Difference between revisions of "Gospel music" - New World Encyclopedia
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| − | '''Gospel music''' is a genre of mostly American music characterized by dominant vocals (often with strong use of harmony) referencing lyrics of a Christian religious nature. Two major types of Gospel music have developed along basically racial lines. These include [[Urban gospel| | + | '''Gospel music''' is a genre of mostly American music characterized by dominant vocals (often with strong use of harmony) referencing lyrics of a Christian religious nature. Two major types of Gospel music have developed along basically racial lines. These include [[Urban gospel|Urban Gospel]] (sometimes referred to as "black Gospel") and its white counterparts, among them: [[Southern Gospel]], and modern Gospel (now more commonly known as praise music or [[Contemporary Christian music]]). |
The creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of Gospel music varies according to culture and social context. It is composed and performed for many purposes, ranging from aesthetic pleasure, religious or ceremonial purposes, or as an entertainment product for the marketplace. However, a common theme is praise and thanks to God and/or Christ. | The creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of Gospel music varies according to culture and social context. It is composed and performed for many purposes, ranging from aesthetic pleasure, religious or ceremonial purposes, or as an entertainment product for the marketplace. However, a common theme is praise and thanks to God and/or Christ. | ||
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==Gospel music genres== | ==Gospel music genres== | ||
===Urban Gospel=== | ===Urban Gospel=== | ||
| − | + | Urban Gospel had its roots mostly in spirituals sung by southern slaves during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. [[Thomas A. Dorsey]] ("Take My Hand, Precious Lord") and other pioneers popularized the more freewheeling form of religious devotion of "Sanctified" or "[[Holiness]]" churches. In the 1920s artists such as Arizona Dranes, many of whom were also traveling preachers, started making records in a style that melded traditional religious themes with barrelhouse, [[blues]] and boogie-woogie techniques and brought [[jazz]] instruments, such as drums and horns, into the church. Early urban gospel music of this nature was often frowned upon in more established black churches, which preferred traditional Baptist and Methodist [[hymns]] without rhythmic accompaniment. | |
| − | [[Image:5a52171r.jpg|thumb|Mahalia Jackson]] | + | [[Image:5a52171r.jpg|thumb|left|Mahalia Jackson]] |
| − | + | In the mid twentieth century, groups such as [[the Dixie Hummingbirds]], [[Soul Stirrers]], [[Swan Silvertones]], the [[Five Blind Boys of Mississippi]], and the [[Mighty Clouds of Joy]] introduced even more stylistic freedom to the genre, often emulating R & B forms, and in turn influencing top popular performers such as [[Wilson Pickett]], [[James Brown]], and [[Sam Cooke]], who himself had been a member of the Soul Stirrers. | |
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| + | At the same time that these quartet groups were reaching their zenith in, a number of female singers were achieving stardom. Some, such as [[Mahalia Jackson]] and [[Bessie Griffin]], were primarily soloists, while others, such as [[Clara Ward]], [[The Caravans]] and others sang in small groups. [[Roberta Martin]] led groups that featured both men and women singers and sponsored a number of individual artists, such as [[James Cleveland]], who went on to change the face of gospel in the decades that followed. | ||
In the 60s, urban gospel started to break way from the traditional church setting. More artists emerged during these decades, and they often began to perform more than minister. More recently, younger artists such as BeBe (Benjamin) and CeCe (Cecilia) Winans and groups such as Take 6 deliver music gospel music with a hip hop flavor. Contemporary gospel songs are usually written in the subgenre of either "praise" or "worship"—former being faster in tempo, stronger and louder, the latter being slower in tempo and more subtle so the message may be taken in. | In the 60s, urban gospel started to break way from the traditional church setting. More artists emerged during these decades, and they often began to perform more than minister. More recently, younger artists such as BeBe (Benjamin) and CeCe (Cecilia) Winans and groups such as Take 6 deliver music gospel music with a hip hop flavor. Contemporary gospel songs are usually written in the subgenre of either "praise" or "worship"—former being faster in tempo, stronger and louder, the latter being slower in tempo and more subtle so the message may be taken in. | ||
