CLASSIC AFRICAN AMERICAN GOSPEL SMITHSONIAN FOLKWAYS

Spirituals, guitar evangelists, “Shout” bands, quartets and choirs sing out the sacred sounds of African American Gospel music. This Smithsonian Folkways “Classic” spans over a half century of select recordings to paint a broad panorama of this cherished musical creation. Reverend Gary Davis, Sister Ernestine Washington, Sonny Terry, the Fisk Jubilee Singers and Elizabeth Cotten are among those featured on these 24 tracks of soulful song.

Jesus Going to Make Up My Dying Bed – Horace Sprott
Oh Lord, I’m So Glad I Got Good Religion – Starlight Gospel Singers
Thank You, Lord – Alvin Dockett and Blessed
When I Was Sinkin’ Down – the Fisk Jubilee Singers
Just Got Over at Last – Little Brother Montgomery
Moses Smote the Water – the Thrasher Wonders
Soon, One Mornin’ – Rev. Willie Gresham
Dry Bones: Ezekiel Saw the Wheel – the Missionary Quartet
Holy Ghost – Juanita Johnson and the Gospel Tones
Where Could I Go – Sister Ernestine Washington with Bunk Johnson
Oh, What a Beautiful City – Sonny Terry
You’ve Got to Move – Two Gospel Keys
Let the Church Say Amen – Elder Charles Beck
I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say – Bishop Bowen and the Combined Gospel Choirs
If I Had My Way – Rev. Gary Davis
Low Down Death Right Easy – Dock Reed
He’s My Rock – Brother John Sellers
Hallelujah, It Is Done – Elizabeth Cotten
We Praise Your Holy Name – Mississippi Mass Choir
Don’t Let His Name Go Down – First Independent Holy Church of God and Unity
Go Tell It on the Mountain – Fannie Lou Hamer
Been in the Storm So Long – Mary Pinckney
Every Time I Feel the Spirit / Swing Low, Sweet Chariot / They Hung Him on the Cross (Medley) – Lead Belly
It’s Time to Make a Change – Madison’s Lively Stones