This was a documentary on the history of American Gospel music with clips of some of the greats from the early years of the 1930s and also those, later, like Mahalia Jackson. I havent seen it yet but Im sure I will enjoy it because the Barrett Sisters are featured in it and they are my favorite. Documentary about the American gospel music scene, focusing on two of the movement's pioneering forces, Thomas A. Dorsey and Willie May Ford Smith. In 1933, Dorsey directed a 600-person chorus at the second meeting of the NCGCC, now boasting 3,500 members in 24 states. Recommended as an antidote to the blahs. But he never smiles, rarely relaxes, and when he talks it's with a brooding vigilance bordering on surliness. His appearance with another great gospel singer, Willie Mae Ford Smith, in the documentary Say Amen Somebody also afforded him considerable exposure. Dorsey served as the music director at Chicago's Pilgrim Baptist Church for 50 years, introducing musical improvisation and encouraging personal elements of participation such as clapping, stomping, and shouting in churches when these were widely condemned as unrefined and common. The adjustment for the entire family was difficult, culminating in Thomas being isolated, held back at school, and eventually dropping out after the fourth grade when he was twelve years old. The tune he wrote, Take My Hand, Precious Lord, came, he says, direct from God. Thomas A Dorsey was truely one of pop-music cultural best kept secrets. "Ministers didn't want them there. Documentary performer: "Opus One" - as Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra: Cold Case: 2006: TV Series 1 episode: Anytown, USA: 2005: Documentary performer . Nothing worked. Thomas A. Dorsey was one of the gospel pioneers profiled in George Nierenberg's Say Amen, Somebody. [48] In 1936, members of Dorsey's junior choir became the Roberta Martin Singers, a successful recording group which set the standard for gospel ensembles, both for groups and individual voice roles within vocal groups. And I think the choir meant so much to those people because for a few hours on Sunday, they were royalty. She says another thing that sets the film apart is its focus on female performers; Nierenberg says the women faced opposition from both the Church and their families, "They were bucking the system when it came to performing their music in churches," he says. Thankfully enough folks saw the light. In 1931, Dorsey experienced great personal tragedy again: the death in childbirth of both his wife and newborn son devastated him. ), The song is attributed to Dorsey; the melody is influenced by "Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone?" They pray for their ancestors and seek to heal the country's wounds of slavery through prayer vigils at historical slave sites. Nierenberg's other main character was Mother Willie Mae Ford Smith, one of gospel's pioneering female ministers and performers, and a mentor to younger singers. Latest Movies and TV Shows With Thomas A. Dorsey - IMDb (Poe, Janita, "Thomas A Dorsey, Gospel Pioneer". Moreover, Dorsey refused to provide musical notation, or use it while directing, because he felt the music was only to be used as a guide, not strictly followed. In a purely musical sense, to Dorsey, the blues was merely a collection of improvisational techniques. Thomas Andrew Dorsey, Thomas Andrew Dorsey (1900-1993), often called the Father of Gospel Music, migrated from Atlanta to Chicago as a young man, thus exemplifying the exp African Music, Gospel Music Gospel Music The African-American religious music known as gospel, originating in the field hollers, slave songs, spirituals, and Protes W C Handy, Handy, W. C. W. C. Handy Singer, composer . Thomas Markle says he refuses to be 'buried' by daughter Meghan He was his sons' first teacher. Labowskie, Mark, ". Villa Rica's rural location allowed Dorsey to hear slave spirituals, and "moaning" a style of singing marked by elongated notes and embellishments widespread among Southern black people alongside the Protestant hymns his father favored. Less than a year later, however, Dorsey was back in the secular blues business full-time. In time, they discover that the true wounds lie within themselves. [53][54] Though he never returned to his hometown, efforts to honor Dorsey in Villa Rica, Georgia, began a week after his death. The Dorsey brothers' father, Thomas Dorsey, Sr., was a cornet-playing coal miner who also led the Shenandoah town band and gave music lessons on the side. The first generation of gospel singers in the 20th century worked or trained with Dorsey: Sallie Martin, Mahalia Jackson, Roberta Martin, and James Cleveland, among others. The narrow focus of this doc lets us really dive into the world and upturn the furniture rather that only tread upon the surface of the genre and its leaders. His first gospel song, "If You See my Savior Tell Him That You Saw Me" was published in 1932. There he first saw Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith. Then there were the new