This Southern gospel artist created recordings in the late '20s that have become favorites of the primitive gospel cult, but Luther Magby is hardly a relic with as little life as the dust settling between grooves of vinyl. In 2002, he was still maintaining a busy performing schedule, including gospel shows at a variety of state fairs. Not bad for a guy who cut an astonishing version of "Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit" for the OKeh label in 1927. This and one other track featuring Magby are part of the Document set entitled Storefront & Streetcorner Gospel: 1927 -- 1929, an important contribution to the documentation not only of the black American gospel scene, but of the use of music as part of religious services in general. He is also featured on the Revenant American Primitive, Vol. 1 set, which is where quite a few decadent listeners have discovered his vocal charms, being otherwise unwilling to sit still for gospel services. Nobody save the original '20s OKeh talent scouts have seen fit to record this artist, apparently. ~ Eugene Chadbourne