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Born to a poor family in 1911 in New Orleans, Mahalia Jackson grew up singing in her father's church--and soaking up the blues and jazz for which that city is so famous in the process. By the late 1920s she was in Chicago, where (according to this CD's liner notes) her distinctly jazz and blues-inflected singing style nearly got her thrown out of the Greater Salem Baptist Church. But Mahalia persevered, and in the early 1950s a series of radio and television broadcasts launched her first to national and then international acclaim. Some thirty years after her death in 1972, she is still considered the single greatest gospel singer America has ever produced.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: nothing short of a remastered box set could possibly do justice to Mahalia Jackson. But if you can only own a single CD of her work, the inexpensive BEST OF MAHALIA JACKSON is probably your best choice, for it collects most of the songs for which she was most famous--and a number of less famous but no less beautiful and powerful selections as well.

As in the other Mahalia Jackson recordings it has been my pleasure to explore, the sound quality here is somewhat problematic. But nothing, absolutely nothing, can undermine Jackson's beautiful tone, amazing power, and incredible control. Whether it's her jump-for-joy rendition of such titles as "God Put A Rainbow In The Sky" or her emotionally draining medley of "Summertime" and "Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child," you feel Jackson all the way from the bottom of your feet to the top of your head. Her voice rings through you like a great bell, like the voice of the God she worships in every note of every song.

This is the second Mahalia Jackson CD I have reviewed, and I'm fast running out of superlatives. Truly, this is a voice that belongs alongside the great singers of the 20th Century, and I strongly recommend this CD and her work in general.

--GFT (Amazon Reviewer)--

I know almost nothing about gospel music. But music itself has always been an important part of my life. This was the first gospel album I ever purchased and it is one of the best albums I own. Mahalia has such an AMAZING, inspirational voice.Every song on this album is a timeless classic. I like the upbeat 50's style of much of her music. Her slower songs draw you in because Mahalia's voice is such a powerful instrument. I listen to her sing and it puts me in a euphoric mood. I'm not as crazy about her album of hymns, it's a little too heavy-handed for me. If you love music, this album is for you. Mind you, I am not a particularly religious person. I just keep my eyes peeled for the best music that's out there. This album has upbeat songs like "God Put a Rainbow in the Sky," "Didn't it Rain" and "Walk in Jerusalem." It also has songs that mesmerize me, such as "I Will Move On Up a Little Higher" and Gershwin's "Summertime" from Porgy and Bess.A MUST BUY.

My Goodness this is quite a compelation!!! I thank my God for annointing this woman to sing like...like...like, well, I don't even know how to describel her. You can actualy feal what she sings. You can feal the sense of longing and expectation for rest and reward after a life filled with trial and tribulation. You can also feal the joy and serenity I'm sure she had due to the One she loved to sing about most: her life's Love, and mine: Jesus of Nazareth! This cd has wonderful sound quality and a lovely selection of some of her different modes-- from jubilee, to sorrow/longing, to almost classical-slash-jazzy! You won't be dissapointed! May she rest ever in God's peace.

For anyone wondering what the deal is with gospel music (I was), pick up this disc and find out. The liner notes say " you can close your eeys and feel the breeze provided by the funeral home fan as it brushes air past your cheek." That's no lie - it's hard not to "feel church" listening to this album, no matter how strong your religious conviction. Excellent sound quality, and very good song selection (including several non-gospel numbers) make this a killer collection for everybody. If you're not singing along by time "Didn't It Rain" comes on, check your pulse - you could be dead.

As I was born and raised in Europe I never heard of "Gospel". Then my american husband introduced me to the music of Mahalaja Jackson. I have had the pleasure to enjoy rare performances of great entertainers before, but I have never heard any voice like hers before. The first song I heard her sings was a shabby recording of "Joshua fit the battle of Jericho". Ther recording wasn't even done in stereo. Yet, I got goose bumps when I heard Mahalaja sing. It was a rare experience for me. Even today, when life gets crazy on me all I have to do is just listed to her singing. Her voice is like chicken soup to my soul!

I can only write broadly on what I remember growing up listening to Mahalia Jackson. I grew up listening to radio and was exposed to a wide variety of music. I am not from a religious family but, we appreciated gospel. Whenever Mahalia Jackson would be featured on the radio the volume went up. As a child, the melody was irresistible.Her voice took you to places in the heart you never knew existed and it stayed with you for a long time. I still sleep with the radio on and I was recently awakened to her voice as she sang christmas songs. It still gives me the same feeling. It is unadulterated talent. Anything by Mahalia Jackson is worth listening to. I will not buy a gospel album unless it is by Mahalia Jackson.

You miss the greatest cut "Motherless Child" and you should correct it. Undoubtably the best Gospel EVER.

Mahalia is by far the queen of Gospel music. It's amazing that they thought she was a heritic and almost threw her out of the church. Praise the Lord that a sister like her found the freedom to express her love to and worship of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Rock on!

This CD was gift to my spiritual mom & she listens to it all the time. She also has said to me that she listens to this Cd before going to church & it has made her get happy.
The quality of this CD is excellent.
Thank you for putting the songs together for this CD of Mahalia Jackson.

I only wanted one song from this cd...ended up liking several. Very glad I bought it.