Say Amen, Somebody (1982) - IMDb And Dorsey's own Pilgrim Baptist Church choir performed at the 1933 World's Fair. As he said in The Rise of Gospel Blues: "If a woman has lost a man, a man has lost a woman, his feeling reacts to the blues; he feels like expressing it. Although Dorsey claimed to have been thrown out of some of the best churches, Harris observed that the time was right for Dorsey's eventual success; there were increasing numbers of store-front churches that appealed to southern migrants, and there was a booming trade in recorded sermons of the type Dorsey's father might have delivered. He remained in contact with his friends and fellow blues musicians, saying, "I'm not ashamed of my blues. Dorsey, Thomas A. | Encyclopedia.com [52] Four years later, Aretha Franklin sang it at Jackson's funeral. Thomas A. Dorsey continue to be a giant in gospel music, and after his death his music is still alive and well. He penned 3,000 songs, a third of them gospel, including "Take My Hand, Precious Lord" and "Peace in the Valley". Van Matre, Lynn, "Praises To Be For 'Father of Gospel'". Encountering more competition for jobs and with his concentration primarily on blues, Dorsey turned to composing, copyrighting his first song in 1920, titled "If You Don't Believe I'm Leaving, You Can Count the Days I'm Gone". When the pastor at Pilgrim Baptist, Chicago's second largest black church, saw the way it moved the congregation, he hired Dorsey as music director, allowing him to dedicate all his time to gospel music. This Far by Faith . Thomas Dorsey | PBS Check out Charles Pike in the extras. It charts the devbelopment of underground churches, and attempts by slaves and free blacks to unify the black community. 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%4d%69%6b%65%20%57%68%69%74%66%69%65%6c%64%20%26%6c%74%3b%64%75%6c%63%69%6d%65%72%64%75%64%65%40%79%61%68%6f%6f%2e%63%6f%6d%26%67%74%3b%5c%22%3e%4d%69%6b%65%20%57%68%69%74%66%69%65%6c%64%3c%5c%2f%61%3e%27%29%3b')). His uncle was also a musician, a traveling guitarist concentrating on country blues while it was in its infancy. After his recovery three years later, Dorsey committed himself to composing sacred music. Lornell, Kip, "Dorsey, Thomas (18991993) Blues and Gospel Musician and Composer". His emphasis on a black nationalist philosophy alienated him from the mainstream, but led to a greater role for the black church in African-American culture. He convalesced back home in Atlanta. While often living hand-to-mouth, the Dorseys were able to own an organ, which was rare for black families, and Dorsey's mother played during his father's church services. Dorsey, who was born in Villa Rica, Georgia, was the music director at Pilgrim Baptist Church in Chicago from 1932 until the late 1970s. 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. Made by fans in Aotearoa New Zealand. Cecil Williams and Thomas A. Dorsey, born a generation apart, both seeking to bring the reality of the streets into the church. At twenty-one, his hectic and unhealthy schedule led to a nervous breakdown. ABOUT THE EPISODE, God Is a Negro takes place after Emancipation, as the minister and journalist Henry McNeal Turner uses the black church to engage newly freed blacks in the political realm. Born in 1899 in Villa Rica, GA; died of Alzheimer's disease, January 23, 1993, in Chicago, IL; son of a minister and church organist/pianist; married Nettie Harper, 1925 (died, 1931); married Kathryn Mosely, 1941; children: a daughter and a son. Deemed the " father of gospel music, " Thomas Dorsey emerged, during the early 1930s, as the creator of an African American religious music style known as the gospel blues an idiom . Then there were the new hymns of the 1800's. People are responding to these singers because it feels good! Now at the center of gospel music activity in Chicago, Dorsey countered his bereavement by immersing himself in marketing his songs. [5], Dorsey seemed ambivalent about writing church music until 1921 when he was inspired by W. M. Nix's rendition of "I Do, Don't You? Men groaned who had given their week's pay to a woman who betrayed her promises. Dorsey described it as "good news on either side." In the film, he tells the story of how the death of his wife and their newborn child led him to church music. [3], The Dorseys moved to Atlanta to find better opportunities when Thomas was eight years old. Then, he began to think more seriously about his faith. The documentary was originally released in 1982, and has been remastered and re-released. He was known as the whispering piano player, called to perform at after-hours parties where the pianist had to play quietly enough to avoid drawing police attention. Young Thomas Dorsey describes feeling alienated from school and church during his first years in Atlanta. Dorsey described it as serving as a channel through which God spoke. I grew up going to countless churches when I was younger and it was always something special to walk into a black church and feel the power that was behind the walls. In 1925, he married Nettie Harper, who Rainey hired as a wardrobe mistress despite her inexperience, so she could join Dorsey on tour. At the beginning of worship services, Dorsey instructed choruses to march from the rear of the sanctuary to the choir-loft in a specific way, singing all the while. Haley. As George T. Nierenberg guides us through its relatively brief history, we come to see that. In a purely musical sense, to Dorsey, the blues was merely a collection of improvisational techniques. We long for it, and when it comes to us it is directly from our heavenly Father. IMDb Nierenberg's documentary catches these performers in their homes and at two events: the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses and a tribute to Mother Willie Mae Ford Smith that Nierenberg helped put together. Ma Rainey's Pianist Thomas Dorsey "Say Amen, Somebody" (1982) Robert F. Darden is an Associate Professor of Journalism, Public Relations . 