The older women on the screen right is Mother May Belle Carter of the Carter family fame &, later, Johnny Cash's mother-in-law after he married June Carter.
Mahalia had a transcendent voice. I have been listening to her sing for 50 years and she still gives me chills - natural sevenths, sly and beautiful grace notes, little fillips on the ends of phrases - man, she had a gift that has not been heard since she left this earth.
Thanks for posting that - she was a woman of immense talent and steadfast committment to using her vocal gifts to praise the Lord. That kind of character, sadly, has passed from this vale as well.
I enjoyed watching Johnny sing that. I wouldn't expect a guy in his early thirties to be able to sing that song with such conviction but he's always been good at surpassing expectations.
Elijah Rock. This is my favorite version of this song by Mahalia. Some of them are over-produced - this is one is spare enough (I only hear a piano) to allow her voice to be heard loud and clear.
Knowledge of Mahalia is crucial to any music education. She had many imitators, some students, but no one could match her power and overall awesomeness. Yeah, that's the word.
15 comments:
The older women on the screen right is Mother May Belle Carter of the Carter family fame &, later, Johnny Cash's mother-in-law after he married June Carter.
A great black gospel interpretation from The Soul Stirrers with Sam Cooke.
Great hymn. I've performed it in church frequently.
It was the Roman soldiers did it, not me!
That was real perty.
Beautiful.
Mahalia Jackson does it beautifully as well.
I thought this was a commercial for The Maids.
Mahalia had a transcendent voice. I have been listening to her sing for 50 years and she still gives me chills - natural sevenths, sly and beautiful grace notes, little fillips on the ends of phrases - man, she had a gift that has not been heard since she left this earth.
Thanks for posting that - she was a woman of immense talent and steadfast committment to using her vocal gifts to praise the Lord. That kind of character, sadly, has passed from this vale as well.
Her accompanyists were amazing, too.
I enjoyed watching Johnny sing that. I wouldn't expect a guy in his early thirties to be able to sing that song with such conviction but he's always been good at surpassing expectations.
Hmmm, sounds like the line from "The Robe", "Were you out there?".
Lydia and YH, thanks for the alternate versions!
Sixty, her voice is exquisite. I don't really know anything specific by her. Will you tell me one of your faves?
Because one must know these songs. Once again, the accompaniment is top notch. Her vibrato is a balm from Gilead.
Elijah Rock. This is my favorite version of this song by Mahalia. Some of them are over-produced - this is one is spare enough (I only hear a piano) to allow her voice to be heard loud and clear.
Knowledge of Mahalia is crucial to any music education. She had many imitators, some students, but no one could match her power and overall awesomeness. Yeah, that's the word.
Tom Waits once recalled a favorite moment of driving through Texas listening to Mahalia Jackson on a tinny AM radio. She could project.
Thanks, Sixty :)
High praise, indeed, DB!
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