Just inquiring why there aren't any documentaries of the golden age of gospel music..spanding from 1940s-1960s...I am so surprised that TVONE's UNSUNG hasn't tried to capture this..don't know because some of the artist are no longer with us..there should be a documentary somewhere..that capture some of the greatest to ever sing gospel music..I would love to see docs on these:

James Cleveland

Prof. Alex Bradford

Clara Ward and The Ward Singers

The Davis Sisters

Jackie Verdell

The Swan Silvertones

The SOul Stirrers

Dorothy Love Coates and THe Gospel Harmonettes

The O'Neal Twins

The Dixie Hummingbirds

The Mighty Clouds of Joy

THe Stars of Faith

Brother Joe May

Rosetta Tharpe

Delois barrett Campbell and The Barrett Sisters

The Roberta Martin Singers

The Fairfield Four

The Pilgrim Traveleres

Albertina walker and The Caravans

The Consolers

and so so many others!!

I've seen some gospel documentaries on PBS years ago, but don't remember what they were called. One was black gospel and another was gospel singers in general, like Andrae Crouch, Sandi Patty, DC Talk, Amy Grant, etc. PBS has shown a lot of music documentaries over the years, including a recent one about the early record industry narrated by Robert Redford.

The only one I can remember was Say Amen Somebody. It was about Thomas Dorsey, Willie Mae Ford Smith, The Barrett Sisters & O'Neal Twins. If you can find it please check it out. The music is amazing.

nammie said:

The only one I can remember was Say Amen Somebody. It was about Thomas Dorsey, Willie Mae Ford Smith, The Barrett Sisters & O'Neal Twins. If you can find it please check it out. The music is amazing.

This is the Ryko-produced DVD release for this legendary documentary film by the great George Nierenberg that explores the lives and music of the pioneers of modern Gospel music. Features Willie Mae Ford Smith, Thomas A. Dorsey, The Barrett Sisters and The O’Neal Twins. This is the 2-disc deluxe edition. Included on the first disc is a director's commentary and the theatrical trailer. The second disc is the 15-song CD of the soundtrack. And finally, there's a deluxe "hymn book" with essays, lyrics and rare photos!

Out-of-print for the last few years, Milestone has now acquired these copies from director George Nierenberg's own supply he received from original distributor Ryko when the rights reverted. They do have a cut-out on the spine but they are new copies.

Milestone will be releasing a new edition in 2018 along with Nierenberg's amazing NO MAPS ON MY TAPS and ABOUT TAP. www.milestonefilms.com

MickyDolenz said:

nammie said:

The only one I can remember was Say Amen Somebody. It was about Thomas Dorsey, Willie Mae Ford Smith, The Barrett Sisters & O'Neal Twins. If you can find it please check it out. The music is amazing.

This is the Ryko-produced DVD release for this legendary documentary film by the great George Nierenberg that explores the lives and music of the pioneers of modern Gospel music. Features Willie Mae Ford Smith, Thomas A. Dorsey, The Barrett Sisters and The O’Neal Twins. This is the 2-disc deluxe edition. Included on the first disc is a director's commentary and the theatrical trailer. The second disc is the 15-song CD of the soundtrack. And finally, there's a deluxe "hymn book" with essays, lyrics and rare photos!

Out-of-print for the last few years, Milestone has now acquired these copies from director George Nierenberg's own supply he received from original distributor Ryko when the rights reverted. They do have a cut-out on the spine but they are new copies.

Milestone will be releasing a new edition in 2018 along with Nierenberg's amazing NO MAPS ON MY TAPS and ABOUT TAP. www.milestonefilms.com

Oh Micky THANKS for this info. Gotta grab this

nammie said:

The only one I can remember was Say Amen Somebody. It was about Thomas Dorsey, Willie Mae Ford Smith, The Barrett Sisters & O'Neal Twins. If you can find it please check it out. The music is amazing.

Will check it out

Years ago, probably in the eraly 90's PBS did Docu-Special on the Life of Queen Mahalia Jackson....My Mother played LOTS of Gospel records when I was a child so you know Mahalia records got wore out...

I only remember bits & pieces from the PBS Docu...PBS talked about how towards the end of Mahalia's life she suffered from stomach ulcers...It was beyond painful for her to even walk on stage..No matter how much pain she was in she knew God called her to Sing so she lived with it...Ultimately it killed her...

Mahalia did not die broke in the 1970's...According to PBS Mahalia left her adopted daughter $4 Million dollars and a home(s)..

Mahalia's Succcessor, Shirley Caesar is our Generation's Queen of Gospel/First Lady...Shirley wears the crown well..We all love Mama Shirley...

I would definitely be interested in checking out some Gospel music documentaries. I'm sure there's a lot of rich history in Gospel music.

www.magpictures.com

Thanks for the posts everyone!