Sister Rosetta Tharpe Vol. 3 (1946-1947)

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Sister Rosetta Tharpe Vol. 3 (1946-1947) album cover
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Total Tracks: 26   Total Length: 74:24

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John Morthland

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John Morthland has been writing about music since the days of electronically rechanneled stereo and duophonic sound. His name has darkened the mastheads of Roll...more »

04.22.11
The sound of the sacred and secular rubbing up against one another.
2005 | Label: Document Records / The Orchard

Sister Rosetta Tharpe was one of the few sacred artists of her era (or any other, until recently) to appear in nightclubs; as the mother of pop-gospel, she showed keen appreciation for the flash, glamour and glitz (to say nothing of the perks) of secular artists. Lyrics like "Everybody's Gonna Have a Wonderful Time Up There (Gospel Boogie)" definitely walked a fine line between sacred and secular, and the 1944 "Strange Things Happening Every Day" first landed her on secular charts. She even cut some straight blues in the early '50s, before retreating quickly back to gospel. Like her vibrato-laden, hurricane-force vocals, her guitar style drew heavily on boogie blues and was a huge influence on first-generation rock 'n 'rollers. All these tensions add blues drama to such tracks as "This Train," "Didn't It Rain" and "Up Above My Head (I Hear Music in the Air)."

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Great Music/Pricing/Vol 1

DottoreDeFunk

This is just brilliant music and I'm a sinner/atheist! However with emusic's new pricing it's not a bargain - check Document's own site where the CDs cost £5.99 or £7.99. Vol 1 is there too. http://www.document-records.com

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Answering the previous views from North Carolina

fredrich

Isn't the point that Sister Rosetta didn't write any of these songs, she is an interpreter of this music, and a damned fine one. Criticizing this music for being downbeat is missing the point. The joy is in the performance. What a mighty fine woman!!! PS Jesus would've loved it!

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Answering the prejudice from North Carolina!!

Morse

Sister Rosetta Tharpe was NO Calvinist as Tussinup from North Carolina claims. YES, she was a Christian and NO Christian (despite Tussinup's ridiculous prejudiced claims) says (Ever!!) that 'Jesus Can't Stand You'. Their message has Always been 'Jesus Loves You; please amend your ways'. I guess this latter phrase is what Tussinup reacts to. But he has chosen the WRONG person to accuse (to vent his bias against?) in Sister Rosetta. She JOINED you, Tussinup, in the night clubs and in your world (if anyone did, Rosetta did) and Accepted (not rejected!) your ways. BUT, she still called you to Jesus, (and why not; she has every right). Sister Rosetta is NOT angry or judgemental either as claimed (it's been noted already she could not be judgemental: she accepted the world's ways). But we ALL have a right (every one of us, even Rosetta) to be angry (does not equal judgemental) at the state of the world and the way we treat one other. Rosetta most certainly knew all about/suffered the latter.

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Fantastic! But Where's VOLUME 1?

LeSwanne

Absolutely fantastic performances from a truly remarkable singer and musician. I need only Vol 1 to complete my collection...why is it not on eMusic?

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Joyous Gospel Blues

NightFly

Sister Rosetta Tharpe inspired by the blues but like most blues artists found their redemption in Jesus..and sings his praise and the only thing mean on this album is her guitar playing...most excellent..real soulful singinging.. You'll enjoy this one.

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Gospel/blues pioneers

hemisphericalradio

Rosetta Tharpe bridged the gap between sacred and secular music, in her guitar playing and singing. I've long loved her duo work with Marie Knight, and it's great to have so much of it in this single disc. The music is built on a paradox, in that the sadness of the blues (and of many spirituals) is turned to hope and joy here. FWIW, I've always found Tharpe's work to be very lighthearted, not at all as it's described in the review below.

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Theologically disturbing

Tussinup

This might be getting too technical for pure lovers of music, but I find the words to these songs unsettling. Sister Rosetta was a Calvinist of the "Jesus loves me, but he can't stand you" school. I found it exhausting to listen to her threaten all of us sinners. The music didn't saver her either. I don't listen to Gospel for altogether religious reasons, but I like to hear the hope of salvation. Sister Rosetta is way too angry and judgmental to offer much hope. There's better gospel at e music.

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