hymns of the 1800's. Music publisher. Learn more. [49] In Dorsey's wake, R&B artists Dinah Washington, who was a member of the Sallie Martin Singers, Sam Cooke, originally in the gospel band the Soul Stirrers, Ray Charles, Little Richard, James Brown, and the Coasters recorded both R&B and gospel songs, moving effortlessly between the two, as Dorsey did, and bringing elements of gospel to mainstream audiences. Thomas A. Dorsey was one of the gospel pioneers profiled in George Nierenberg's Say Amen, Somebody.The documentary was originally released in 1982, and has been remastered and re-released. (For more of Thomas A. Dorsey's work, see also "Precious Lord: New Recordings of the Great Gospel Songs of Thomas A. Dorsey," added to the National Registry in 2002.) It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness. In the film, he tells the story of how the death of his wife and their newborn child led him to church music. Black gospel choirs were asked to perform at several white churches in Chicago. Peter Levinson tells Linda Wertheimer about his biography. [10][12], Dorsey tried to market his new sacred music by printing thousands of copies of his songs to sell directly to churches and publishers, even going door to door, but he was ultimately unsuccessful. I first encountered it as an LP from the documentary and have enjoyed it ever since. Thomas Andrew Dorsey (July 1, 1899 January 23, 1993) was an American musician, composer, and Christian evangelist influential in the development of early blues and 20th-century gospel music. Similarly, the NCGCC in 1933 is described by Dorsey biographer Michael W. Harris as "a women's movement" as nine of the thirteen presiding officer positions were held by women. Extremely entertaining documentary that takes a look at religious music as we get to meet two key people. Thomas A. Dorsey 1997 Share Widely regarded as the father of gospel music, Thomas A. Dorsey's composing talent became a merging point in the early '20s, for many musical styles. It was not long before he penned his first gospel blues, "If You See My Savior, Tell Him That You Saw Me," which was inspired by the death of a friend. Really curious what happened to the speaking-in-tongues charismatic preacher who tried to guilt his wife into staying home with him instead of going on tour, the closest thing to a villain here. hide caption. His song "Peace in the Valley", written in 1937 originally for Mahalia Jackson, was recorded by, among others, Red Foley in 1951, and Elvis Presley in 1957, selling more than a million copies each. SAY AMEN, SOMEBODY is without question one of the greatest documentaries that you're going to see when it comes to gospel music. [46][i], Due to Dorsey's influence, the definition of gospel music shifted away from sacred song compositions to religious music that causes a physical release of pain and suffering, particularly in black churches. hide caption. India's Economy Moving Into Low Inflation Regime, RBI Paper Says Yoruba originated in West Africa and pre-dates Christianity. Thomas A. Dorsey, who wrote scores of gospel classics, including "Take My Hand, Precious Lord" and "Peace in the Valley," and Willie Mae Ford Smith, whose dynamic "song and sermon" approach to gospel set an almost impossible to duplicate performance standard. Never was released on dvd, only tape way back when. During the early 1930s, Thomas Dorsey created gospel music -- the African American religious music which married secular blues to a sacred text. [20] He also mentored many young musicians, including training a teenage Mahalia Jackson when she first arrived in Chicago, although he said she did not entirely accept his instruction: "She said I was trying to make a stereotyped singer out of her. Documentary about the American gospel music scene, focusing on two of the movement's pioneering forces, Thomas A. Dorsey and Willie May Ford Smith.Documentary about the American gospel music scene, focusing on two of the movement's pioneering forces, Thomas A. Dorsey and Willie May Ford Smith.Documentary about the American gospel music scene, focusing on two of the movement's pioneering forces, Thomas A. Dorsey and Willie May Ford Smith. [28] Ministers who would not have considered changing their music programs just a few years before became more open to new ideas. SERIES CREDITS, "There is a River" explores the evolution of African-American religious thought, from the beliefs and rituals Africans brought to America to the influence of Christian teachings imposed on slaves in the new world. I love this DVD it is full of history and over the top singing. Selected writings. He recalled visiting Damascus, Syria, where he was approached in a bathroom by a man who recognized his name. No cable. He gained fame accompanying blues belter Ma Rainey on tour and, billed as "Georgia Tom", joined with guitarist Tampa Red in a successful recording career. He was demoted a grade and ostracized by the other children. Upon hearing Nix sing, Dorsey was overcome, later recalling that his "heart was inspired to become a great singer and worker in the Kingdom of the Lordand impress people just as this great singer did that Sunday morning". His association with musicians there encouraged him to practice at home on his mother's organ, and by age 12, he claimed that he could play the piano very well. The first was Thomas A. Dorsey, known as the father of gospel music. She also helped him with his publishing business, which quickly became so successful that people nationwide called any piece of gospel sheet music a "Dorsey.". Patty Thomas - Wikipedia Gospel music did not start with Dorsey. 