Episodes
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The Gospel Train
S1 E1 - 52m 25s
GOSPEL’s hour 1 takes the gospel train north to Chicago, where southern migrants Thomas A. Dorsey, Mahalia Jackson and Sister Rosetta Tharpe blended the melodic sounds and instrumentation of blues and jazz with lyrics about God’s goodness. Like the blues, gospel would become a commodity, but one built by Black-owned publishing companies like Martin and Morris and sustained by Black audiences.
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Gospel's Second Century
S1 E4 - 52m 56s
GOSPEL’s hour 4 opens in the 1990s, when a new generation of music producers, record executives and artists embraced the secular rhythms of R&B and hip-hop to modernize the gospel sound. The launch of the Platinum Age of Gospel brought commercially successful songs about faith to millions in clubs, on cable TV and on urban radio, but drew criticism that gospel music had gone too far.
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Take the Message Everywhere
S1 E3 - 52m 26s
GOSPEL’s hour 3 reveals how gospel was going mainstream and family dynasties, many raised in the Church of God in Christ, would dominate the charts. Meanwhile, other children of the church used their heavenly voice to influence soul music. As gospel artists took the message everywhere, Black pastors continued to distinguish their message through a prophetic voice and sound with sermonettes.
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The Golden Age of Gospel
S1 E2 - 52m 26s
Starting in the 1940s, GOSPEL’s hour 2 explores the Golden Age of Gospel — the dramatic explosion of Black sacred music and the segregated highways of the American South — through the successful careers of Mahalia Jackson, Sam Cooke and Aretha Franklin. As the lines between the sacred and secular blur, gospel music becomes the powerful soundtrack of the freedom struggle.
Extras + Features
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Dionne on Mahalia
S1 E2 - 42s
"She believed and trusted in god, and was not ashamed -- and would let you know that."
Dionne Warwick weighs in on what was special about Mahalia Jackson's voice.
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"Move on Up a Little Higher" Changes the Gospel Game
S1 E2 - 4m 47s
Until the 1940s, male quartets dominated gospel recordings. But, in 1947, Apollo Records, a small independent label decided to take a chance on Mahalia Jackson, an accomplished singer on the Chicago gospel scene. The success of "Move on Up a Little Higher" proved that Gospel music could be both spiritual and profitable.
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Reverend C.L. Franklin Goes on the Record
S1 E2 - 1m 29s
Seeking to grow his audience beyond New Bethel's walls, Rev. Franklin recorded more than 70 albums of sermons with the help of Joe Von Battle, a local record store owner in Detroit.
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Rev. Dwight Andrews Discusses C.L. Franklin's Influence
S1 E2 - 1m 3s
"I listen to C.L. Franklin still to this very day, because of his skill at the preaching exercise."
Rev. Dwight Andrews discusses C.L. Franklin and what Black preaching is.
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Thomas Dorsey's Legacy
S1 E1 - 2m
Thomas Dorsey co-founds the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses in 1933 -- soon the gospel choir would be one of the most important elements of the gospel tradition.
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Extended Trailer
S1 - 3m 18s
From the blues to hip hop, African Americans have been the driving force of sonic innovation for over a century. Musical styles come and go, but there's one sound that has been a constant source of strength, courage and wisdom from the pulpit to the choir lofts on any given Sunday. GOSPEL, the latest history series from Henry Louis Gates, Jr., digs deep into the origin story of Black spirituality
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The Art of Black Preaching
S1 E1 - 48s
Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. visits the Hampton University Ministers' Conference, where he speaks with Bishop Rudolph McKissick and Rev. Dr. William Curtis about the art of Black preaching.
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Married Pastors Spread the Word to Brooklyn Millennials
S1 E4 - 2m 6s
To reach a population of young black millennials motivated by digital activism, married pastors Gabby and Andrew Wilkes began their ministry in Brooklyn. They aptly titled it "The Double Love Experience."
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Twinkie Clark Shows Why the Clark Sisters are Gospel Legends
S1 E3 - 2m 29s
Twinkie Clark demonstrates two of her gospel compositions -- the Clark Sisters' bluesy hit "Is My Living in Vain" and the classically-inspired ballad "My Soul Loves Jesus."
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Andrae Crouch Becomes the Go-To Producer for Pop & Hollywood
S1 E3 - 1m 26s
Andrae Crouch becomes the go-to producer for pop and Hollywood -- bringing the gospel sound to the music of Michael Jackson and Madonna, as well as an Oscar-nominated classic.
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Shirley Caesar's Homage to Shoutin' John
S1 E3 - 1m 25s
Shirley Caesar's 1988 album Live in Chicago features the song "Hold My Mule," which tells the story of Shoutin' John, a man whose praise won't be silenced.
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Mahalia Provides the Soundtrack to the Civil Rights Movement
S1 E2 - 44s
The legendary gospel singer Mahalia Jackson provided the soundtrack for the Civil Rights Movement, financial support with her checkbook and emotional solace in Dr. King's darkest hours.
Schedule
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