Smithsonian Folkways To Release 'Classic African American Gospel From Smithsonian Folkways' January 29, 2008

Washington, DC (Top40 Charts/ Smithsonian Folkways) - On January 29, 2008, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings will release 'Classic African American Gospel from Smithsonian Folkways,' a definitive collection of gospel music selected from the label's vast library of historic recordings. The latest addition to Smithsonian Folkways Recordings' popular "Classic" series, 'Classic African American Gospel' highlights the diversity and rich history of African American gospel music. The album features performances from celebrated artists who helped define and shape the genre, such as Lead Belly, Rev. Gary Davis, The Thrasher Wonders, Sonny Terry and The Fisk Jubilee Singers.

Carefully compiled and thoroughly annotated by Kip Lornell of George Washington University's music department, 'Classic African American Gospel' provides listeners with a comprehensive guide to gospel music's origins and evolution. The 24-track collection uses notable recordings from the end of World War II through the turn of the 21st century to illustrate the hymnal and folk roots of gospel, and explores how slavery and racism profoundly influenced the music's spiritual themes and characteristics. The album unearths historic recordings of familiar gospel favorites, such as activist Fannie Lou Hamer's "Go Tell It on the Mountain," delivered during a civil rights rally in 1963 with the direct emotional power typical of gospel.

'Classic African American Gospel' also examines how radio and music publishers helped increase interest in contemporary gospel music in the 1930s, when record companies began recording sermons, four-part harmony quartets and other gospel performers to meet satisfy a growing market demands. The Thrasher Wonders' recording of "Moses Smote the Water," as well as "Where Could I Go," sung by Sister Ernestine Washington with Bunk Johnson, exemplify the popular gospel songs of this era that influenced artists such as Elvis Presley, Emmylou Harris and Roy Acuff.

The best-selling series of "Classic" albums trace the formative styles and performers of American music. These engaging collections of rare recordings illustrate the key role Moses Asch and his Folkways label played in preserving a vital piece of American history. Other releases from the "Classic" series include 'Old-Time Fiddle' (2007); 'African American Ballads' (2006); 'Canadian Songs' (2006); 'Labor Songs' (2006); 'Railroad Songs' (2006); 'Bluegrass Vol. 2' (2005); 'Southern Gospel' (2005); 'Folk Music' (2004); and 'Maritime Music' (2004).