The Caravans

Founding

The Caravans began in Chicago in 1947 as Robert Anderson and his Gospel Caravan, a group Anderson created to back him vocally. The original lineup featured Ora Lee Hopkins, Elyse Yancey, Irma Gwynn, pianist Edward Robinson, and organist Louise Overall Weaver. From 1949 to 1951, their records appeared under several different names, including Robert Anderson and Choir, Anderson Singers with Robert Anderson, Anderson Singers, and Robert Anderson and his Gospel Caravan.

In 1952, Gwynn departed, the group’s name shifted slightly to Robert Anderson and The Caravans, and Nellie Grace Daniels and Albertina Walker came aboard. This version made its sole recording on April 18, 1952. During that session, events unfolded that caused Robert Anderson to separate from his singers. Walker, Hopkins, Yancey, Daniels, and Lelia M. Davidson from New Jersey finished the remaining tracks and took the name The Caravans, dropping Anderson’s name entirely.

Walker initially served as the featured vocalist on the group’s albums. That arrangement changed as new members joined; the ensemble kept its tight harmonies and crisp rhythms but began rotating solo leads among the singers. At their peak in the late 1950s, the group featured Shirley Caesar’s alto on songs like “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” Inez Andrews’s contralto on “Mary Don’t You Weep,” Delores Washington’s soprano, and Eddie Williams’s energetic piano work.

Bessie Griffin joined in 1953 but left after one year. Cassietta George also joined in 1953, stayed two years, returned in 1960 for another year, then came back in 1962 for four more years. Dorothy Norwood joined in 1955 and left in 1957 to form the Norwood Singers. Inez Andrews joined in 1957 on the recommendation of pianist and arranger James Cleveland, left in 1962 to start the Andrewettes, returned in 1966, and left again to go solo in 1967. Shirley Caesar joined in 1958 and left for a solo career in 1966.

Later years

Albertina Walker recorded a reunion album with The Caravans titled "Paved The Way", released by Malaco Records on September 5, 2006. This was the group's first new recording since 1976. The album featured Walker, Norwood, Andrews, Washington, and special guest Evelyn Turrentine-Agee. Billboard Magazine called it one of the most memorable releases of 2006, and it entered the Billboard charts in the top ten, remaining in the top forty for sixteen weeks. "Paved the Way" was nominated for a Grammy, Dove, and Soul Train Music Award. Albertina Walker died from respiratory failure on October 8, 2010.