Piece Comment

Review of In the Spirit


IN THE SPIRIT captured MY SPIRIT. This is a well-produced, smart one-hour that gives voice to the history of gospel music.

It?s built on an impressive mix of recordings. Here?s just one example, a 1913 recording of The Fiske Jubilees doing ?Roll Jordan Roll.? How?d the producers dig that one up?

The program also excels when it pairs these historic recordings -- sometimes with contemporary ones -- to illustrate aspects of gospel?s history. Following the Fiske Jubilees? song mentioned above is a contemporary ?If We Ever Needed The Lord Before? by Take 6. No need for narration to comment on the vitality and continuity of the spiritual;we hear it.

Host Jerry Zolten worked in the studios with many of gospel?s most important performers. I?m assuming some of the fabulous music we hear is due to his guidance and archives. Regardless, Zolten?s a great choice to host. He lends an authoritative air to this community history without being overbearing. The narration is perfectly underwritten --- giving just enough context to move our understanding of gospel music along.

Finally, the show includes a number of interviews, the majority in the second half of the show, when the music has us hooked. A modern clip from bass Issac Freeman of the Fairfield Four punctuates the memories of Toby Young , a gospel DJ also interviewed for the piece. We hear from Thomas A. Dorsey, said to have coined the word ?gospel,? on his how he went from blues to religious singer. Critic Horace Boyer builds out the story and we see how modern gospel came to be. Kudos to the producers for giving these voices and others a forum.

Lots more to say ? but the bottom line is this: program the show for Fourth of July, Labor Day, or another American holiday. IN THE SPIRIT is accessible and engaging. Its mood is perfect and its lode of American history is ideal.

Anthea Raymond
Former PRX Editorial Board Member
Los Angeles
May 23, 2007