Customer Reviews

Hallelujah: Gospel Celebration [VHS]

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

 

 

Not a whole lot of film exists of classic gospel music from the pre-Kirk Franklin era, so Videos like this should be snapped up by fans as soon as possible.

This rare film was done in 1965 at an ancient Cathederal in Germany, in pristine Black & White. More than a concert, it includes some singing and preaching by a Bishop Kelsey (no first name given) and his congregation. This is a good example of what most African-American churchgoers hear every Sunday morning. Then we get some raw Golden-age Gospel from Inez Andrews and her singers and the legendary Five Blind Boys of Mississippi with enough soul power to make James Brown sound like Lawrence Welk (imagine this, folks). The finale at the end with all of the participants performing "This Train" will surely uplift your spirits and I love the way the camera pulls away from the end to show these wonderful musicians singing alone in this majestic Cathederal. What a great shot that adds to the mood of the proceedings!

In either case, see this after a hard day at work or school. You won't be sorry. Needs to be on DVD though, as well as other examples of Golden-age Gospel.