"Say Amen, Somebody" '83

The soundtrack to George T. Nierenberg's fine 1982 film documentary on gospel music, Say Amen, Somebody isn't quite as explosive an experience with the visual elements stripped away, but it still packs a pretty joyous punch. Nierenberg centered his film around two pioneering gospel artists, Rev. Thomas A. Dorsey, who wrote scores of gospel classics, including "Take My Hand, Precious Lord" and "Peace in the Valley," and Willie Mae Ford Smith, whose dynamic "song and sermon" approach to gospel set an almost impossible to duplicate performance standard. Dorsey was 83 years old (he died in 1993) and Smith was 79 years old (she passed in 1994) when Nierenberg shot his film in 1980, so he literally captured the twilight phase of gospel's golden era. Modern gospel truly begins with Dorsey, who morphed from the barrelhouse piano player he was in the '20s (he recorded as Georgia Tom) into the 20th century's premier gospel composer in the '30s. He's featured here in two performances, one of his a classic "Take My Hand, Precious Lord" (the great Mahalia Jackson also does a version on the album) and the other an incredibly poignant, halting and endearingly affected version of "When I've Done My Best." Smith has four tracks, highlighted by the spirited "Canaan" which closes out the set. One really has to see Smith to really appreciate what she's doing, however, as she was as much a visual testament to gospel in her performances as a vocal one. Several younger, next generation gospel artists are also given tracks here, most notably the O'Neal Twins, Edward and Edgar, on the striking "It's Gonna Rain." The Say Amen, Somebody soundtrack was originally released in 1990 on DRG Records, and this Rykodisc reissue reproduces that release with different cover art and graphics. (Steve Leggett, Allmusic)A remarkable 2007 CD from the Ryko/Filmworks label, "Say Amen, Somebody" is taken from a 1980 concert. Thomas Dorsey and Willie Mae Ford Smith are among the Gospel greats featured. Both were in their 80's when the recording and a film of the concert were made. From the film (get the DVD,too) you see that both needed help getting on stage. It was the only help they needed, however. Dorsey and Smith knew where their power came from and they let their faith take over. One can only imagine what these two sounded like in their prime, some fifty years earlier.
Now to the CD.
"Take My Hand, Precious Lord." Dorsey's most famous song. He has fine accompaniment with a heavenly choir on this rendition. Sweet sounding keyboards play off Dorsey and the choir.
"Jesus Dropped The Charges." The O'Neal Twins shake the rafters with this rave-up. Their dynamic band keeps pace. "Canaan." Here she is. That unstoppable force of nature, Willie Mae Ford Smith. With "Canaan" she brings in all home, puts in all to rest. We hear Wilie Mae start slowly by making a few remarks. She laughs a bit and begins to sing. The choir joins her and the keyboard players (organ and piano) come in. As previously noted, she had to be helped on stage. Now no earthly army could take her off. She sings of those gone on and looks forward to when she'll see them again. She brings down the house. Also of note: "It's A Highway To Heaven" and "He Choose Me". Both by the O'Neal Twins. The CD includes Mahalia Jackson's version of "Take My Hand, Precious Lord."
Dorsey and Smith are singing in a different choir now. They took that highway the O'Neal Twins sing about. For now, we'll have to get by with hearing them on "Say Amen, Somebody". Great CD. Loaded with heart and soul. We'll rate it 5-Stars and add a few million for good measure. (Tom West, The Gospel Monthly)trax disc 1:

1. Highway To Heaven - The O'Neal Twins And The Interfaith Choir 2. Singing In My Soul - Willie Mae Ford Smith 3. What Manner Of Man - Willie Mae Ford Smith 4. When I've Done My Best - Thomas A. Dorsey 5. Take My Hand, Precious Lord - Mahalia Jackson 6. How Can you Have the Blues / If You See My Savior - Thomas A. Dorsey And Sallie Martin 7. I'm His Child - Zella Jackson Price 8. I'd Trade A Lifetime - The O'Neal Twins 9. We Are Blessed - Delois Barrett Campbell 10. Say A Little Prayer For Me - Zella Jackson Price 11. He Chose Me - The O'Neal Twins 12. No Ways Tired - Delois Barrett Campbell And The Barrett Sisters

trax disc 2:

1. Jesus Dropped The Charges - The O'Neal Twins And The Interfaith Choir 2. I'll Never Turn - Willie Mae Ford Smith And Her Family 3. The Storm Is Passing Over - Delois Barrett Campbell And The Barrett Sisters 4. It's Gonna Rain - The O'Neal Twins 5. He Brought Us - Delois Barrett Campbell And The Barrett Sisters 6. Take My Hand, Precious Lord - Thomas A. Dorsey 7. Medley: God Is Love Walkin' And Talkin' With Jesus - Gospel Unlimited Of The Antioch Baptist Church 8. Canaan - Willie Mae Ford Smith

...Many Thanks to clash for the Say Amen share! served by Gyro1966...