In Concert Easter Sunday, 1967 [Live] [Original recording remastered]

Track Listings

1. In My Home Over There

2. He Will Remember Me

3. He Was Alone

4. Out of the Depths

5. Thy Will Be Done

6. Were You There?

7. Holding My Savior's Hand

8. Calvary

9. There Is a Balm in Gilead

10. Come on Children, Let's Sing

11. Evening Prayer

12. It Don't Cost Very Much

13. If I Can Help Somebody

14. Lord, Don't Let Me Fail

15. Elijah Rock

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Maybe it was because she was born in New Orleans, the first city of jazz, that Mahalia Jackson brought so much ornamentation to the traditional gospel songbook, stretching her phrases with the grace of a horn and fracturing single syllables into many-noted chromatic melodies. Or maybe the profound vocal gift she was born with would have ensured her a place among the greatest singers in any style she chose. At any rate, her accomplishments in American spiritual music remain unequaled.

During the last 20 years of her life, when Jackson recorded for Columbia, her voice was the defining sound of gospel. She cut hundreds of songs during that period and became an inspirational figure in the civil rights movement, performing alongside Martin Luther King Jr. in Washington, D.C., singing at his funeral, championing black education, and running her own chain of restaurants. Now Columbia follows the fine Jackson box set Gospels, Spiritual & Hymns with three CDs that commemorate her 90th birthday.

In Concert Easter Sunday 1967 and Recorded Live in Europe During Her Latest Concert Tour are reissues with some additional tracks. The new Sunday Morning Prayer Meeting with Mahalia compiles studio and live cuts from 1955 to 1965. All three are good, yet only Live in Europe is essential. It captures Jackson at her peak in her most common setting, singing standards with only longtime piano accompanist Mildred Falls. Jackson runs her cool-water voice in torrents that spin anywhere she chooses. She improvises breathless whispers, soaring crescendos, and additional choruses and verses, and she ignores or stretches the rules of rhythm with her phrasing; she performs however the spirit moves her, which it did deeply and often in this clarion performance. Slightly more ornate orchestrations accompany Jackson for some of the Easter concert, but her performance is subdued, perhaps due to the heart trouble that sidelined her for the previous three years and eventually killed her in 1972. Although the compilation is an excellent sampler of Jackson in studio and on stage, its unreleased tracks--including a live "Elijah Rock," which also appears on the two other discs--add nothing to her already well-preserved legacy. --Ted Drozdowski --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Tracks:

In My Home Over There
He Will Remember Me
He Was Alone
Out Of The Depths
Thy Will Be Done
Were You There?
Holding My Savior's Hand
Calvary
There Is A Balm In Gilead
Come On Children, Let's Sing
An Evening Prayer
It Don't Cost Very Much
If I Can Help Somebody
Lord, Don't Let Me Fail
Elijah Rock

Amazon.com

Maybe it was because she was born in New Orleans, the first city of jazz, that Mahalia Jackson brought so much ornamentation to the traditional gospel songbook, stretching her phrases with the grace of a horn and fracturing single syllables into many-noted chromatic melodies. Or maybe the profound vocal gift she was born with would have ensured her a place among the greatest singers in any style she chose. At any rate, her accomplishments in American spiritual music remain unequaled.

During the last 20 years of her life, when Jackson recorded for Columbia, her voice was the defining sound of gospel. She cut hundreds of songs during that period and became an inspirational figure in the civil rights movement, performing alongside Martin Luther King Jr. in Washington, D.C., singing at his funeral, championing black education, and running her own chain of restaurants. Now Columbia follows the fine Jackson box set Gospels, Spiritual & Hymns with three CDs that commemorate her 90th birthday.

In Concert Easter Sunday 1967 and Recorded Live in Europe During Her Latest Concert Tour are reissues with some additional tracks. The new Sunday Morning Prayer Meeting with Mahalia compiles studio and live cuts from 1955 to 1965. All three are good, yet only Live in Europe is essential. It captures Jackson at her peak in her most common setting, singing standards with only longtime piano accompanist Mildred Falls. Jackson runs her cool-water voice in torrents that spin anywhere she chooses. She improvises breathless whispers, soaring crescendos, and additional choruses and verses, and she ignores or stretches the rules of rhythm with her phrasing; she performs however the spirit moves her, which it did deeply and often in this clarion performance. Slightly more ornate orchestrations accompany Jackson for some of the Easter concert, but her performance is subdued, perhaps due to the heart trouble that sidelined her for the previous three years and eventually killed her in 1972. Although the compilation is an excellent sampler of Jackson in studio and on stage, its unreleased tracks--including a live "Elijah Rock," which also appears on the two other discs--add nothing to her already well-preserved legacy. --Ted Drozdowski

Customer Reviews:

Mahalia Jackson: "A voice like hers comes along once in a millenium," Dr. MLK Jr........2007-01-17

This is one of the best musical and spiritual moments ever. Her 'weakened breathing' is not an issue, as Mr. Wright emphasizes in his review below; it is part of her human majesty in singing these pieces. This performance will remind you of what singing is for and why we're here in this world. I will note again what other reviewers have as well: Dr. King said of Mahalia Jackson, "A voice like hers comes along once in a millenium." Hearing this performance, you will know this for yourself. I've given this CD to two people. I've read several customer reviews of different Mahalia Jackson CDs and I agree with their high praise.

