The sheer emotional language and zeal of gospel music affected R&B, soul, rock & roll, and even country more than is commonly realized, as this marvelous compilation from Bluebird Records shows. Drawing on the vast back catalog of vintage 78s in the Bluebird and Victor vaults, The Sacred Roots of the Blues is the 11th installment in the excellent When the Sun Goes Down: The Secret History of Rock & Roll series, and like the other entries, it's careful and intelligent sequencing opens a whole hidden world to the listener. ...
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The sheer emotional language and zeal of gospel music affected R&B, soul, rock & roll, and even country more than is commonly realized, as this marvelous compilation from Bluebird Records shows. Drawing on the vast back catalog of vintage 78s in the Bluebird and Victor vaults, The Sacred Roots of the Blues is the 11th installment in the excellent When the Sun Goes Down: The Secret History of Rock & Roll series, and like the other entries, it's careful and intelligent sequencing opens a whole hidden world to the listener. What is most immediately striking here is the sparse power of these cuts, where simple handclaps or a single guitar spark beneath impassioned singing, often in a call-and-response format, like the set opener, "Gabriel," where handclaps and a trumpet drive Elder Charles Beck & His Congregation like twin pistons. Often there are no instruments involved at all, as in the Golden Gate Jubilee Quartet's a cappella "Job," where the trading of lyric fragments between alternating voices generates a relentless forward momentum, a technique elaborated by the Utica Institute Jubilee Singers into a jazzy, complex syllabic word game on "Peter on the Sea." At the other end of the spectrum is Paul Robeson's "Deep River," which is sad, searching, and stately. Another highlight here is the odd and atmospheric "Honey in the Rock" by Blind Mamie Forehand, which is as bare and electric (and subliminally dangerous) as a frayed wire. Over a half-century of music is represented on Sacred Roots of the Blues (the earliest recording, "Pour Mourner" by the Dinwiddie Colored Quartette, hails from 1902), making it a wonderful introduction to true, unadorned gospel. When the emotional intensity of gospel collided with the secular themes of the blues -- when Saturday night met Sunday morning, if you will -- the seeds were sown for R&B, soul, and rock & roll, and this compilation offers an indispensable road map to the very crossroads of that musical Big Bang. ~ Steve Leggett, Rovi
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Add this copy of Sacred Roots of the Blues (When the Sun Goes Down to cart. $7.99, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Ruby rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2004 by RCA Victor.
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Seller's Description:
Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Sacred Roots of the Blues (When the Sun Goes Down to cart. $14.22, fair condition, Sold by Goodwill of Orange County rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Santa Ana, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2004 by RCA.
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Fair. This item has very light surface scratches that do not affect the use of the disc/s. This is a USED item and case may have light wear. All items unless otherwise noted will include disc, case, and artwork. Codes have been used. Other contents such as booklets may vary, please inquire for details. All items ship Monday-Friday within 2-3 business days.
Add this copy of Sacred Roots of the Blues (When the Sun Goes Down to cart. $15.00, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Diamond rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2004 by RCA Victor.
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Seller's Description:
Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Sacred Roots of the Blues (When the Sun Goes Down to cart. $89.99, very good condition, Sold by beneton rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Millsboro, DE, UNITED STATES, published 2004 by RCA Victor.
