Culture

Gospel

GOSPEL, the latest history series from Henry Louis Gates, Jr., digs deep into the origin story of Black spirituality through sermon and song.

The Gospel Train

51m 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.

Episodes

  • The Gospel Train: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Gospel Train

    E1 - 51m 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.

  • Take the Message Everywhere: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Take the Message Everywhere

    E3 - 51m 25s

    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.

Extras + Features

  • The March on Washington Showcased Sermons and Songs: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The March on Washington Showcased Sermons and Songs

    S1 E2 - 2m 50s

    The 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom would be a showcase for sermon and song. The day's program packed, King only had a few minutes to deliver the speech of a lifetime. And, as always, Mahalia was there to lift him up.

  • Musicians' Powerful Response to Birmingham Church Bombing: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Musicians' Powerful Response to Birmingham Church Bombing

    S1 E2 - 5m 12s

    Less than a month after the March on Washington, four little girls were murdered at a Sunday School in Birmingham. Several days later, a gathering of musicians by the gifted choir master James Cleveland would offer a powerful message of resilience.

  • Just a Closer Walk With Thee: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Just a Closer Walk With Thee

    S1 E1 - 2m 45s

    Cory Henry plays "Just A Closer Walk with Thee" (arranged by Kenneth Morris) on the Hammond organ, an instrument integral to the gospel sound. Dr. Henry Louis Gates sits with Reverend James Bryson of the legendary First Church of Deliverance, who explains the reaction by some church members to this strange new instrument.

  • Mahalia Jackson's Major Label Debut: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Mahalia Jackson's Major Label Debut

    S1 E1 - 2m 2s

    Mahalia Jackson records on a major label for the first time in 1937 -- and surprisingly, the Queen of Gospel's records are not well received.

  • GOSPEL Inside Look: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    GOSPEL Inside Look

    S1 - 30s

    From acclaimed scholar Henry Louis Gates, Jr., GOSPEL explores Black spirituality in sermon and song. From the blues to hip-hop, African Americans have been the driving force of sonic innovation for over a century. While musical styles come and go, there is 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.

Schedule

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