Mahalia Jackson - World's Greatest Gospel Singer [New CD]

2 LPs ON 1 CD

5 STARS DOWN BEAT MAGAZINE
 

This CD presents Mahalia Jackson’s complete 1954 LP The World’s Greatest Gospel Singer (Columbia CL644), as well as her complete album Sunday at Newport Jazz Festival 1958(Columbia CL1244), which has been included here as a bonus. The former consists of her debut LP for Columbia, while the latter presents the singer live at the celebrated venue with a program that repeats a number of the songs that were issued on the aforementioned studio album. Both LPs received a 5-star rating in Down Beat.

Includes 24-pages booklet

PERSONNEL:

(1-11)  The World’s Greatest Gospel Singer

MAHALIA JACKSON, vocals
MILDRED FALLS, piano
RALPH JONES, organ
ALLEN HANLON, guitar
FRANK CARROLL, bass
BUNNY SHAWKER, drums

New York, November 23, 1954.

(12-25) Sunday at Newport Jazz Festival 1958

MAHALIA JACKSON, vocals
MILDRED FALLS, piano
LILTON MITCHELL, organ
TOMMY BRYANT, bass

Newport Jazz Festival, Newport, Rhode Island, July 6, 1958.

Tracks:

01 I’M GOING TO LIVE THE LIFE I SING ABOUT IN MY SONG 2:37
02 WHEN I WAKE UP IN GLORY 4:2
03 JESUS MET THE WOMAN AT THE WELL 2:2804 OH LORD IS IT I? 2:51
05 I WILL MOVE ON UP A LITTLE HIGHER 5:2
06 WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN 3:55
07 JESUS 2:19
08 OUT OF THE DEPTHS 3:44
09 WALK OVER GOD’S HEAVEN 2:38
10 KEEP YOUR HAND ON THE PLOW 2:32
11 DIDN’T IT RAIN 2:34
12 Introduction by Willis Conover 0:24
13 AN EVENING PRAYER 3:01
14 A CITY CALLED HEAVEN 3:53
15 I’M ON MY WAY 2:35
16 IT DON’T COST VERY MUCH 3:17
17 DIDN’T IT RAIN 3:35
18 HE’S GOT THE WHOLE WORLD IN HIS HANDS 2:37
19 WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN 3:14
20 I’M GOING TO LIVE THE LIFE I SING ABOUT IN MY SONG 4:2
21 KEEP YOUR HAND ON THE PLOW 1:36
22 THE LORD’S PRAYER 4:16
23 WALK OVER LORD’S HEAVEN 5:04
24 JOSHUA FIT THE BATTLE OF JERICHO 2:12
25 HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW 2:02

Total Time: 77:46

 

Original Down Beat review: The World’s Greatest Gospel Singer
“The subtitle of this album is The World’s Greatest Gospel Singer, reflecting the consensus that Mahalia has indeed no visible challengers. As George Avakian notes, gospel singing has its roots in the early Negro spirituals, and the spirituals are one of the foundation sources of the jazz tradition. That’s why Mahalia’s magnificent album is rated here. This is one not to be missed.” (Nat Hentoff)

Original Down Beat review: Sunday at Newport Jazz Festival 1958
“Looking back, Miss Jackson emerges as the single truly outstanding star of Newport ’58. In every way, this set is a superior recording. Of all the volumes recorded at Newport in recent years, this is the one that stands head and shoulders above the rest.” (Dom Cerulli)

“When I was a girl I washed dishes, scrubbed floors, bent over a wash-tub, just to help keep my family alive. I knew the blues, but there’s despair in the blues; I sang God’s music because it gave me hope. I still need the hope and happiness God’s music brings.” Mahalia Jackson