Gospel music
| Gospel music | |
| Stylistic origins |
Christian hymns,
Negro spirituals |
|---|---|
| Cultural origins |
First quarter of twentieth century: US
|
| Typical instruments | |
| Mainstream popularity | International |
| Derivative forms | Rhythm and Blues |
| Subgenres | |
| urban contemporary gospel, Southern gospel |
|
| Fusion genres | |
| Christian country music | |
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as (in terms of the varying music styles) to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music.
Like other forms of Christian music the creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of Gospel music varies according to culture and social context. Gospel music is composed and performed for many purposes, including aesthetic pleasure, religious or ceremonial purposes, and as an entertainment product for the marketplace. However, a common theme of most Gospel music is praise, worship or thanks to God, Christ, or the Holy Spirit.
Contents |
Style
Gospel music in general is characterized by dominant vocals (often with strong use of harmony) referencing lyrics of a religious nature, particularly Christian. Subgenres include contemporary Gospel, urban contemporary Gospel (sometimes referred to as "Black Gospel"), Southern Gospel, and modern Gospel music (now more commonly known as praise and worship music or Contemporary Christian music). Several forms of Gospel music utilize choirs, use piano and/or Hammond organ, drums, bass guitar and, increasingly, electric guitar.
History
Origins
Gospel music varies in style and flavour. Scholars have argued and some believe that gospel music first came out of African-American churches in the first quarter of the 20th century. Some believe that it was sung by predominately white Southern Gospel artists. This argument is based more on geography than fact. Seeing that black gospel was a form of communications between slaves while in Africa and white gospel was originated in its European form before even making it to American soil make the argument valid for both sides. The sharp division between black and white America, particularly black and white churches, have kept the two apart. While those divisions have lessened slightly in the past fifty years, the two traditions are still distinct.
Some performers, such as Mahalia Jackson have limited themselves to appearing in religious contexts only, while others, such as Sister Rosetta Tharpe a pioneer for black mainstream gospel, [1] the Golden Gate Quartet and Clara Ward, have performed gospel music in secular settings, even night clubs. Other performers, such as The Jordanaires, The Blackwood Brothers, Al Green, and Solomon Burke have also performed both secular and religious music.
Although predominantly an American phenomenon, gospel music has spread throughout the world including to Australia with choirs such as The Elementals and Jonah & The Whalers and festivals such as the Australian Gospel Music Festival. Norway is home to the popular Ansgar Gospel Choir, the only true Norwegian Gospel choir. Gospel is also popular in the province of Quebec, Canada, where important gospel choirs such as Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir and Québec Celebration Gospel Choir are famous.
Gospel music subgenres
| This article is a part in a series on Gospel music |
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Roots and Beginnings
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Genres and Subgenres
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Related Music Genres
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Associations and Groups
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Gospel Music Awards
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Related WikiProjects
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| Category • Musicians See also: Christianity: Portal • Category Christian music: Portal • Category |
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Urban contemporary gospel
Urban contemporary gospel (sometimes marketed as "Black gospel" to help distinguish it from other forms of Christian music, such as contemporary Christian music or Christian rock and Southern Gospel) is a subgenre of Gospel music.
Christian Country music
Christian country music, sometimes referred to as Country Gospel music, is a subgenre of gospel music with a country flair, is also known as Inspirational Country. Christian Country over the years has progressed into a mainstream country sound with inspirational or positive country lyrics. In the middle 90's, Christian Country hit its highest popularity. So much so that mainstream artists like Larry Gatlin, Charlie Daniels and Barbara Mandrell just to name a few, began recording music that had this positive Christian country flair. These mainstream artists have now become award winners in this genre.[2][3] In the late 90's Christian country declined in polularity because of misappropriations of funding within the Christian Country Music Association. The CCMA has over the years had many problems within its leadership. Many artists, record labels and radio stations were hurt during the 90's scandal and finally the Country Music Association sued the CCMA in 2002 for infringement.[4]
Southern Gospel
Southern gospel, is sometimes called "quartet music" by fans due to the original all male, tenor-lead-baritone-bass quartet make-up. this type of music deals with the everyday problems of life and how God answers those problems. Southern Gospel depends on strong harmonies, often with extremely wide ranges (i.e. extremely low bass, falsetto tenor.) Flavors in Southern Gospel range from ultra-traditional early quartet music (i.e. the Statesmen Quartet, circa 1940-50) to very cutting edge sounds (i.e. current Signature Sound quartet discography).
Progressive Southern Gospel
Progressive Southern Gospel is an American music genre that has grown out of Southern Gospel over the past couple of decades.
Bluegrass Gospel
Bluegrass Gospel music is rooted in American mountain music.
Gospel blues
Gospel blues is a blues-based form of Gospel music (a combination of blues guitar and evangelistic lyrics).
Further reading
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A selection of Gospel music collected |
- Blackwell, Lois. The Wings of a Dove: The Story of Gospel Music in America. Norfolk: Donning, 1978.
- Boyer, Horace Clarence, How Sweet the Sound: The Golden Age of Gospel Elliott and Clark, 1995, ISBN 0-252-06877-7.
- Broughton, Viv, Too Close To Heaven - The Illustrated History Of Gospel Music, Midnight Books, 1996, ISBN 1-900516-00-4
- Albert E Brumley & Sons, The Best of Albert E Brumley, Gospel Songs, 1966, ISBN na-paperback Amazing Grace
- Darden, Robert, People Get Ready: A New History of Black Gospel Music Continuum International Publishing Group, 2005, ISBN 0-8264-1752-3.
- Heilbut, Tony, The Gospel Sound: Good News and Bad Times Limelight Editions, 1997, ISBN 0-87910-034-6.
- McNeil, W. K., Ed. Encyclopedia of American Gospel Music. Routledge, 2005. ISBN 0415941792.
- Stevenson, Arthur L. The Story of Southern Hymnology. Roanoke, VA: Stone Printing and Manufacturing, 1931.
- Zolten, Jerry, Great God A' Mighty!:The Dixie Hummingbirds - Celebrating The Rise Of Soul Gospel Music, Oxford University Press, 2003, ISBN 0-19-515272-7.
Professional organizations
- Firebird Arts Alliance - Encourages all races and religions to join
- Gospel Music Association - Acknowledges all forms of Gospel Music
- Pacific Gospel Music Association - Known for Southern Gospel
- Southern Gospel Music Association - Known for Southern Gospel
- Gospel Wire - Primarily urban contemporary gospel
Media outlets
- Black Family Channel
- Bobby Jones Gospel
- Gospel Music Channel
- The Inspirational Network
- Christian Broadcasting Network
- Trinity Broadcasting Network
- Entertain Your Belief
- Christian Music Daily
See also
- List of gospel musicians
- Soul music
- Gospel music WikiProject
References
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