   |
|
  DVD The documentary guides the viewer down the fascinating path of Gospel music, using some wonderful historical footage combined with insightful commentary and analysis from not only noted academics and historians, but also from artist themselves, ranging from John P. Kee to Dr. Bobby Jones to Rev. Milton Biggham to Thomas Dorsey himself.  Written and guided by Gospel historian Horace Clarence Boyer, (author of 1995's How Sweet the Sound: The Golden Age of Gospel), the film chronicles the rise of Gospel, begining with the roots of the genre in the slave trade, moving to "discovery" by mainstream audiences, thanks to extensive touring of The Fisk Jubilee Singers and the popularity of "race records" in the early part of the 1900's.From there, using deftly assembled interview segments and archival footage, the story unfolds with fascinating tales of The Clara Ward Singers, James Cleveland, The Caravans, Sister Rosetta Tharpe and of course, Mahalia Jackson. Plus several more. One of the fascinating, albeit brief, segments brings in black and white footage of The Edwin Hawkins Singers performing "Oh Happy Day" on television in Britain. And then there's The Clark Sisters and Tramaine Hawkins, plus some rivetting audio and visuals of New York's ARC (Addiction Rehabilitation Center) Choir. Exploring the influences on the genre, as well as its very reason for existence (the good news of Jesus Christ), as well as the significant impact that it has had on popular culture, this is must-viewing for anyone wishing to gain insight into the history of Gospel. Ninety minutes later, the film ends with the boisterous sounds and energetic motions of New York's Danny Eason and the Abundant Life Youth Crusade Choir. In a bonus, there's some extra stuff included as DVD extras, including biographical and discography information on several of the artists featured, and two video clips of historical gospel performances (Shirley Caesar for the first time in Britain, on TV, singing with The Caesar Singers, and Mahalia Jackson in concert in Britain (dating from 1964). You may have seen this production on PBS's Great Performances series (it was first aired in 1996) —now you have the opportunity to make it your own. Email This To A Friend BBC — reviewed by Stan North —
All content in GospelFlava © copyright 2004. No information to be reprinted or re-broadcast from this site without the expressed written consent of GospelFlava.com. All rights reserved. |
            
|