Mahalia Jackson remembered in new compilation

A COMPILATION of recordings gospel matriarch Mahalia Jackson made for Columbia Records between 1954 and 1963 has been released by Superbird/Cherry Red. 'The Essence Of Mahalia Jackson' features, amongst other tracks, studio versions of "Didn't It Rain" and "My God Is Real", the songs sung by Jackson at the historic Newport Jazz Festival in 1958. Record Collector magazine enthused about the collection, their review reading, "People routinely talk of recordings being spiritual and uplifting; this collection would make even the most hardline atheist have a moment of doubt."