Reviewed by Tony Cummings

The Rough Guide series of world music albums has been going since 1994 and down the years have released such diverse items as 'Kenya & Tanzania', 'Zydeco' and 'Bollywood Disco'. In 2002 they issued 'Rough Guide To Gospel' (featuring Mahalia Jackson, The Soul Stirrers, The Caravans and others plus one or two obscurities). Now this fascinating compilation brings together 25 tracks by 25 artists originally released between 1926 and 1940. It is a useful introduction to both the "guitar evangelists" like Blind Willie Johnson, Rev Edward W Clayborn and Mother McCollum as well as blues singers and songsters like Blind Lemon Jefferson, Mississippi John Hurt and Barbecue Bob who included spirituals in their extensive repertoires. It's a fascinating glimpse into musical times gone by and the remastered sound gives us a chance to hear these tracks without the usual 78 hiss. Personally, I could have done without the Memphis Minnie and Bessie Smith tracks which are nearer to tongue-in-cheek caricatures of gospel than the real deal. But with a generous 25 tracks crammed onto this CD, their inclusion is a minor glitch and there's much music here that has lasted down the decades amazingly well.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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