The latest music documentary from respected filmmaker Don McGlynn is on the heavenly music of Gospel singing and coming in at 2 hours, it must be one of THE most definitive studies on the genre. You certainly have to have a be a good bible-thumping Christian or an avid gospel fan to sit through it. I’ll fess up that being an agnostic, I tend towards the second, which I grew to like in my Methodist orphanage back in the 50’s when Mahalia Jackson‘s powerful contralto voice could be heard even in rural Britain.
The movie is not only a fascinating history of gospel music …. (I particularly liked when it crossed over to more ‘earthly venues’ like Las Vegas Casinos and the singers ditched their modest church choir gowns for some fabulous sparkling frocks) … but it showcases some of the very best artists; many like the Swan Silvertones, the Blind Boys of Alabama that send shivers down even this dis-believers spine.
If you have either a passion for the topic … or are just plain nosey, then this is one for you. It’s definitely too long, but the fact that it plays many of the previous lost tracks in full, makes you want to forgive Mr. McGlynn a tad.
Due out on DVD in the US in November 2011.
★★★★★★
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