Search - George T. Nierenberg :: Say Amen Somebody: Music From the Film

All Stars In The Sky.

Tom West | J.T., PA, USA | 08/05/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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.



"

Respecting our musical heritage!

K. N. Cornwell | Chicago, IL USA | 01/25/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The CD Say Amen, Somebody is the soundtrack from the documentary of the same name. It features some of the founding songwriters, singers of a musical genre that became know as Black Gospel music. Thomas Dorsey, Willie Mae Ford, Roberta Martin are interviewed in the film, seen attending a gospel music convention and the like. As a student of history, in particular Black history,and a music lover, it was wonderful to see, hear these founding "giants" discuss the tough road that travel to bring acceptance and respectability to a musical art form that was once considered "secular music that didn't belong in a church". Their voices might be thin but their spirit is strong! To the reviewer who tried to compare this body of work to the more contemporary work of Kirk Franklin (a fine artist to be sure), I say this: There would be NO Kirk Franklin if it weren't for the trailblazing work of the artists featured here. See the film, it's available on DVD first and then buy the CD. Say Amen Somebody is a musical gem that should be treasured!"