Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I bought this collection after hearing a couple of songs on columbia's radio station. I'm not particularly a gospel fan but the songs i heard sounded great. I could easily hear gospel's influence on r&b, blues and rock and roll. The sound quality is raw because of the rarity of the tracks but that does not diminish from the enjoyment of the music. If you love early r&b and blues, I would highly recommend this album. If you love gospel and Jesus, then it really is no brainer. Either way the album is full of win!

This excellent compilation covers numerous gospel styles that I've never heard captured on recordings elsewhere. As the album cover itself implies, the sound quality is raw, but if you just imagine you've lucked out and tuned into a distant radio station you'll be grateful for this grainy window into new worlds. Highly recommended for those with an interest in gospel and especially for fans of the Mississippi Records label.

This compilation has created quite a stir on the Internet, and no wonder! This 3-disc set is simply phenomenal! I won't reiterate what other reviewers have said, but jut want to add that, yes, most of this stuff is not readily available anywhere else. A couple are found on JSP's "Spreading the Word" 3-disc set, and the Two Gospel Keys' number is also available on the Kip Kornell-produced "Classic African American Gospel" comp CD put out by Smithsonian Folkways in 2008. The Elder Roma Wilson number and Rev. Louis Overstreet's "Working On A Building" are also readily available, too. But most of the rest is "rare" and for the most part "raw". Newer listeners to gospel may be put off by the slow congregational lined-out "Dr. Watts" hymns, but to my ears, they sound just as otherwordly and raw as the rest.

All in all, this is a stellar "Nuggets"-style compilation, probably the best of its type, and it establishes a high bar indeed for all future efforts. Although the packaging may not be as elaborate as Dust-to-Digital's "Goodbye Babylon" set, it surely reaches the same heights in terms of selections, production values and sheer coolness. And at a price that is affordable, too!! GET THIS!!

an amazing collection of raw spirit gospel songs. only a few artist that Ive heard of, the music featuring congregations is particularly uplifting. ii was a little weary of this collection, as i haven't heard much gospel from this era(1945-2007) i volunteered at a old time and bluegrass radio station in the 90s, which gave me access to lots of pre war music,(i think they had most of the Yazoo labels disc) my favorite by far was the gospel. most of the gospel i sought out myself 5-10 years ago was just to clean, not the case here, and i was very pleased to see a couple rev utah smith songs, one of my favorites. i knew from the first track, it was gonna be a great listen, but when i listened to track 2, rock n roll sermon, recorded in 1956, i was blown away, sounding very rocknroll, intense, the guitar is insane. elder beck wailing away, preaching the gospel. Many songs i liked so much i googled the band or congregation, and found no information at all, there are some really rare songs in this collection. Ive also noticed a few songs where the congregation is singing the same line over and over again, till it drifts into the melody, and you have to listen for the words, but the singing hasn't changed. Ive noticed this style in sun ra and fela kuti songs. its really amazing to hear. i wish i knew the term for this, and which particular congregations, groups or singers are known for this style. all the songs have character, you dont get the sense that these songs were copies of each other. some of the revs had really funky sometimes hardcore styles. from the greatest shouting, screaming, and singing, to just the baddest guitar you'll hear. lots revs using distorted guitars, and getting really rock funk jazz., sweet warm distorted guitar some of the earlier songs are just mind blowing, you hear players taken advantage for the first time electric guitars and in some cases what sounds like effects. though it could just be the recording matched with a tube amp with a lot of gain.
Nobody Knows, by Robert Brown and the Sons of the South, may be the best song ever, a pulsating steady organ, smooth harmony, intense breakdown.
True Loving Five doing Lord Hold My Hand, is worth noting, most of these songs are really amazing.
its title says it all
its all rare, most of it is very raw and otherworldly(truly otherworldly) also a portion of the proceeds from this compilation will benefit the New Orleans musicians relief fund.
Fire Shed in My Bones by Boyd Rivers, A++ great song.
also check out
nuggets of gospel
a four cd collection from the jsp label. same type of collection, no repeat songs, spanning from 1945-1956. amazon sells it for 28$.

Others have already provided excellent descriptions of this authentically powerful & ragged release. I know nothing about Gospel music, but I adore Gospel when it is performed well (to my ears at least). This release is high you can't get over it, so low you can get under it, so wide you can't get around it. I will be uncovering the many gems buried throughout this release for years to come. I have a little radio show on a volunteer community, radio station in Carrboro, NC and I regularly feature some music from this release on my show...Rock, Funk, Rap & Blues fans will all dig this....A+

Three great cd's for a great price. Lot's of obscure titles not available on other compilations. If you like classic gospel music you need this collection. Get it and get the spirit!

Great collection, 3cds, fab packaging. Liked it so much, I plan to get a few as gifts.