Hallelujah

January 27, 2005 5:22 PM

"Precious Lord"sung by Mahalia Jackson (mp3)
No artist brought more acclaim to gospel music than Mahalia Jackson (October 26, 1911 – January 27, 1972). Beginning in 1950, her divine (.wav) talents were featured weekly on Studs Turkel's radio program, and through her music and gentle personality she became so beloved worldwide that her funeral rivaled that of royalty. Mahalia sang "Precious Lord" at Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.'s funeral -- at Mahalia's funeral, Aretha Franklin did the honors. Mahalia was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame posthumously in 1997. Word has it she also made a mean okra gumbo.
posted by miss lynnster (6 comments total)

Amazing vocal cords on that one. Thanks for the link(s)!
posted by pmbuko at 6:06 PM on January 27, 2005

She also had a cameo at the end of "Imitation of Life". Her voice alone elevates an otherwise mundane soap opera into a genuine tear jerker.
posted by nakedcodemonkey at 6:15 PM on January 27, 2005

Oh, she is the best!! There's a musical about her called "Mahalia" (it was put on in MN, I think). My Mom and I spent many good times in the car, listening to the tape. And I sang a song she made famous, "I'm Gonna Live The Life I Sing About (In My Song)" at church camps all the time. Ahhh, good post!
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 8:11 PM on January 27, 2005 [1 favorite]

I am not a big fan of gospel music, but every Christmas morning at my parents' house began with her singing "Go Tell It on the Mountain". Thanks for bringing back some good memories.
posted by TedW at 6:52 AM on January 28, 2005

She was utterly amazing. Thanks for the links.
posted by Vidiot at 9:20 PM on January 28, 2005

Very happy to get this link. Gospel sways me from time to time and the tide seems to be returning.

After wondering what happened to Michelle Shocked I found Strange Things off of a tribute album to Rosetta Tharp (Shout, Sister, Shout). The album itself was a little disappointing for all the talent on it. What's been living in my player is Michelle's "Natural Deep"- she describes it as "gospel dub". I don't know what that is, but this must be it.
posted by pointilist at 11:40 PM on January 28, 2005