Rev F W McGee - The Complete Recorded Works In Chronological Order Vol 2 1929-1930
STYLE: Gospel RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 21379-12046 LABEL: Document BDCD6032 FORMAT: CD Album ITEMS: 1 RRP: £9.99
Reviewed by Tony Cummings
This, the second of two volumes of all the known sermons released by the fiery Chicago preacher, still make fascinating listening today. Sometimes you wish that the song fragments with which the good reverend interspersed his messages could have gone a bit longer but his gritty preaching itself has its own musicality. As the sleevenote reads, "A close listen to McGee's preaching underlines the musical subtleties inherent in black speech. This is an aspect of black culture that white listeners have been slow to appreciate, even as a major form of black music achieves mass popularity in the guise of rap music. Like much of America's popular music rap has some of its deepest roots in the black church and Rev McGee's rich voice and musical style of preaching have a great deal to offer to an unbiased listener." The themes are fascinating too. "Women's Clothes (You Can't Hide)" is an amusing chastisement on the length of women's skirts; "Testifyin' Meeting" is an exciting celebration of new birth while "The Sure Route Excursion To Hell" is so packed with power and passion that it had to be released in two parts on a 78.
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