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===Southern Gospel=== | ===Southern Gospel=== | ||
Southern Gospel's establishment as a distinct genre is generally date to around 1910, when first professional quartet was formed for the purpose of selling songbooks for the [[James David Vaughan|James D. Vaughan]] Music Publishing Company. However, the style of music itself had existed for at least 35 years prior. | Southern Gospel's establishment as a distinct genre is generally date to around 1910, when first professional quartet was formed for the purpose of selling songbooks for the [[James David Vaughan|James D. Vaughan]] Music Publishing Company. However, the style of music itself had existed for at least 35 years prior. | ||
| − | [[Image:TheOakRidgeBoys.jpg|thumb| | + | [[Image:TheOakRidgeBoys.jpg|thumb|250px|The Oak Ridge Boys originally sang Southern Gospel exclusively, although the later performed country music as well.]] |
Southern Gospel is sometimes called "quartet music" by fans due to the original all male, tenor-lead-baritone-bass quartet make-up. Early quartets were typically accompanied only by piano or guitar, and in some cases a piano and banjo. Over time, full bands were added and even later, pre-record accompaniments were introduced. A typical modern Southern Gospel group performs with pre-recorded tracks augmented by a piano player and possibly a few other musicians. | Southern Gospel is sometimes called "quartet music" by fans due to the original all male, tenor-lead-baritone-bass quartet make-up. Early quartets were typically accompanied only by piano or guitar, and in some cases a piano and banjo. Over time, full bands were added and even later, pre-record accompaniments were introduced. A typical modern Southern Gospel group performs with pre-recorded tracks augmented by a piano player and possibly a few other musicians. | ||
| − | Early | + | Early Southern Gospel artists such as [[The Speer Family]], [[The Blackwood Family]], [[The Lefevre Trio]] and [[The Carter Family]] achieved wide popularity through their recordings and radio performances in the 1920s through the 1950s. Others such as [[Homer Rodeheaver]], [[George Beverly Shea]], [[Cliff Barrows]] or the [[Cathedral Quartet]], became well-known through their association with popular [[Evangelism|evangelist]]s such as [[Billy Sunday]], [[Rex Humbard]] and [[Billy Graham]]. |
Some of the best known Southern Gospel male quartets from various decades include [[the Blackwood Brothers]], the [[Cathedral Quartet]], [[Legacy Five]], The [[Stamps Quartet]], the [[Statesmen Quartet]], the [[Imperials (gospel music)|Imperials]], Sunshine Boys Quartet, the Blue Ridge Quartet, [[Gold City]], the [[Kingsmen Quartet]], the [[Triumphant Quartet]], The [[Kingdom Heirs]], the [[Gaither Vocal Band]], Brian Free and Assurance, the [[Florida Boys]], the [[Masters V]], [[The Inspirations]], and the [[Oak Ridge Boys]]. | Some of the best known Southern Gospel male quartets from various decades include [[the Blackwood Brothers]], the [[Cathedral Quartet]], [[Legacy Five]], The [[Stamps Quartet]], the [[Statesmen Quartet]], the [[Imperials (gospel music)|Imperials]], Sunshine Boys Quartet, the Blue Ridge Quartet, [[Gold City]], the [[Kingsmen Quartet]], the [[Triumphant Quartet]], The [[Kingdom Heirs]], the [[Gaither Vocal Band]], Brian Free and Assurance, the [[Florida Boys]], the [[Masters V]], [[The Inspirations]], and the [[Oak Ridge Boys]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Christian Country music=== | ||
| + | [[Christian Country music]], sometimes referred to as Country Gospel music, is a subgenre of Gospel music with a country flair, is also known as Inspirational Country. It originated as a blend of early mountain music, cowboy music, and the music from the plantations of the Deep South. It was out of this blend of music that Southern Gospel music was birthed and was found primarily in the southern states. Today, Christian Country music has blended with a new brand of music called Positive Christian Country music. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Christian Country music was recorded by groups with southern Gospel flair like the [[Oak Ridge Boys]], [[The Cook Family Singers]], [[Ray Price (musician)|Ray Price]], [[Red Sovine]], [[The Louvin Brothers]] and [[The Carter Family]]. | ||