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 Duchess of Sussex's father, 78, claimed in the Australian news programme 7News Spotlight that his daughter had not called him in four years.. He is a truly mesmerizing figure, the stuff of which legends are made. Thomas Markle says he refuses to be 'buried' by daughter Meghan Documentaries really don't get much better than this. Unable to add item to List. By 1920, Dorsey was prospering, but the demanding schedule of playing at night, working at other jobs during the day, and studying in between led him to the first of two nervous breakdowns; he was so ill that his mother had to go to Chicago to bring him back to Atlanta. Documentary about the American gospel music scene, focusing on two of the movement's pioneering forces, Thomas A. Dorsey and Willie May Ford Smith. Aside from the lyrics, he saw no real distinction between blues and church music, and viewed songs as a supplement to spoken word preaching. Courtesy Milestone Films 1982 Through their work, Dorsey & Williams create new expressions of faith. [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. In 1923, he became the pianist and leader of the Wild Cats Jazz Band accompanying Gertrude "Ma" Rainey, a charismatic and bawdy blues shouter who sang about lost love and hard times. From God, for God and His People: "Peace in the Valley" [28] Ministers who would not have considered changing their music programs just a few years before became more open to new ideas. Using rare historic recordings and contemporary performances, "The Birth of Gospel" explores the growth of gospel music from slavery to now. Amazon.com: Say Amen, Somebody : Thomas A. Dorsey, Delois Barrett His sister-in-law convinced him to attend church, and, while at a service, he had a vision, after which he pledged to work for the Lord. Pastor Turner helped organize the Repubican Party in Georgia only to find himself denied access to societal institutions as discrimination reigned in the dark days following Reconstruction. 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". He became enthralled with them, and set out to learn as much about music (primarily the blues) as he could. Apparently, this is a common phrase for a preacher to employ when looking to foster agreement. Dorsey returned to Chicago in 1921, and his uncle encouraged him to attend the National Baptist Convention. Thomas Dorsey, Father of Gospel Music, Dies at 93 The only thing he cared about was saving souls through his music. He experienced a spiritual re-invigoration of sorts in 1928. Documentary about the American gospel music scene, focusing on two of the movement's pioneering forces, Thomas A. Dorsey and Willie May Ford Smith. This Far by Faith. ABOUT THE EPISODE, "Inheritors of the Faith" follows those who seek spiritual fulfillment outside of Christianity. More at The biggest hinderance to the next thing God wants to do is the last thing God did. "I asked him for any suggestions that he had for another topic for an interesting film, and he said these were his exact words he said, 'You oughta look into gospel music; those cats are really neat,' " Nierenberg remembers. Their collaboration would continue over the years as his fame spread, Martin often accompanying him on his tours around the country. Martin Luther King Jr.. For women, that included not wearing make-up. Thomas A. Dorsey Biography Born in 1899 in Villa Rica, GA; died of Alzheimer's disease, January 23, 1993, in Chicago, IL; son of a minister and church organist/pianist; married Nettie Harper, 1925 (died, 1931); married Kathryn Mosely, 1941; children: a daughter and a son. "He is coming in as a collaborator with them, as opposed to this notion or feeling of voyeurism," she says. Thomas Markle Sr has said he will not allow his daughter, Meghan Markle, to "bury" him while he is still alive.. You got to always have something: a little trick, a little embellishment or something. 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. In 1931, Dorsey experienced great personal tragedy again: the death in childbirth of both his wife and newborn son devastated him. Whether you are religious or not,this is an inspiring documentary about the power of faith. It featured syncopated notes in an eight-bar blues structure; but instead of themes of defiance in the face of despair - the theme most common in the blues - this new music told stories of hope and affirmation.
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