STYLE: Gospel RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 158034-23620 LABEL: Acrobat Music ADDCD3133 FORMAT: CD Album ITEMS: 2
Reviewed by Lins Honeyman
When asked to name the greatest female gospel singers from last century, the likes of Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Mahalia Jackson naturally trip off the tongue. However, by digging a little deeper, a whole host of other less celebrated but just as worthy names can be discovered. One such example is Edna Gallmon Cooke who, from 1949 to her untimely death in 1967, had a prolific recording career for labels like De Luxe, Regal and Nashboro. The folks at Acrobat Records have lovingly put together a 49-song anthology of Cooke's output from 1949 to 1962 which covers as much ground as possible within its two discs. Cooke was often regarded as the Billie Holiday of gospel music on account of her characteristic voice that could be both powerful and tender and this collection showcases the skill and range that Madame Edna had at her disposal. A variety of live, church service and studio recordings are featured with Cooke mostly backed by a male vocal group - in some cases the Radio Four - which succeeds in further pushing her voice to the forefront whilst giving a fuller sound to each song. Refreshingly, Cooke chose to stay away from the familiar spirituals of the day in favour of more unusual pieces such as "Stop Gambler" which reimagines the Roman soldiers at the foot of the cross as card players contesting for Jesus' clothes whilst the remarkable "My Journey Home" sees the battle between God and Satan as a baseball game - part preached and part sung by Cooke with complete and utter conviction. The inlay booklet includes an informative biography written by journalist Paul Watts which crowns a hugely worthwhile release that is a must for all vintage gospel music fans.
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