The Perfect Manipulation of an Extraordinary Gift.......2005-03-07

Any one who has listened to previous
Mahalia Jackson albums/songs will
immediately notice something different
about this particular performance. Upon
deeper examination of history, we learn
that Jackson had been in the throws of
illness for a time prior to this concert.
The result is a mellower, quiet performance.
However, do not be discouraged by this bit of
information, because the Easter Sunday Concert
album has to be not only one of Mahalia Jackson's
best albums, but also one of the best gospel albums
ever.

What makes this album so phenomenal is Jackson's
veteran vocal ability. From the very first note
she sings it's painfully obvious that she isn't at
100%. At times, she is breathy and sounds tired.
However, in the grand tradition of a seasoned vocal smith,
she manipulates her weakness and combines it with her
strength, and the result is an even stronger masterwork.
Mahalia Jackson's voice is unearthly, and therefore could
not be broken by illness or time. Though this is a "quieter"
performance, it is no less remarkable. This album
shows how Mahalia Jackson was a true vocal genius, in
her own right and in our hearts.

My personal favorite on this album is "He Will Remember Me,"
where she belts and swings to a bluesy arrangement of the song.
She sings much of this song in her upper register and it sounds delightful.
My other favorite is "Calvary," which is utterly spectacular.

Her range from lowest note to highest in this one song
could send many of today's pop stars running in
shame to get vocal lessons. Another notable selection
is "Elijah Rock," which a grand, one-woman showcase of the
spirit that defines the Sanctified Church. By the
end of the song, the participation of the audience
threatens to tumble the very walls of the Lincoln
Philharmonic Hall with enthusiastic hand-clapping
in syncopated 4/4 time.

This is a great album for Easter or any time of the year.
Any one who has loved previous works of Jackson
will not be disappointed with this CD.
It is an essential installment in her musical catalog
and a glowing testament of her unique vocal gift.

Like A Phoenix rising!.......2003-02-28

After suffering three years of severe health problems, enduring an ugly divorce battle and an enormous weight loss--maximum 260 down to 160--this great lady's spirit shone through more beautifully than ever. Her voice was transcendent in spite of the compromises to her fragile physical condition. I read in a biography of Mahalia that prior to this time she worried about ever singing much again. Thank God she found it within herself to continue her career. The vibrato was lovely and at times she let out the full power of that gorgeous contralto. At times her delivery was soft, subtle and mellow. The intrumental accompaniment was super with all the rhythms, drums,
organ, piano, tambourine, bass and guitar of the most sanctified church. I appreciate especially the "new releases" on here, which represent a return to her grand old standards.
I love her slow spirituals that leave you haunted. You never know what she will do with a song, but her sudden explosions of emotion and power leave me wondering at the greatness of her God. She can swing like no one else. But most of all, Mahalia came back "bigtime" in this. It felt like Easter all over. Like Garland at Carnegie 1961, Mahalia Jackson took on elegant Philharmonic Hall and left behind a wonderful piece of artwork for all people everywhere . . . she still has a universal appeal. Enjoy this album in the context of Mahalia at that time and place in her extraordinary life.

A GREAT GOSPEL CD.......2002-03-28

It is wonderful to know that they still have Mahalia Jackson's recordings in a Vault somewhere. When are they going to release the other recordings. I can't wait!!!! The song on this recording called "Lord don't let me fail" is a great hit!!! You can almost see yourself in a live concert with the Queen of Gospel music. Mahalia is still the Queen of Gospel on this CD. I can't hardly believe that she has been gone from this earth for almost 30 years. It seems like yesterday that Mahalia was singing over the radio or TV. Again, I would like to thank the record companies for releasing this great music collection of a fantastic singer. There are no words to describe the feelings and excitement that Mahalia brings to this Gospel tradition. She can sing anything. The song "Lord don't let me fail" brings out the Mahalia swing like no other song. I recommend this music very highly!!!!!

Greatest Gospel Singer of the 20th Century.......2001-12-12

I remember as a kid listening to this woman sing on Sunday mornings before my mom packed us all off to church. To listen to this voice some 35 years later I still feel the same as I did then. All us would love to here Mahalia sing "Elijah Rock" and get in trouble because you were not to dance to the Lord's music. Although while listening to this intently I do hear the shortness of breath but it does not matter. This woman has a voice like honey & butter. For all you hip-hop gospel artists take note. This is what real Gospel is suppose to be. The closets we have to Mahalia Jackson in modern day is "Cissy Houston". I love this entire CD from beginning to end. I now start my day off with Mahalia followed by Cissy. I remember seeing Mahalia with Aretha Frankling & Duke Ellington and all tho' she was not in the best of health when she sang it was if her illness disappeared for that short moment. I miss her greatly!!! If you want true Traditional Gospel get this CD and get Cissy as well you will not disappointed.

Music Review:

Music Review

Music Review

1. In My Home Over There
2. He Will Remember Me
3. He Was Alone
4. Out of the Depths
5. Thy Will Be Done
6. Were You There?
7. Holding My Savior's Hand
8. Calvary
9. There Is a Balm in Gilead
10. Come on Children, Let's Sing
11. Evening Prayer
12. It Don't Cost Very Much
13. If I Can Help Somebody
14. Lord, Don't Let Me Fail
15. Elijah Rock