There are many mysteries in this universe that are probably best not explained. The answers would probably be just too weird for our poor little brains to cope. One of the biggest and strangest mysteries out there is the fascination that skinny white Jewish guys like me have with Black gospel music.
What is it about that stuff that makes it strong enough to go against over 5,000 years of biological and racial memory so that just hearing the opening notes from a choir makes me want to run out and find the nearest Southern Baptist Church and throw myself into the water.
Luckily for my mother's heart I live in Canada; it's January, and nobody in their right mind is going to immerse them selves in a creek in this weather. Anyway the nearest Southern Baptist is who knows how many thousands of miles away from here.
I remember the first time seeing and hearing one of the old time gospel groups. The Zion Harmonisers had come up from New Orleans and were playing at the Mariposa Folk Festival one Sunday morning, when it was still out on the Toronto Islands. They just blew me away.
Any art that's inspired by belief seems to have something a little extra that draws you in. From the raw power of picto-glyphs daubed on a rock face; the orchestral might of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, and the more inspired religious art of the renaissance. It's like the work transmits something of the divine.
That's the feeling I get from really good gospel music. The people singing and playing are so devout that their feelings just shine right through. It's like they have no choice in the matter; they're so inspired that it pushes them to get up and sing.
There used to be a stupid saying "You don't have to be Jewish to like…but it doesn't hurt" Well the same holds true for gospel; you don't have to be Christian to like it, and too be honest I can't see how anybody anywhere couldn't be moved by the pure energy and spirit demonstrated by these singers and performers.
Article comments
1 - Guppusmaximus
You said it all my friend...Great Review. Gospel is amazing!
"One of the biggest and strangest mysteries out there is the fascination that skinny white Jewish guys like me have with Black gospel music...."
Well, it's not so strange to me...
Jews,Christians,Catholics,etc. We all believe in God! Gospel just lets that faith rejoice via the great communication of music without any predjudice. Look at Elvis Presley, he was a brilliant white(non-denominational religious) guy who didn't just love Gospel but snag it better than his "Pop" hits.. Talk about "Soul Stirring".
Again, Great Review...
2 - Mark Saleski
nice reivew.
it IS a strange attraction, isn't it?
heck, i'm an atheist and i love this stuff...especially some of the other (and often poorly recorded) material. has a lotta country blues in it.
3 - gypsyman
I think what it comes down to is the music is just so damn infectuous. You can't help but like it for the energy and the joy. In these days of so much techno pop and over produced squeaky voiced singers, its so refreshing to hear a real person sing.
gypsyman
4 - Mark Saleski
last gospel-oriented cd i got was the Blind Boys of Alabama cd with the version of Tom Waits' "Way Down In The Hole".
great stuff.