1932 was also the year he formed the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses with blues singer Sallie Martin. Atlanta ' s " Barrel House Tom ". '"[35][g], He remarried in 1941 to Katheryn Mosley. With church no longer the focal point of his parents' lives, his connection to organized religion waned. '"[27], When he gave interviews later in his life, he never condemned blues music or his experiences in that period. Furthermore, when Thomas' father traveled to preach at other churches, Thomas and his mother attended a church that practiced shape note singing; their harmonizing in particular making a deep impression on him. The documentary was originally released in 1982, and has been remastered and re-released. [38], Gospel historian Horace Boyer writes that gospel music "has no more imposing figure" than Dorsey, and the Cambridge Companion to Blues and Gospel Music states that he "defined" the genre. India's economy is likely moving into a low inflation regime as supply shocks fade and demand cools, according to a paper co-authored by Reserve Bank of India Deputy . Easily one of the best music documentaries I have ever seen, this film could have coasted on the charisma and brilliance of its subjects, primarily Willie Mae Ford Smith and Thomas A. Dorsey, seminal figures in the history of Black gospel music. In 1925, he married Nettie Harper, who Rainey hired as a wardrobe mistress despite her inexperience, so she could join Dorsey on tour. Dorsey described to his biographer, Michael Harris, how Haley pulled a "live serpent" out of his throat. As Dorsey is remembered as the father of gospel music, other honorifics came from his choirs: Sallie Martin, considered the mother of gospel (although Willie Mae Ford Smith, also a Dorsey associate, has also been called this), Mahalia Jackson, the queen of gospel, and James Cleveland, often named the king of gospel. Documentary clip on Thomas Dorsey 26,519 views Oct 6, 2014 405 Dislike Share Save mattsak12 860 subscribers taken from "The Story of Gospel Music" Show more 2015 NHD Thomas A Dorsey. Dorsey, Thomas 1899-1993 | Encyclopedia.com Robert F. Darden is an Associate Professor of Journalism, Public Relations . Thomas A. Dorsey Net Worth Copyright 2003 The Faith Project, Inc. All rights reserved. In fact it won't go anywhere. Dorsey found refuge in downtown Atlanta's black community. [5][7], Two of his secular songs were recorded by Monette Moore and another by Joe "King" Oliver, ensuring Dorsey a place as one of Chicago's top blues composers. Thomas Dorsey : NPR did they follow in his foot steps? He wrote over 400 compositions, but it is for Take My Hand, Precious Lord that he is best known. It charts the devbelopment of underground churches, and attempts by slaves and free blacks to unify the black community. Cecil Williams and Thomas A. Dorsey, born a generation apart, both seeking to bring the reality of the streets into the church. Obliging, Dorsey began, but the multinational group took over: "And they knew it in Damascus, too. By far the best documentary Ive seen! Film Critic Roger Ebert listed this as the 8th best film of 1983. Dorsey, Thomas A. | Encyclopedia.com Thomas A. Dorsey, Barrett Sisters, Mother Willie Mae Ford Smith, O'Neal Twins, Nierenberg, George T., Zella Jackson Price, Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2023. For women, that included not wearing make-up. But he lives on each Sunday as voices rise in praise, singing the gospel across the land. He visited a faith healer, Bishop H.H. Ma Rainey's listeners swayed, rocked, moaned and groaned with her. Soon he began selling concessions there, and aspiring to join the theater band, honed his musical skills on his family's organ and a relative's piano, picking out melodies that he had heard and practicing long hours. