Gospel Music

More primer than compilation, this recent "Gospel 101" release is made for those who are dragged to a gospel brunch, become transfixed by the heavenly voices, then want to catch up in a hurry. This is strong stuff, even if the selections are fairly rote (save a standout track by little known Troy Ramey & the Soul Searchers). And now I'm jealous, thinking about all the lucky ones who'll get to experience hearing "Oh, Mary Don't You Weep" by the Swan Silvertones and "Strange Man" by Dorothy Love Coates for the first time. Remember what it felt like when you discovered that Sam Cooke had a career before "You Send Me"? It was like finding religion — or at least the music that proves that there must be a God.