Integrale Mahalia Jackson, Vol. 3: 1950-1952

Personnel: Southern Harmonaires (vocals); Alden Bunn, Eugene Mumford, Thermon Ruth (tenor); Raymond Barnes (baritone); David McNeil (bass voice); Mildred Falls (piano); Herbert J. Francis, Louise Overall, Kenneth S. Morris (organ).
Liner Note Author: Jean Buzelin.
Recording information: New York, NY (10/17/1950-03/21/1952).
Translator: Joyce Waterhouse.
Unknown Contributor Roles: John Meyers; Lucie E. Campbell.
Arrangers: Mahalia Jackson; B. Smith.
This third of four volumes is dedicated to Mahalia Jackson's live performances at the Apollo in Harlem. The producers single out -- and rightly so -- Jackson's performance of "In the Upper Room," from 1952, which wed gospel, soul, blues and doo-wop in a single tune as the showcase of this set. It is a place where seams disappear and gospel music reaches out of the church and into the secular world without being in the least bit secular! But throughout this collection, with its excellent sound and nearly earthshaking performances, it becomes clear that Jackson knew she had an audience outside of gospel world. She sang to them and for them but changed her material not one bit. The band on these sides burns as well. ~ Thom Jurek