Customer Reviews

Rev. Louis Overstreet With His Sons And The Congregation Of St. Luke's Powerhouse Church Of God In Christ

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I ran into this cd while searching for a recording of "I'm a Soldier in the Army of the Lord". What I found was a blast from my past! Growing up as a preacher's kid in Virginia/Carolina in a pentecostal/apostolic church, this cd reflects the core of the praise and worship of a true Pentecostal church. The response of the congregation, interaction in singing and lively instrumentation and improvisation is nothing but the holiness church in it's purest and rawest form. While we did dance a lot in during service and dance to this day, the spontaneous shout sessions on this recording clearly reflect an oppressed people that had no place to go and no other outlet than the churchhouse. Though their civil and social lives were bound by Jim Crow laws and racism, their spirits were free and joined to God and that is reflected in the interjections and liveliness of their worship. While this cd may not be a high quality recording, it is high quality pentecostal worship that transcends every thing earthly and reaches the realms of glory itself. I recommend this cd to anyone who has an appreciation for or a desire to learn more about black spirituality, gospel music, jazz, the blues, the early roots of rock and roll and last but not least pentecostalism within the United States. This cd is a jewel to behold and one that should be placed on every gospel music afficianado's list.

This is raw, trance like gospel that is quite different than anything we can hear in today's media. Rev. Overstreet's voice is like a lion's roar, aimed at getting inside the listener's heart and transforming it. The ecstatic rhythms aim at the same thing - getting inside you and moving you. This is no background music - you just cant listen to it while having coffee with friends...
Most of the songs are performed live, starting from the leaders shouted sermon and culminating in a musical ecstasy. There are a few tracks featuring the leader in a more relaxed surrounding, singing and playing the guitar. While he clearly does it well, this is not the high point of the CD.
I have been listening to gospel for many years, yet this CD managed to surprise with its power and drive. I recommend it to gospel fans who want to get to the core of the music, or to others who would appreciate a music that is honest, rough and hard driving.

I know of no other recording which captures the spirit of rough gospel music,storefront religion and street gospel music like Rev.Louis Overstreet.This is the real deal.It ain't exactly Hi-Fi,but it is high on excitement.What a gem.My favourite gospel album,Hands down.

A stunning LP.

Some of this isn't recorded perfectly, but the strength and intensity of the performances more than makes up for that. The first two tracks, "In The Morning" and others are so powerful--I've listened to this CD in my car for 3 days and I can't get enough.

I'm not a gospel fan. I am a fan of Arhoolie records and the many varied types of folk (in the broadest sense) music that Chris Strachwitz, the owner of the label has recorded. i happened upon one cut in a compilation CD, and that led me to purchase this CD. It is great, raw, wonderful inspiration. Not much else to say, just listen to it. And if you read the liner notes, the Rev. Overstreet was never musically trained, just heard a voice from on high that told him to buy a guitar, and he did so.

these people weren't ashame to praise the lord. you can tell in their music it reminded me of when i was a little girl going to the holiness church. written by stephanie

Rev. Overstreet is probably the most unknown of the great guitar evangelists but probably,with the exception of Blind Willie Johnson,the most Raw and Powerful.Like Blind Willie;he sings in a rough Preacher whoop/field holler style with hard-driving,trance-inducing guitar style that similar to John Lee Hooker or Rl Burnside,but in a holiness gospel rocking style. coupled that with a steady kick drum that he stomps and accompanied by his church congregation or four sons;this is some of the most intense holiness church music ever recorded!

This CD captures the spirit of an era that has all but vanished. The Rev. Overstreet's guitar playing reflects the roots of Rock & Roll, as the congregation rocks & rolls in the Spirit.

You will find yourself swaying as you hear the moaning of the saints' interplay to the sermon and the conregational worship. This CD came as a surpise for me and is a must for anyone who is in search of "real" down-home gospel or want a glimpse of an original American music form.