Elder Beck

Elder Charles Beck (ca. 1900–1972) was an American gospel musician and evangelist. A seminal figure in the formative years of modern African-American gospel music, he is responsible for an extensive recording discography, which included over 60 songs over the span of two decades. Beck's abilities as a pianist and trumpet player are praised as one of the best from the gospel genre. His work, both as an instrumentalist and live performer, however, was predominantly overshadowed by the career of Thomas A. Dorsey. Over time, nearly all of Beck's recordings have become more accessible through compilation albums.

Birth and Death Data: Born 1900, Died 1972

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1930 - 1954

Roles Represented in DAHR: vocalist, piano, trumpet, author

Notes: Also listed as Elder Charles Beck, Elder Charlie Beck, and Charles Beck.

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 1-25 of 30 records)

Company	Matrix No.	Size	First Recording Date	Title	Primary Performer	Description	Role
Victor	BS-038100	10-in.	7/19/1939	Changes	Elder Charles Beck and Congregation	Male vocal solo, with piano, female vocal ensemble, and male vocal effects	vocalist
Victor	BS-038101	10-in.	7/19/1939	Talk on talkers	Elder Charles Beck and Congregation	Male vocal solo, with piano and female vocal ensemble	vocalist
Victor	BS-038102	10-in.	7/19/1939	It is Thy servant's prayers	Elder Charles Beck and Congregation	Male vocal solo, with piano and female vocal ensemble	vocalist
Victor	BS-038295	10-in.	7/19/1939	Gabriel	Elder Charles Beck and Congregation	Male vocal solo, with trumpet, piano, and female vocal ensemble	instrumentalist, trumpet, vocalist
Victor	BS-038296	10-in.	7/19/1939	I've got heaven on my mind	Elder Charles Beck and Congregation	Male vocal solo, with piano and female vocal ensemble	vocalist
Victor	BS-038297	10-in.	7/19/1939	Dry bones	Elder Charles Beck and Congregation	Male vocal solo, with trumpet, piano, and female vocal ensemble	instrumentalist, trumpet, vocalist
Victor	BS-038298	10-in.	7/19/1939	You can't hurry God	Elder Charles Beck and Congregation	Male vocal solo, with piano and female vocal ensemble	vocalist
Victor	BS-038299	10-in.	7/19/1939	I'm goin' to walk right in and make myself at home	Elder Charles Beck and Congregation	Male vocal solo, with piano and female vocal ensemble	vocalist
OKeh	W404748	10-in.	12/16/1930	Memphis flu	Elder Curry and Congregation	Female vocal solo and mixed vocal ensemble, with guitar and piano	instrumentalist, piano
OKeh	W404749	10-in.	12/16/1930	The good Lord has set me free	Elder Curry and Congregation	Sermon and mixed vocal ensemble, with guitar, piano, and talk	instrumentalist, piano
OKeh	W404750	10-in.	12/16/1930	Hard times	Elder Curry and Congregation	Sermon and mixed vocal ensemble, with guitar, piano, and responses	instrumentalist, piano
OKeh	W404751	10-in.	12/16/1930	The gospel ship	Elder Curry and Congregation	Sermon and mixed vocal ensemble, with guitar, and piano	instrumentalist, piano
OKeh	W404752	10-in.	12/16/1930	John saw a number	Elder Curry and Congregation	Sermon and mixed vocal ensemble, with guitar, and piano	instrumentalist, piano
OKeh	W404753	10-in.	12/16/1930	One day	Elder Curry and Congregation	Sermon and mixed vocal ensemble, with guitar, and piano	instrumentalist, piano
OKeh	W404774	10-in.	12/18/1930	The crucifixion	Elder Charles Beck	Piano solo	instrumentalist, piano
OKeh	W404775	10-in.	12/18/1930	When the world's on fire	Elder Charles Beck	Piano solo	instrumentalist, piano
OKeh	W404789	10-in.	12/19/1930	I am saved	Elder Beck	Male vocal solo, with piano	vocalist, instrumentalist, piano
OKeh	W404790	10-in.	12/19/1930	Drinking shine	Elder Beck	Male vocal solo, with piano	vocalist, instrumentalist, piano
Chess	U7622	10-in.	12/31/1954	When	Elder Beck		vocalist
Chess	U7623	10-in.	12/31/1954	I'm walking with Jesus at my side	Elder Beck		vocalist
Chess	U-4346	10-in.	March 1953	Wine Head Willie put that bottle down	Elder Beck		vocalist, author
Chess	U-4347	10-in.	March 1953	I'm gonna tell God	Elder Beck		vocalist, author
Decca	62182	10-in.	5/8/1937	If I have to run	Elder Beck		instrumentalist, piano, vocalist
Decca	62183	10-in.	5/8/1937	Precious Lord	Elder Beck		vocalist, instrumentalist, piano
Decca	62274	10-in.	6/16/1937	Love, oh love divine	Elder Beck		vocalist, instrumentalist, piano

(Results 1-25 of 30 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Beck, Elder," accessed November 7, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/106824.

Beck, Elder. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 7, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/106824.

"Beck, Elder." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 7 November 2024.