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| + | Many secular country music artists have recorded Country Gospel songs or have performed them on their radio and television programs. [[Tennessee Ernie Ford]] was known for including these types of songs at the conclusion of his weekly television show which in turn became one of the most successful segments. Other shows like '', the Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters Show, and the [[Statler Brothers]] implemented the same programming style. ''[[The Grand Ole Opry]]'', one of country music's longest running and most popular shows, has always included Gospel music as a part of its program. | ||
===Progressive Southern Gospel=== | ===Progressive Southern Gospel=== | ||
| − | [[Progressive Southern Gospel]] | + | [[Progressive Southern Gospel]] gew out of Southern Gospel over the past couple of decades. The style can trace its roots to groups like the [[Nelons]] in the 1980s, who appeared regularly on events with traditional Southern Gospel groups despite their sound which was called "middle of the road" at the time. |
Current Progressive Southern Gospel is characterized by its blend of traditional [[Southern Gospel]] instrumentation with elements of modern [[Country music|Country]] and [[pop music]]. Hints of other styles are frequently employed in the mix as well. In some Progressive Southern Gospel, you can hear a touch of [[Cajun]], [[Celtic music|Celtic]], [[Bluegrass music|Bluegrass]], or even [[Southern Rock]]. | Current Progressive Southern Gospel is characterized by its blend of traditional [[Southern Gospel]] instrumentation with elements of modern [[Country music|Country]] and [[pop music]]. Hints of other styles are frequently employed in the mix as well. In some Progressive Southern Gospel, you can hear a touch of [[Cajun]], [[Celtic music|Celtic]], [[Bluegrass music|Bluegrass]], or even [[Southern Rock]]. | ||
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===Bluegrass Gospel=== | ===Bluegrass Gospel=== | ||
| − | Bluegrass gospel music is simply Southern Gospel music performed by a bluegrass band. Early bands such as those of Bill Monroe and the Stanley Brothers often set aside | + | Bluegrass gospel music is simply Southern Gospel music performed by a [[Bluegrass music|bluegrass]] band, sometimes with bluegrass arrangements. Early bands such as those of [[Bill Monroe]] and the [[Stanley Brothers]] often set aside their [[banjo]]s and [[fiddle]]s to sing Southern Gospel quartet arrangements of both traditional and original songs. Later, Gospel singing was incorporated into normal bluegrass arrangements. |
| − | In the last quarter of the twentieth century, several groups emerged that specialized in bluegrass gospel, | + | In the last quarter of the twentieth century, several groups emerged that specialized in bluegrass gospel, the best known being [[Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver]]. Most bluegrass groups still include one Gospel song in every set they perform on stage and include a Gospel track on every album. |
===Gospel blues=== | ===Gospel blues=== | ||
| − | [[Gospel blues]] is a blues-based form of | + | [[Image:Blind willie johnson.jpg|thumb|Blind Willie Johnson]] |
| + | [[Gospel blues]] is a blues-based form of Gospel music featuring a combination of [[blues]] guitar and spiritual or Christian lyrics. Many early blues performers included Gospel blues in their repertoire. Some, like [[Son House]], [[Blind Willie Johnson]], and [[Skip James]] straddled the fence between religion and the blues, sometimes working as preachers and Gospel singers but also playing professionally as blues singers. Others, like the [[Reverend Gary Davis]], played Gospel blues only, considering traditional blues to be satanic. In these cases, it was usually a question of lyrical content rather than music form that was the issue. However, Gospel blues performers often steer clear of dance-oriented blues styles such as 12-bar shuffles-beat song and [[boogie-woogie]] dance tunes. | ||
==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
Revision as of 00:21, 9 April 2008
Gospel music is a genre of mostly American music characterized by dominant vocals (often with strong use of harmony) referencing lyrics of a Christian religious nature. Two major types of Gospel music have developed along basically racial lines. These include Urban Gospel (sometimes referred to as "black Gospel") and its white counterparts, among them: Southern Gospel, and modern Gospel (now more commonly known as praise music or Contemporary Christian music).
The creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of Gospel music varies according to culture and social context. It is composed and performed for many purposes, ranging from aesthetic pleasure, religious or ceremonial purposes, or as an entertainment product for the marketplace. However, a common theme is praise and thanks to God and/or Christ.
History
The relationship between the origins of white and African-American Gospel music is a matter of some controversy. Some argue that Gospel music is rooted in Africa and was brought to the Americas by slaves. However, Gospel harmonies and many of the hymns themselves also show a clear British influence. Recent studies by Professor Willie Ruff, an Afro-American ethno-musicologist at Yale University, conclude that African American Gospel singing was in fact was encouraged by Scottish Gaelic speaking settlers from North Uist[1] Thus, traditional Scottish Gaelic psalm singing, in which the psalms are called out and the congregation sings a response, may have been the earliest form of congregational singing adopted by Africans in America. Call-and-response singing, however, has also been found among many African tribes, and it is certain that the southern slave culture adapted African traditions to the Christian songs they were taught by their slave owners.
Although white and black Gospel singing may have grown up side by side and cross-fertilized to a great extent in the south, the sharp division between black and white America, particularly black and white churches, have kept the two apart. While those divisions have lessened slightly in the past fifty years, the two traditions are still distinct.
In the early twentieth century, recordings of Gospel songs began to create a market for Gospel music in the emerging recording industry. Gospel and spiritual songs by white groups such as the Carter Family and Gospel blues by such performers as Son House and others were among these. In the 30s and 40s, the Grand Ole Opry regularly featured bluegrass and traditional Gospel singing, while pioneer Urban Gospel performers began to gain popularity among black audiences.
By the mid twentieth century, Gospel music had developed a major market. Soon distinct sub-genres began to appear. Cross-over performers such as Amy Grant and Aretha Franklin brought their Gospel traditions with them into mainstream country and R & B, while occasional Gospel mega-hits such as "Oh Happy Day" by the Edwin Hawkins Singers reached the top of the pop charts. Today, Gospel music is no longer Sunday-only affair, but a major part of the recording industry in the United States.
Although predominantly an American phenomenon, Gospel music has also spread throughout the world including to Australia, with choirs such as The Elementals and Jonah & The Whalers and festivals such as the Australian Gospel Music Festival. Norway is home to the popular Ansgar Gospel Choir, the only true Norwegian Gospel choir. Gospel is also popular in the province of Quebec, Canada, where important gospel choirs such as Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir are famous.
Gospel music genres
Urban Gospel
Urban Gospel had its roots mostly in spirituals sung by southern slaves during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Thomas A. Dorsey ("Take My Hand, Precious Lord") and other pioneers popularized the more freewheeling form of religious devotion of "Sanctified" or "Holiness" churches. In the 1920s artists such as Arizona Dranes, many of whom were also traveling preachers, started making records in a style that melded traditional religious themes with barrelhouse, blues and boogie-woogie techniques and brought jazz instruments, such as drums and horns, into the church. Early urban gospel music of this nature was often frowned upon in more established black churches, which preferred traditional Baptist and Methodist hymns without rhythmic accompaniment.
In the mid twentieth century, groups such as the Dixie Hummingbirds, Soul Stirrers, Swan Silvertones, the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi, and the Mighty Clouds of Joy introduced even more stylistic freedom to the genre, often emulating R & B forms, and in turn influencing top popular performers such as Wilson Pickett, James Brown, and Sam Cooke, who himself had been a member of the Soul Stirrers.
