MusicScribe BLOG

RATING: 3 1/2 Stars

Producer: Aaron Brown
Label: Canaan Records (Catalog number 9778)
Release Date: 1975

Song Titles: “Just A Little Talk With Jesus,” “My Soul Has Been Set Free,” “Sweet Heaven,” “Let Your Heart Do The Walkin’,” “When God Dips His Love In My Heart,” “Prescription For Salvation,” “Keep Watching And Praying,” “Have A Little Talk With Jesus,” “When He Blest My Soul,” and “We’ll Soon Be Done With Troubles And Trials”

I ordered Just A Little Talk With Jesus from an eBay seller a couple of weeks ago (still sealed, no less). Rev. Cleavant Derricks wrote the title song in the 1930s, but had not recorded it prior to the release of this LP in 1975 on the Canaan Records label. Just A Little Talk With Jesus includes ten of his original songs. The instrumentation is pretty much piano, organ, bass guitar and drums. Some of the players are recognizable names like Eddie Crook, Duke Dumas, and Dony McGuire.

I was particularly interested in hearing some of Derricks’ less familiar songs. “My Soul Has Been Set Free” is a great lyric for leaning back and letting ‘er rip on the choruses. Derricks’ family tries valiantly. “Sweet Heaven” is a more sedate 9/8 arrangement. I enjoyed “Let Your Heart Do The Walkin’ ” more than any of the other lyrics that were unfamiliar to me. A group like the Freemans sure could tear this up. I really liked “Prescription For Salvation,” too. I can remember having this in a songbook years ago when I was taking piano lessons, but I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone sing it. “Keep Watching And Praying” is an upbeat track that features an organ solo after the first verse and chorus. Good stuff. “Have A Little Talk With Jesus” is an interesting example of a songwriter revisiting the theme that brought him fame.

This recording is somewhat sloppy in terms of vocal harmony and musical precision. The redeeming qualities are the enthusiasm of the singers and of course the songs. “Just A Little Talk With Jesus,” “When God Dips His Love In My Heart,” “When He Blest My Soul,” and “We’ll Soon Be Done With Trouble And Trial” are all enduring classics that have been sung by too many Southern Gospel groups to mention. The other six titles prove the popular of those songs was no fluke.

Derricks may not have made a great recording, but he sure wrote some terrific songs.

I have another LP by Derricks ordered called Satisfaction Guaranteed, but I don’t think it’s going to show up. It’s been three weeks, and the seller has ignored the email I sent earlier this week. Hopefully, I’ll find a copy at some point down the road. It would be interesting to compare his second effort in the studio to see if any improvements were made in the vocal harmony and musicianship.

Here’s a clip of “Have A Little Talk With Jesus.”

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