Fire in My Bones: Raw, Rare & Otherworldly African-American Gospel, 1944-2007

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 27, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 3
• Label: Tompkins Square
• ASIN: B002NACY72
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #31,283 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

The majority of this music has never been reissued on CD, or in any other form (most tracks were originally released on regional independent labels). Most post-WWII compilations of African-American gospel music naturally concentrate on the astounding quartet and solo vocalist sounds made during the music's Golden Age. Fire In My Bones attempts to address and collect more neglected sounds from that era (and on to the present day). Dozens of traditions are represented. Some go back hundreds of years while others seem to have been arrived at as soon as the tape began to roll. Field recordings and studio tracks are all mashed together, with solo performances next to congregational recordings, hellfire sermons next to afterlife laments. Leon Pinson, Elder & Sister Brinson & the Brinson Brothers, Grant & Ella, Straight Street Holiness Group, Theotis Taylor, Brother & Sister W B Grate -- these artists will now be just a little less obscure.


Fire In My Bones provides a small peek at the incredible diversity and power of post-war black gospel. Much of this music is raw, distorted and might sound a bit strange. But it is not presented as a novelty freak show or as "outsider music." This is gospel - which we must always remember translates as "the good news" - as it has been sung and performed in tiny churches and large programs, from rural Georgia to urban Los Angeles. It is clearly among the most vibrant, playful, beautiful and emotionally charged music in the world.


Produced by Mike McGonigal. Package design by Grammy-winner Susan Archie.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars ONE OF THE BEST GOSPEL COLLECTIONS THIS YEAR OR ANY OTHER, December 31, 2009

By 

Stuart Jefferson (San Diego,Ca) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Fire in My Bones: Raw, Rare & Otherworldly African-American Gospel, 1944-2007 (Audio CD)

Three discs 79,78,78 minutes each approximately. The sound,while not pristine,is suitable for this type of music,especially the smaller-sized groups heard here. The discs are slipped in,bare,into their individual cardboard sleeves-not the best for preservation,a minor quibble. The booklet gives short,track-by-track info on each performer/performers. There are reproductions of 45rpm record labels sprinkled throughout,along with a couple of photographs of performers from the era. The various artists are in (a seemingly) random order,which gives this collection a better flow from track to track. In addition,a portion of any profits from this set helps musicians in New Orleans,who lost their livelyhood due to Hurricane Katrina.

This collection takes a slightly different look at gospel music-not attempting a rehash of the usual gospel music/performers from the golden age of gospel music (just after WWII through the late 50's/early 60's)that even today exerts a powerful hold on listeners. There are many people who listen to nothing but gospel music,and anyone who listens to blues music should be aware of,at least,the more well known country (BLIND WILLIE JOHNSON,SISTER GERTRUDE MORGAN,REVEREND GARY DAVIS,"MISSISSIPPI" FRED McDOWELL,REV.J.M. GATES,ELDER CHARLES BECK 1946-56 as examples),and gospel singers/collections ("Angola Prison Spirituals","Prison Blues of the South","Como Now",Sam Cooke and THE SOUL STIRRERS,"NAOMI SHELTON AND THE GOSPEL QUEENS",Rev. Overstreet,CAMPBELL BROTHERS-"You Can Feel It","Spreading the Word-Early Gospel Recordings","Goodbye Babylon","Nuggets of the Golden Age of Gospel 1945-1958","Guitar Evangelists-Vol.1 & 2") available. As far as I know all the above are still available and are very worthwhile owning.

Starting from the golden age this collection rapidly moves into somewhat uncharted territory. In this respect this set is similar to "American Primitive: Vol.1",and "Goodbye Babylon",and the previously mentioned "Spreading the Word...",and the two 4 CD sets,"Guitar Evangelists",and to a lesser extent,"The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of". The main difference on this collection is that it doesn't just include music from gospel's golden age. There are a number of tracks from the late 60's,through the 70's,and a few in the 80's and 90's,and one track from 2007. Many of these performers (similar to other sets) were little known outside their local area,and,if they recorded at all,it was for a small label with very few copies ever being released. This set is so well thought out that it doesn't really matter what year the music was recorded-the overall effect,track-by-track,is very cohesive and powerful in feeling and sound. From small gospel groups/bands ("RAYBORN BROTHERS QUINTET","GEORGIA FIFE AND DRUM BAND") to individual singers (Laura Rivers,Brother Willie Blue),the truth and power of this music shines through. Nothing pretentious,just pure,honest,plain,straightforward-feeling music presented the same way. This music was recorded on shoe-string budgets,and its the better for it. This music isn't over-arranged and slick-just the opposite.

If you listen to gospel music-this is a no-brainer. If you listen to blues,this is something you should consider adding to your collection. This music is certainly timeless in it's appeal and effect. Give it a listen and hear for yourself.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It'll put fire in your bones.., October 30, 2009

By 

Jeremy Rials "JakobGreen" (Louisiania) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Fire in My Bones: Raw, Rare & Otherworldly African-American Gospel, 1944-2007 (Audio CD)

There have been some classic gospel releases in the last few years. (Dust to Digital's - Goodbye Babylon and Take Me To The Water; Revenants's American Primitive Vol. 1.)But this one is different from the others. Instead of mining out more Pre War Gospel, they catch us up on the years following. From 1944-2007 is where this set is based. If your a fan of Kevin Nutt's (who serves as a Adviser on the set) Sinner's Crossroads show on WFMU then you will eat this up. A classic release from Tompkins Square and nice box set design from Susan Archie.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A much needed nuggets approach to Gospel., January 3, 2010

By 

Scott McWade "dubs" (NJ USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Fire in My Bones: Raw, Rare & Otherworldly African-American Gospel, 1944-2007 (Audio CD)

Much of this music, like much of the nuggets genre, was produced for it's own reward. This music made the people that performed it, feel good. Music performed as an excercise in enjoyment. The enthusiasm, just like with nuggets, is contageous. Those that compiled it, perform their own excercise, unearthing it. The lineage from originator to listener is complete, enthusiasm and praise. Let it wash over you, you will be better for it. Blessed. Funky, too.