At the same time that these quartet groups were reaching their zenith in, a number of female singers were achieving stardom. Some, such as Mahalia Jackson and Bessie Griffin, were primarily soloists, while others, such as Clara Ward, The Caravans and others sang in small groups. Roberta Martin led groups that featured both men and women singers and sponsored a number of individual artists, such as James Cleveland, who went on to change the face of gospel in the decades that followed.
In the 60s, urban gospel started to break way from the traditional church setting. More artists emerged during these decades, and they often began to perform more than minister. More recently, younger artists such as BeBe (Benjamin) and CeCe (Cecilia) Winans and groups such as Take 6 deliver music gospel music with a hip hop flavor. Contemporary gospel songs are usually written in the subgenre of either "praise" or "worship"—former being faster in tempo, stronger and louder, the latter being slower in tempo and more subtle so the message may be taken in.
Southern Gospel
Southern Gospel's establishment as a distinct genre is generally date to around 1910, when first professional quartet was formed for the purpose of selling songbooks for the James D. Vaughan Music Publishing Company. However, the style of music itself had existed for at least 35 years prior.
Southern Gospel is sometimes called "quartet music" by fans due to the original all male, tenor-lead-baritone-bass quartet make-up. Early quartets were typically accompanied only by piano or guitar, and in some cases a piano and banjo. Over time, full bands were added and even later, pre-record accompaniments were introduced. A typical modern Southern Gospel group performs with pre-recorded tracks augmented by a piano player and possibly a few other musicians.
Early Southern Gospel artists such as The Speer Family, The Blackwood Family, The Lefevre Trio and The Carter Family achieved wide popularity through their recordings and radio performances in the 1920s through the 1950s. Others such as Homer Rodeheaver, George Beverly Shea, Cliff Barrows or the Cathedral Quartet, became well-known through their association with popular evangelists such as Billy Sunday, Rex Humbard and Billy Graham.
Some of the best known Southern Gospel male quartets from various decades include the Blackwood Brothers, the Cathedral Quartet, Legacy Five, The Stamps Quartet, the Statesmen Quartet, the Imperials, Sunshine Boys Quartet, the Blue Ridge Quartet, Gold City, the Kingsmen Quartet, the Triumphant Quartet, The Kingdom Heirs, the Gaither Vocal Band, Brian Free and Assurance, the Florida Boys, the Masters V, The Inspirations, and the Oak Ridge Boys.
Christian Country music
Christian Country music, sometimes referred to as Country Gospel music, is a subgenre of Gospel music with a country flair, is also known as Inspirational Country. It originated as a blend of early mountain music, cowboy music, and the music from the plantations of the Deep South. It was out of this blend of music that Southern Gospel music was birthed and was found primarily in the southern states. Today, Christian Country music has blended with a new brand of music called Positive Christian Country music.
Christian Country music was recorded by groups with southern Gospel flair like the Oak Ridge Boys, The Cook Family Singers, Ray Price, Red Sovine, The Louvin Brothers and The Carter Family.
Many secular country music artists have recorded Country Gospel songs or have performed them on their radio and television programs. Tennessee Ernie Ford was known for including these types of songs at the conclusion of his weekly television show which in turn became one of the most successful segments. Other shows like , the Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters Show, and the Statler Brothers implemented the same programming style. The Grand Ole Opry, one of country music's longest running and most popular shows, has always included Gospel music as a part of its program.
Progressive Southern Gospel
Progressive Southern Gospel gew out of Southern Gospel over the past couple of decades. The style can trace its roots to groups like the Nelons in the 1980s, who appeared regularly on events with traditional Southern Gospel groups despite their sound which was called "middle of the road" at the time.
Current Progressive Southern Gospel is characterized by its blend of traditional Southern Gospel instrumentation with elements of modern Country and pop music. Hints of other styles are frequently employed in the mix as well. In some Progressive Southern Gospel, you can hear a touch of Cajun, Celtic, Bluegrass, or even Southern Rock.
Where traditional Southern Gospel more often emphasizes blend and polish, Progressive Southern Gospel tends to be presented with a more emotional tone. Vocalists are known for experimenting, stretching, scooping, slurring, and over accentuating melodies and diction.
