Mahalia Jackson was the link between 'Empress of the Blues' Bessie Smith and
'Queen of Soul' Aretha Franklin. Yet, she was not a Blueswoman, considering the
Blues to be 'songs of despair - Gospel songs are the songs of hope'. Jackson
took Gospel to the world, but would claim it was on her own terms. She didn't sing
the Blues, but helped put a beat into Gospel Music, bringing it nearer the
mainstream and making it attractive to a wider audience. Gathered on this album
are hymns and sacred songs; Joshua Fit The Battle Of Jericho, When The Saints
Go Marching In, Amazing Grace and Were You There? Her success resurrected
an interest in Gospel Music and Initiated what would become the 'Golden Age of
Gospel'. -