Rock and Roll is Holy ... brothers and sisters!

Posted almost 2 years ago

Artist:
- PLAY
Sister Rosetta Tharpe
Album:

The Gospel Of The Blues
Track:
- PLAY
Up Above My Head I Hear Music in the Air

Do NOT QUESTION one who wields a solid body Gibson guitar this well! You would be wise to listen to the sound. Gospel music is very good for your soul. Some lately good conversations around here about Dave Brubeck sparked me to dig out some Scorsese flicks that I haven't enjoyed for too long. My favorite turn-on from the series was learning about Sister Rosetta Tharpe. When I first saw & heard her grand blues & rhythm choir I hit repeat about 10 straight, wonderful times. This is as cool a guitar slinging as you can get my friends (she flairs that picking hand better than Jimi). I can never get enough. Realize that for a young group of aspiring British musicians, this was nothing short of astounding. It really is the holy roots of rock & roll - one of the very first times we had ever heard a solid-body electric guitar and a Hammond - let alone in front of a choir. George Melly used to say that despite the halo around her head on the stage, she used to like to have a rather brandied good time. Robert Plant & Alison Krauss do a wonderful song called "Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us" on their new release, Raising Sand. Good, good stuff.-

Get thee down to the riverside and listen.>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xzr_GBa8qk <<

Comments (8)

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ZeppoNoir says Move over Pete! Now if my baptist minister had jammed on the SG like that I might have stayed in the church. Now pardon me, I'm afraid I'm gonna have to testify.

Permalink posted 02/11/2008
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MasonJar says That is awesome, FRMR. I love the sound of good gospel. Now I now who the Sister Rosetta is in that fantastic song on the Plant/Krauss album (written, of course, by the marvelous Sam Phillips).

Permalink posted 02/11/2008
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dermahrk says Brought a BIG smile to my face early in the morning. I LOVE it when she takes that guitar solo. Fabulous.

Permalink posted 02/12/2008
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FastRMacR says Glad you liked the post gentlemen! Thanks for the comments. Yeah she always puts a grin on my face with that solo! :) I love how she says 'Let's do that again!"

Permalink posted 02/12/2008
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Bartleby says Shame on me, I've never heard of Sister Rosetta before. It's like listening to the creation of the blues... Give me the four gospels in one go if it's delivered with Sister Rosetta's fervour. I want to be touched by her devout grace as I've been moved by FastR words. Thanks for sharing this.

Permalink posted 02/15/2008
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FastRMacR says All those British youth who were already listenin' to acoustic blues Big Bill Broonzy suddenly were as bowled over as you just were. Imagine .. it is practically the beginning of the electric guitar and the 'gods' that were to follow. Your own wonderful former critic, musician, etc, George Melly, had some cool things to say about her.

Permalink posted 02/18/2008
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P-Theory says
Sister Rosetta Tharpe was one of my favourite musicians ever have you checked this out?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7lN1R2LP-4

Permalink posted 06/26/2008
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FastRMacR says
Great pleasure indeed! Many thanks

for sharing that < tips hat >.

Oh Yeah! Rain Rain Rain O Yes!

Permalink posted 08/10/2008