One of my all-time favorite gospel groups, I happened across a couple of their LPs when moonlighting at my only paying radio gig in the early 80s. Their soaring harmonies and energy give me a shot in the arm. I don’t think I ever got to see SAY AMEN, SOMEBODY, the documentary film about gospel pioneers Thomas A. Dorsey and Mother Willie Mae Ford Smith. Now that it has been restored and reissued, it’s time to hop into the Wayback Machine.
‘Say Amen, Somebody’ Restoration Unveils The Wonder Of The Gospel Pioneers, February 25, 2020 https://www.npr.org/2020/02/25/809049852/say-amen-somebody-restoration-unveils-the-wonder-of-the-gospel-pioneers
With the Barrett Sisters, released in 1982. NPR supplies links to an episode of their series WADE IN THE WATER that focuses on Mr. Dorsey and an hour of his compositions performed by a stunning array of artists, as well as a link to a Spotify playlist that is also loaded with a dandy assortment of gospel music. Check them out. 😉
You’re most welcome, @tsutsuloo. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. 😉
This is what’s known as “making a joyful noise.” There’s something about the “blue notes” in jazz and blues that makes me feel good all over. Even more so when coupled with uplifting reminders that the Creator is still on duty, especially at times like the present.
Blues pianist Thomas A. Dorsey continued to write music in that idiom when he left profane music behind after the death of his wife and infant, and focused on sanctified music. For me, the attraction of blues and Mr. Dorsey’s brand of gospel is the emotion they convey — a far cry indeed from the staid (and sometimes depressive) Latin hymns of my early childhood. I especially love the classic gospel piano of Mr. Charles Pikes, who accompanies the Barrett Sisters on “Walk And Talk With Jesus,” as well as that of Mildred Falls, who was Mahalia Jackson’s accompanist for 20 years. https://blues.org/blues_hof_inductee/georgia-tom-dorsey/
PakalanaPikake
March 31, 2020 at 7:51 AM
MARCH MUSIC: RIP, Billie Barrett GreenBey, 2/28/20
The Barrett Sisters: “Walk And Talk With Jesus”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvCVbFdcVP4
L-R: Rhodessa, Delois, Billie, on Swiss public TV (MORE)
PakalanaPikake
March 31, 2020 at 7:56 AM
(MORE)
One of my all-time favorite gospel groups, I happened across a couple of their LPs when moonlighting at my only paying radio gig in the early 80s. Their soaring harmonies and energy give me a shot in the arm. I don’t think I ever got to see SAY AMEN, SOMEBODY, the documentary film about gospel pioneers Thomas A. Dorsey and Mother Willie Mae Ford Smith. Now that it has been restored and reissued, it’s time to hop into the Wayback Machine.
Billie Barrett GreenBey obit:
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/3/1/21160036/billie-barrett-greenbey-barrett-sisters-gospel-music-obituary
Unni Delois Barrett Campbell’s obit:
https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/05/arts/music/delois-barrett-campbell-gospel-singer-dies-at-85.html
‘Say Amen, Somebody’ Restoration Unveils The Wonder Of The Gospel Pioneers, February 25, 2020
https://www.npr.org/2020/02/25/809049852/say-amen-somebody-restoration-unveils-the-wonder-of-the-gospel-pioneers
With the Barrett Sisters, released in 1982. NPR supplies links to an episode of their series WADE IN THE WATER that focuses on Mr. Dorsey and an hour of his compositions performed by a stunning array of artists, as well as a link to a Spotify playlist that is also loaded with a dandy assortment of gospel music. Check them out. 😉
Early Barrett Sisters clips:
Bob Marovich interviews The Barrett Sisters [Billie GreenBey and Rhodessa Porter] on CONVERSATIONS WITH THE GOSPEL LEGENDS
https://vimeo.com/165000851?ref=fb-share&fbclid=IwAR2nKlIeKPNo0uUQE50o6gOrzikepYjR3UC7g8023WaH5z3yFWmX_JElToo
PakalanaPikake
March 31, 2020 at 7:57 AM
@leetennant @snarkyjellyfish @bebeswtz @msrabbit @kat23 @hebang @ndlessjoie @lugirl131415 @tspmasala @willow @moomoomoondog @carmen @hotcocoagirl @coffeprince4eva @suriyana-shah @pinklolipop @sicarius @kimbapnoona @justme @greenfields @wishfultoki @raonah @moana @anothernicole @khalessymd @oppafangirl @bammsie @natzillagorilla @acacia @sweetiepie54 @waterhyacinth @isthatacorner @fatcat007 @tsutsuloo @maybemaknae @rukia @pineapplegongzhu @eazal @babybeast @thetinyl @yyishere @stpauligurl @ayaan @outofthisworld @mmmmm @rueffie @flyingcolours @sensationalfantasy @pickleddragon @bcampbell1662 @edgarpordwed @ally-le @bdxpelik @katakwasabi @february @edgarpordwed
tsutsuloo
March 31, 2020 at 12:07 PM
Thanks for sharing, @pakalanapikake! That was quite rousing!
PakalanaPikake
April 3, 2020 at 5:46 AM
You’re most welcome, @tsutsuloo. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. 😉
This is what’s known as “making a joyful noise.” There’s something about the “blue notes” in jazz and blues that makes me feel good all over. Even more so when coupled with uplifting reminders that the Creator is still on duty, especially at times like the present.
Blues pianist Thomas A. Dorsey continued to write music in that idiom when he left profane music behind after the death of his wife and infant, and focused on sanctified music. For me, the attraction of blues and Mr. Dorsey’s brand of gospel is the emotion they convey — a far cry indeed from the staid (and sometimes depressive) Latin hymns of my early childhood. I especially love the classic gospel piano of Mr. Charles Pikes, who accompanies the Barrett Sisters on “Walk And Talk With Jesus,” as well as that of Mildred Falls, who was Mahalia Jackson’s accompanist for 20 years.
https://blues.org/blues_hof_inductee/georgia-tom-dorsey/
A few secular selections:
Tampa Red and Georgia Tom: “It’s tight like that” (1928)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_vSXGER9gM
Jane Lucas and ‘Georgia Tom’ Dorsey: “What’s That I Smell” 1930 Blues
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5gIs8sno3A
Jane Lucas = Queen Victoria Spivey, who nurtured up-and-coming musicians (including Bob Dylan in 1962) on her Spivey Records label in the 60s and 70s in the New York area. She also released albums by blues greats such as Roosevelt Sykes, Big Joe Williams, Lonnie Johnson, and Big Joe Turner.
https://www.needsomefun.net/02-march-bob-dylan-played-harmonica-and-backing-vocals-to-the-victoria-spivey-recording-session/
Tampa Red & Georgia Tom – You Can’t Get That Stuff No More
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZ-YCwjqXb0