round to speak to you.
yes, #1 was tedious, but #2 was a great song, I'm not sure the remaining Crusaders can beat that. #3 did not, although it was listenable. #4 are making a painful noise. More later
The Crusaders of #7 sound rather pathetic in their pleading. As for bluegras Crusaders of #8, I did like their cheerfulness, but I only listened to the first track. #9, 11 and 12 were enjoyable in their daftness. But it's #2 by a country kilometre for me. And I'd just like to mention how execrable the first song was.
I rather like #1 but agree that the 10 minute version overstays its welcome. I also quite like #7. But #10 still the best - and is that The Singing Midget on backing vocals?
It's got to be #1 with Randy Crawford's vocals for me.
Who knew there were so many Crusaders though and why is it we hear so much about bands having to change their name because it's already been bagsied by someone else. Harry Webb and the Drifters had to become Cliff Richard and the Shadows because of those other Drifters over in the New World. These Crusaders obviously didn't have such a problem.
I would like to vote for #10 because of the air of mystery surrounding it.
ReplyDeleteEnglish teacher here. Look to George for the counting stuff.
Deletethe shorter version of #1 is bad enough, but to inflict 10 mins 58 seconds on me is just unfair.
ReplyDeleteyes, #1 was tedious, but #2 was a great song, I'm not sure the remaining Crusaders can beat that. #3 did not, although it was listenable. #4 are making a painful noise. More later
ReplyDeleteridiculous as this may sound, I liked #5. The obscure garage rock tune of #6 is deservedly obscure. The abrupt ending is the best part of the song.
ReplyDeleteThe Crusaders of #7 sound rather pathetic in their pleading. As for bluegras Crusaders of #8, I did like their cheerfulness, but I only listened to the first track. #9, 11 and 12 were enjoyable in their daftness. But it's #2 by a country kilometre for me. And I'd just like to mention how execrable the first song was.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your service, as always.
DeleteI rather like #1 but agree that the 10 minute version overstays its welcome. I also quite like #7. But #10 still the best - and is that The Singing Midget on backing vocals?
ReplyDeleteIt's got to be #1 with Randy Crawford's vocals for me.
ReplyDeleteWho knew there were so many Crusaders though and why is it we hear so much about bands having to change their name because it's already been bagsied by someone else. Harry Webb and the Drifters had to become Cliff Richard and the Shadows because of those other Drifters over in the New World. These Crusaders obviously didn't have such a problem.