The Swan Silvertones are one of the greatest Gospel groups of all time. They had been around since the late 1930s but really came into their own during the 1950s, adding complex jazz harmonies and guest musicians to their proto-R&B sound. Sam Cooke was strongly influenced by the Swan Silvertones, and Paul Simon's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" was inspired by them. Beautiful, foot-stomping, soul-liberating music that makes you feel closer to heaven.