- Paved the Way
- All the Way
- Show Some Sign
- Mary Don't You Weep
- God Fixed It
- Holy Ghost
- Be Done
- No Coward Soldier
- Living in a World (Where There Is No Sin)
- Jesus Is the Best Thing
- God Will Supply
- Remember Me
- Christ Is Coming Back
Any gospel artist who dares title their album Paved the Way to refer to self rather than God has some serious 'splainin' to do. But The Caravans can probably pull it off. The legendary vocal group isn't just a true pioneer in the realm of all-female gospel ensembles, but it also became a launching pad for scores of would-be gospel stars, including Shirley Caesar, Albertina Walker, and even pianist James Cleveland, among many others. The Caravans paved the way indeed.
After a decades-long hiatus from recording-they've had a few reunion concerts here and there, including one at the 2006 Stellar Awards-the old-time quartet is back on the shelves with the Grammy-nominated Paved the Way. But don't think of the album as the smash comeback of the year. While it's true that Paved the Way is the quartet reunion of the moment, it's as purist a traditional gospel recording can be—no glitz, no glamour, no flashiness, no showstoppers … just The Caravans in a concert setting. No more, no less.
That's a slight disappointment, because The Caravans do deserve the big party, the red-carpet affair, the star-studded black-tie event—you know, like the pageants Verity usually throws for its big-name artists. It's only fitting: "We've paaaaaaved the way," says member Dorothy Norwood in the title track. But instead, the event was recorded modestly at Walker's home church, at a closed session, with just the right amount of musicians and only a few people in attendance.
Despite the demureness of it all, The Caravans take charge of the proceedings with poise, blazing through a baker's dozen of new tracks ("God Fixed It," "Jesus Is the Best Thing") and classics ("Mary Don't You Weep," "No Coward Soldier") as if it were 1958. The singers sound weathered and worn, but Walker's smoky alto still captivates, Norwood couldn't get any churchier, Inez Andrews is still a wailer, and Delores Washington remains as classy as ever. It's obvious The Caravans haven't gone anywhere.