Initially shunned by a number of African American churches for her ‘experiment’ with secular music, Rosetta Tharpe initially struggled to regain her musical footing in the world of sanctified sacred music. Never wavering, she defended her onus to mix both genres on the international stage. I’ve watched Tharpe on various videos (Youtube) and each time I marvel at her ability to negotiate her ax masterfully.
Tharpe’s sound, admired by a number of guitar legends reveals why she holds the distinquished title of ‘godmother of rock ‘n’ roll. Her album “The Gospel of The Blues”, MCA Records, 2003 re-release, exposes the profound characteristics of two targeted, yet opposing applications of what is really just one style – the blues, though one is sacred while the other is definitively secular. Whether you’re a fan or historian of rock, blues, women in music and/or gospel, this CD is thrilling, informative and entertaining.
To read and hear more about Sister Rosetta Tharpe visit Higher Ground’s “The Odyssey Series” on the Hg homepage.
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Hear more of Tharpe’s music on the #1061 edition of Hg.
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