Lyrically, Progressive Southern Gospel songs are patterned after traditional Southern Gospel in that they maintain a clear evangelistic and/or testimonial slant. In many cases, lyrical content and/or Country diction are the only elements separating a Progressive Southern Gospel artist from a pop oriented, Contemporary Christian music artist.
Contemporary Christian Music
Sometimes considered outside the realm of Gospel music, Contemporary Christian Music is a genre of popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith. The term is typically used to refer to the Nashville, Tennessee-based pop, rock, and worship Christian music industry, currently represented by artists such as Amy Grant, Avalon, Chris Tomlin, Jars of Clay, Jeremy Camp, MercyMe, Michael W. Smith, Petra, Rebecca St. James, and others. The industry is represented in Billboard Magazine's "Top Christian Albums" and "Hot Christian Songs" charts, and by Radio & Records magazine's Christian AC (Adult Contemporary), Christian CHR (Contemporary Hit Radio), Christian Rock, and Inspirational (INSPO) airplay charts.
Bluegrass Gospel
Bluegrass gospel music is simply Southern Gospel music performed by a bluegrass band, sometimes with bluegrass arrangements. Early bands such as those of Bill Monroe and the Stanley Brothers often set aside their banjos and fiddles to sing Southern Gospel quartet arrangements of both traditional and original songs. Later, Gospel singing was incorporated into normal bluegrass arrangements.
In the last quarter of the twentieth century, several groups emerged that specialized in bluegrass gospel, the best known being Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver. Most bluegrass groups still include one Gospel song in every set they perform on stage and include a Gospel track on every album.
Gospel blues
Gospel blues is a blues-based form of Gospel music featuring a combination of blues guitar and spiritual or Christian lyrics. Many early blues performers included Gospel blues in their repertoire. Some, like Son House, Blind Willie Johnson, and Skip James straddled the fence between religion and the blues, sometimes working as preachers and Gospel singers but also playing professionally as blues singers. Others, like the Reverend Gary Davis, played Gospel blues only, considering traditional blues to be satanic. In these cases, it was usually a question of lyrical content rather than music form that was the issue. However, Gospel blues performers often steer clear of dance-oriented blues styles such as 12-bar shuffles-beat song and boogie-woogie dance tunes.
Notes
- ↑ The line connecting Gaelic psalm singing & American Music, Line Singing Conference at Yale, 2007. Retrieved December 19, 2007.
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Boyer, Horace Clarence, How Sweet the Sound: The Golden Age of Gospel, Elliott and Clark, 1995. ISBN 0-252-06877-7
- Broughton, Viv, Too Close To Heaven - The Illustrated History Of Gospel Music, Midnight Books, 1996. ISBN 1-900-51600-4
- Brumley, Albert E.; Brumley, Goldie E., The Best of Albert E. Brumley, Powell, Mo: Albert E. Brumley and Sons, 1966. OCLC 51089914
- Darden, Robert, People Get Ready: A New History of Black Gospel Music, Continuum International Publishing Group, 2005. ISBN 0-826-41752-3
- Heilbut, Anthony, The Gospel Sound: Good News and Bad Times, Limelight Editions, 1997. ISBN 0-879-10034-6
- Zolten, Jerry, Great God A' Mighty!: The Dixie Hummingbirds - Celebrating The Rise Of Soul Gospel Music, Oxford University Press, 2003. ISBN 0-195-15272-7
External links
All links Retrieved December 19, 2007.
Professional organizations
- Firebird Arts Alliance - Encourages all races and religions to join
- Gospel Music Association - Acknowledges all forms of Gospel Music
- Pacific Gospel Music Association - Known for Southern Gospel
- Southern Gospel Music Association - Known for Southern Gospel
- Gospel Wire - Primarily urban contemporary gospel
Media outlets
- Bobby Jones Gospel
- Gospel Music Channel
- The Inspirational Network
- Christian Broadcasting Network
- Trinity Broadcasting Network
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