Customer Reviews

Spirituals in Rhythm

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Sister Rosetta Tharpe never recorded anything that wasn't at the least joyous. Although one should start with the box set Original Soul Sister, and get a prime sampling of her 1940's solo guitar recordings, 1st. However for the seasoned Tharpe fan this cd is a delightful surprise. Although she doesn't really solo on guitar, she does play on every track, and her voice is spirited. She uplifts some gospel standards, and sounds as preachy as ever backed by a small choir, on several cuts. The liner notes are useless as far as giving recording dates, one guesses these sides were recored somewhere between 1959 or early 60's. It is not as good as her Live in 1960, because of the lack of guitar playing, however this cd is a reissue of an lp, that was on a budget label. The cover of the album is awesome, showing Tharpe and her guitar, if you want a chepaer version buy the Direct Source Label edition, which is the same as this minus the glamorous original cover art work.

It's hard to say which was more astonishing: Sister Rosetta Tharpe's high, sweet gospel singing or her intricate guitar playing. Both were so accomplished and so original that she became the first black gospel singer to "cross over" to a wider white audience even while her flamboyant performances in nightclubs occasionally scandalized her core churchgoing audience. We at Collectors' Choice Music are indeed proud to offer one of the only Sister Rosetta Tharpe CDs available, a dozen gospel performances including "I Saw the Light," "Nothing Between," "Shine for Jesus," "Never Alone," "What Are They Doin' in Heaven?," "The Family Prayer," "Blow Ye the Trumpet," "God Leads Us Along," "Oh, the Joy Came to Me," "Seeking for Me," "I Do, Don't You?" and "He's the Lily of the Valley." A sanctified Collectors' Choice Music exclusive from an overlooked legend!