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 Audio
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 1, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/106824.

Beck, Elder. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 1, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/106824.

"Beck, Elder." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 1 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/106824

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