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we dont use a simple average. As Dorsey related in The Rise of Gospel Blues: "My inner-being was thrilled. The only thing he cared about was saving souls through his music. He experienced a spiritual re-invigoration of sorts in 1928. eval(decodeURIComponent('%64%6f%63%75%6d%65%6e%74%2e%77%72%69%74%65%28%27%3c%61%20%68%72%65%66%3d%5c%22%6d%61%69%6c%74%6f%3a%73%68%61%6e%69%63%65%20%26%6c%74%3b%6d%69%7a%7a%63%68%65%72%72%79%31%32%39%40%61%6f%6c%2e%63%6f%6d%26%67%74%3b%5c%22%3e%73%68%61%6e%69%63%65%3c%5c%2f%61%3e%27%29%3b')), Copyright 2023 Net Industries - All Rights Reserved, Additional information for this profile was obtained from the documentary. It is very moving and heart lifting documentary, Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2022. Men groaned who had given their week's pay to a woman who betrayed her promises. But it hasn't been seen in theaters in nearly 30 years. As George T. Nierenberg guides us through its relatively brief history, we come to see that. [39] Anthony Heilbut further explains that "the gospel of [Charles] Tindley and Dorsey talks directly to the poor. Check out Charles Pike in the extras. The "comma somebody" in the title indicates a sense of desperation, much like Jeb Bush's "Please clap," or the kid in class acting out in search of a love they cannot fathom. He is a truly mesmerizing figure, the stuff of which legends are made. eval(decodeURIComponent('%64%6f%63%75%6d%65%6e%74%2e%77%72%69%74%65%28%27%3c%61%20%68%72%65%66%3d%5c%22%6d%61%69%6c%74%6f%3a%41%6c%76%69%6e%20%4c%65%77%69%73%20%20%26%6c%74%3b%61%6c%76%61%6c%69%76%65%33%31%36%40%79%61%68%6f%6f%2e%63%6f%6d%26%67%74%3b%5c%22%3e%41%6c%76%69%6e%20%4c%65%77%69%73%20%3c%5c%2f%61%3e%27%29%3b')). According to Dorsey, she asked him to coach her, and for two months they worked together on technique and repertoire. Lyrically, according to Boyer, Dorsey was "skilled at writing songs that not only captured the hopes, fears, and aspirations of the poor and disenfranchised African Americans but also spoke to all people". There the family struggled economically. Using rare historic recordings and contemporary performances, "The Birth of Gospel" explores the growth of gospel music from slavery to now. There, Dorsey remained active until the 1970s, when failing health forced him into semi-retirement. So many people have sent emails about "Precious Lord, Take my Hand" thinking that the big band leader Tommy Dorsey was the author, tht I have sent this biography to those in response. Dorsey was the son of a Baptist preacher; his mother was the church organist. [52] Four years later, Aretha Franklin sang it at Jackson's funeral. From then on, Dorsey vowed to do the Lord's work. 2015 NHD Thomas A Dorsey Documentary - by Adero Brooks RicardoBDC 23 subscribers Subscribe 6K views 7 years ago "Make A Joyful Noise" is the 2015 - 1st place winning documentary entered into. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of serviceapply. "He is understanding the dynamics at play and he has a sensitivity to the story and the people truly to the people and respects them. ), McLin became a composer, singer, and voice coach for, Numerous sources state Dorsey coined the term "gospel" to refer to sacred music, but W. M. Nix, the singer who inspired Dorsey at the 1921 National Baptist Convention, compiled a songbook titled, NCGCC annual meetings were also attended by members of the, Dorsey later stated that all the praise he received for this song never eclipsed his grief, saying, "None of it's ever been soothing to me, from that day to this day." It is perhaps Dorsey's greatest achievement that he was able to overcome this opposition and thus preserve important aspects of black musical expression as it had existed in both the spiritual and secular realms. Director George T. Nierenberg Stars Willie Mae Ford Smith Smith Thomas A. Dorsey Sallie Martin See production, box office & company info Search on Amazon search for Blu-ray and DVD Add to Watchlist Harris even linked the blues soloist to the preacher, as each embodies the yearning of a people and manifests that yearning principally through improvisation. January 17, 2000 Sung at the funeral of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., it is the most-recorded gospel song ever. The documentary was originally released in 1982, and has been remastered and re-released.. Mahalia Jackson sang at his funeral when King did not get to hear it. Available as a boxed vhs set or as a DVD for $199.95. Try it free. He considered suicide. This Far by Faith: African-American Spiritual Journeys is a co-production of Blackside Inc. (Eyes on the Prize, Americas War on Poverty, and Malcolm X: Make it Plain) and The Faith Project, Inc. in association with the Independent Television Service. 209240. Amazon.com: Say Amen, Somebody : Thomas A. Dorsey, Mother Willie Mae He demanded that members attend practice regularly and that they should live their lives by the same standards promoted in their songs. . Thomas Dorsey and Mother Willie Mae Ford Smith Remove Ads Cast Crew Details Genres Cast Thomas Dorsey Willie Mae Ford Smith 100 mins More at IMDb TMDb Sign in to log, rate or review Share Ratings 1 fan 3.9 I miss her everyday. In 1983 he was featured in the documentary "Say Amen, Somebody." He died of Alzheimer's disease in 1993 after spending the last year of his life in a coma. [57], List of people considered a founder in a Humanities field, This article is about the pianist, and composer of jazz, blues, and gospel.
Husqvarna Zero Turn Hitch Kit,
Bosquejos De Sermones Sobre La Esperanza,
351 Winchester Vs 30 Carbine,
Cynthia Thomas Obituary,
Articles T