Search - Various Artists :: Jubilation 1: Black Gospel

This Is Music To Feed the Soul

Steve Vrana | Aurora, NE | 01/24/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This hour-long CD kicks off with the queen of gospel Mahalia Jackson, and over the course of 18 tracks gives you a crash course in black gospel music. Most of these tracks were recorded in the 40s and 50s. The earliest recording is the Golden Gate Jubilee Quartet's acapella "Golden Gate Gospel Train" from 1937. There are two Seventies recordings. Shirley Caesar's 1975 remake of the country hit "No Charge" is a touching song but hardly seems essential to a history of black gospel. Aretha Franklin and James Cleveland's 1972 performance of "Precious Memories," however, is an emotionally charged reading, and clocking in at over seven minutes is by far the longest track on the collection. "Oh Happy Day" by the Edwin Hawkins Singers proved that there was still a place in popular music for gospel even in 1969--it went to No. 4 and sold over a million copies.But the real gems are the songs by early gospel artists like The Swan Silvertones, the Dixie Hummingbirds and The Pilgrim Travelers. Instrumentation is generally sparse, as it should be, to keep the emphasis on the vocals. Sound quality at times is marginal. "The Old Ship of Zion" and "Sit Down, Servant," for example, sound like they were mastered from scratchy 78's. But this is powerful music. It's difficult to imagine anyone listening to "Jesus Met the Woman at the Well" or "Do Lord Send Me" and not being spiritually moved. Black gospel music has a deep and rich history and this collection is in no way intended to be definitive, but it's a wonderful introduction. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"

Praise Be!

marrano | 06/23/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have owned and loved this CD for years. I can recommend nothing better for a newcomer to Gospel, particularly those listeners (like me) with a slight allergy to the contemporary Gospel sound. This compilation, which begins with the stunning "Move On Up A Little Higher" from Mahalia Jackson, through the Top 40 hit "Oh Happy Day", passes by nearly all the great singers and innovations in Gospel's first commercial era. The selections are well chosen and generous -- we hear, for example, nearly 10 minutes of Aretha Franklin at her best in "Precious Memories," recorded with James Cleveland and the Southern California Community Choir in 1972. ("Precious Memories" is the best track off the 2 CD set "Amazing Grace", which for even moderate Aretha fans is worthwhile in its own right.) This CD lays out in a straightforward way the context for the Gospel we hear now -- it also illuminates Gospel's blues and spiritual roots, and could be used to instruct a music class if it weren't so immediately and unmitigatedly appealing. I've listened to it 100 times with pleasure. "Jubilation" is a reason to celebrate!"

Hallelujah! and Amen.

Larry Picard | Brooklyn, NY USA | 01/16/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you are like I was: a newcomer to the Gospel scene and considering purchasing this CD, think no further. Do it! This is a perfect introduction to the Golden Age of Gospel. Ms. Jackson's "Move on Up a Little Higher" has everything you want to hear and more. Power, spirit and the love which speaks louder than words even more gracefully than music. The Famous Blue Jay's "Jesus Met the Woman at the Well" is certainly much more than I learned at camp. "Golden Gate Gospel Train" contains lip-curling harmonies and spirit. Even the Hawkins' Singers' "Oh Happy Day" takes on new meaning after listening to the entire, moving collection of some of the best Gospel recorded."