Track Listing

1. My Man and I - Sister Rosetta Tharpe
2. This Train - Sister Rosetta Tharpe
3. Sit Down - Sister Rosetta Tharpe
4. Trouble in Mind - Lucky Millinder, Sister Rosetta Tharpe
5. Shout, Sister, Shout! - Lucky Millinder, Sister Rosetta Tharpe
6. Rock Me - Sister Rosetta Tharpe
7. Nobody's Fault But Mine - Sister Rosetta Tharpe
8. I Want a Tall Skinny Papa - Lucky Millinder, Sister Rosetta Tharpe
9. God Don't Like It - Sister Rosetta Tharpe
10. What Is the Soul of Man? - Sister Rosetta Tharpe
11. Singing in My Soul - Sammy Price Trio, Sister Rosetta Tharpe
12. Strange Things Happening Everyday - Sammy Price Trio, Sister Rosetta Tharpe
13. Two Little Fishes and Five Loaves of Bread - Sammy Price Trio, Sister Rosetta Tharpe
14. Jonah - Sammy Price Trio, Sister Rosetta Tharpe
15. Didn't It Rain - Sammy Price Trio, Sister Rosetta Tharpe
16. Natural Facts - Sammy Price Trio, Sister Rosetta Tharpe
17. Down by the Riverside - Sammy Price Trio, Sister Rosetta Tharpe
18. Up Above My Head I Hear Music in the Air - Sammy Price Trio, Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #24826 in Music
• Released on: 2003-09-16
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered

Customer Reviews

Shout, Sister, Shout!
You know, I really don't care for Sister Rosetta Tharpe's style of singing, but this CD was AWESOME. I was really shocked. This is a well-put-together compilation of her earliest sides. In my personal opinion, I feel that "The Natural Facts" and "Two Little Fish & Five Loaves of Bread" are the best songs on this CD. And even though Sister Tharpe's recording of "Didn't It Rain" is different from Queen Mahalia Jackson's, it's also a favorite on my list.

GREAT CD!!!!!!

Absolutely enthralling collection of Sister Rosetta Tharpe's finest Decca recordings.
Over the past three decades I had come across her name on numerous occasions. Yes, I certainly had heard of Sister Rosetta Tharpe but as far as I know I had never actually heard any of her recordings. My interest in hearing her work peaked recently after reading Gayle Ward's engaging biography of this remarkable lady entitled "Shout, Sister, Shout". After finishing the book I immediately ordered what appeared to me to be the best available collection of her music. In 2003, MCA/Decca released this marvelous single disc collection they call "Sister Rosetta Tharpe: The Gospel of the Blues". This disc made me a huge fan in very short order.
"Sister Rosetta Tharpe: The Gospel of the Blues" features the cream of the crop of her most productive years at Decca between 1938 and 1947. While Rosetta always considered herself to be first and foremost a gospel singer she nonethless did not hesitate to venture into other genres when the opportunity arose. You can sample some of her earliest gospel offerings on this disc. Memorable songs like "Rock Me", "Sit Down" and her own composition "This Train" were big sellers in the late 1930's. Along about 1941 Rosetta received an offer she simply could not turn down. The popular Lucky Millinder big band offered her an opportunity to be a featured vocalist. Many of her ardent gospel devotees were extremely upset with Rosetta for singing secular music. However, the gig with Lucky Millinder would prove to be highly successful and result in several of her biggest hits. You may sample three of these tunes on this disc including the rollicking "Shout, Sister, Shout", "Trouble In Mind" and the blues classic "I Want A Tall Skinny Papa" from 1942. After a few successful years with the band Sister Rosetta Tharpe decided it was time to return to her roots once again. In the mid 1940's she produced some of her very finest work. Sample Sister's take on traditional tunes like "God Don't Like It", "Didn't It Rain" and "Strange Things Happening Everyday". And if that were not enough enjoy her inspiring duet with Marie Knight "Up Above My Head I Hear Music In The Air". Outstanding!
I cannot say enough about "Sister Rosetta Tharpe: The Gospel of the Blues". All I know is that I have become a fan for life. Pick this one up for yourself and you just might discover why a young Elvis Presley used to listen to her recordings all the time. "Sister Rosetta Tharpe: The Gospel of the Blues" comes complete with a very informative 16 page booklet. Very nicely done and very highly recommended!

A fine single disc samper of thsi faithful woman of God
Sister Rosetta Tharpe truly had a calling(a Gift) from God, and she submitted to it perfectly(Glory to God!). Tharpe sang the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but in a style where she blended marvelously Gospel music with jazz, swing, and blues. Tharpe touched many lives, including those of G.I.'s in the war, via radio broadcasts. Tharpe not only sang with passion and swing, and with a clear dicty voice, but with soul, and conviction! She also happens to be one of the greatest jazz guitar players of all time, always incorperating creative and swinging jazz guitar solos, into every piece she recorded. A great single disc cd that will proove that Tharpe was one of the finest jazz based gosel singers of all time, and certianly a jazz guitarist on the same level as Charlie Christianson.