Black Gospel
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Black gospel is the broad tradition of African American sacred music built on the fervent solo voice, the choir, and the interplay of Hammond organ, piano, bass, drums and hand-claps. It is defined by improvisatory melisma, blue tonality, call-and-response, and a worship arc that moves from reflective devotion to shouting release. Encompassing quartets, soloists, choirs and contemporary crossover, its constant is emotional truth-telling and communal participation. Signature techniques include vocal "worrying," the driving vamp, the organ swell and the congregational shout.
History
Black gospel grew from spirituals, the blues and the sanctified church in early-20th-century America, coalescing as Thomas A. Dorsey's Chicago compositions gave the new "gospel songs" their shape in the 1930s. Mahalia Jackson, James Cleveland, the Caravans and Shirley Caesar led the golden age, while the Edwin Hawkins Singers' "Oh Happy Day" (1969) and Aretha Franklin's church-recorded "Amazing Grace" (1972) carried the music to pop audiences. Andraé Crouch and later The Clark Sisters modernized it, and its DNA seeded soul, R&B and rock. Centered on labels like Savoy, Peacock, Malaco and Verity and on the Black church nationwide, Black gospel remains one of America's most influential musical traditions.
Defining artists
Essential listening
- Oh Happy Day(1969) — Edwin Hawkins SingersSpotifyYouTube
- Take My Hand, Precious Lord(1956) — Mahalia JacksonSpotifyYouTube
- Peace Be Still(1963) — James ClevelandSpotifyYouTube
- Amazing Grace(1972) — Aretha FranklinSpotifyYouTube
- You Brought the Sunshine(1981) — The Clark SistersSpotifyYouTube
- The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power — Andraé CrouchSpotifyYouTube
Sources
- Robert Darden, People Get Ready! A New History of Black Gospel Music (2004)
- Anthony Heilbut, The Gospel Sound: Good News and Bad Times (1997)
- Mellonee V. Burnim and Portia K. Maultsby, African American Music: An Introduction (2014)