By Steve Rhodes
The DuSable Museum’s exhibit Spread the Word! The Evolution Of Gospel From Chicago To The World has been up since September – and runs until May – but a Tribune story last week spurred me to take a closer look (short of attending, which I hope to but haven’t yet).
(“This exhibition at the DuSable Museum of African American History celebrates the rich history of gospel music, from its origins in Chicago to the contributions made to the genre by gospel legends such as Mahalia Jackson, Albertina Walker, Thomas Dorsey, James Cleveland, Sallie Martin and many others,” the city’s tourism website says.)
Additionally, the city recently announced that the Gospel Festival will be spun back out of Taste of Chicago and held on its own this June, albeit at multiple locations yet to be determined.
Let’s go to YouTube and take a look and listen to some relevant Chicago gospel.
1. The Rev. Charles Nicks explains gospel to the square media.
–
2. James Cleveland & The Metro Mass Choir of the Gospel Music Workshop Chicago Chapter.
–
3. “Mahalia Jackson sang this song right before Martin Luther King made his famous ‘I have a dream speech’ in Washington D.C. 1963.”
–
4. “Bob Dylan’s stunning song ‘Pressing On,’ sung by Regina McCrary and the Chicago Mass Gospel Choir.”
–
5. “Pastor James T. Meeks’ daughter makes her debut singing at Salem Baptist Church of Chicago.”
–
6. “Deep Chicago gospel. If you know anything about the performers, please get in touch.”
–
7. Tramaine Hawkins, “Goin’ Up Yonder,” 2008
–
Comments welcome.
Posted on January 12, 2012