One of the stellar family gospel singing groups is The Clark Sisters.

Here is a link to a classic 1980s video of The Clark Sisters which shows the humor that was mentioned in an earlier post as being an integral part of some gospel sermons [and the singer was indeed 'preaching' when she was introducing this song].

The Clark Sisters- "Is My Living In Vain"

posted on YouTube by Kinfolk68 ; February 22, 2008

-snip-

Here are several viewer comments about this video or about The Clark Sisters:

"Lawd have mercy...Dorinda was preachin' back then....I think I might use that material in a sermon...lol"
-preacherspreacher (1 month ago)

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"Thanks for posting this....The Clark Sisters are awesome! All 5 of them: Jackie, Denise, Twinkie, Dorinda, & Karen....Dr. Mattie Moss Clark was not only a wonderful mother, but a great directress....she trained them well".
-SLUJINMEE88 (8 months ago)

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"I remember them coming to England where im from in the 80's they were awesome with their mother who directed the COGIC mass choir over here. We don't get much gospel over here. You Americans are so lucky to have such great music on your doorstep".
-tyhutson08 (8 months ago)

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"You're right, tyhutson08. We do take the easy access to gospel music that we have in this coutry for granted. I live in Memphis, and I'm amazed when visitors to our city are shocked that we have more than one 24 hr all gospel radio station. I've learned to be gateful for that now.
-professorlip (8 months ago)

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[In response to other comments] "Huh...? I'm not being confrontational, but the Clark Sisters and their music have always been radical and ahead of time. Back in 80's this along with "You Brought the Sunshine" was considered "wordly". It's only considered classic and traditional now because it's nearly 30 years old. But in 1983 there was absolutely nothing "basic" about this song. The Clark Sisters, Hawkins Family, and the Crouches were basically ridiculed for being "wordly" before there was a Kirk Franklin or Tonex"
-professorlip (4 months ago)




This video also shows the jazz flavor of some gospel music.

And, since this discussion thread is supposed to be focused on church service, as an obligatory comment, I encourage you to notice the audience {congregation's} responses to the singers.