I havent seen it yet but Im sure I will enjoy it because the Barrett Sisters are featured in it and they are my favorite. His "gospel music" met so much resistance from pastors who considered it "devil's music," that he found it easier to play the blues straight. In 1931, Dorsey experienced great personal tragedy again: the death in childbirth of both his wife and newborn son devastated him. Rainey interacted with her audiences, who were often so enthralled they stood up and shouted back at her while she sang. I'll never get out of this place alive. 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%41%6c%76%69%6e%20%4c%65%77%69%73%20%20%26%6c%74%3b%61%6c%76%61%6c%69%76%65%33%31%36%40%79%61%68%6f%6f%2e%63%6f%6d%26%67%74%3b%5c%22%3e%41%6c%76%69%6e%20%4c%65%77%69%73%20%3c%5c%2f%61%3e%27%29%3b')). According to Dorsey, she asked him to coach her, and for two months they worked together on technique and repertoire. There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. Thankfully enough folks saw the light. Robert F. Darden is an Associate Professor of Journalism, Public Relations . [10][12], Dorsey tried to market his new sacred music by printing thousands of copies of his songs to sell directly to churches and publishers, even going door to door, but he was ultimately unsuccessful. He penned 3,000 songs, a third of them gospel, including "Take My Hand, Precious Lord" and "Peace in the Valley". It just makes you feel like you want to you hear me say I want to fly away somewhere? He began studying piano and organ. [26][27], Simultaneously, a shift in Chicago's black churches was taking place. Copyright 2003 The Faith Project, Inc. All rights reserved. (Marovich, p. For the big band trombonist and bandleader, see, Thomas Dorsey during his "Georgia Tom" blues period, late 1920s, Accounts of how many children the Dorseys had depend on the source. And they insisted; they pursued it nonetheless.". Then there were the new hymns of the 1800's. 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. Selected discography. From then on, Dorsey vowed to do the Lord's work. Composer, arranger, pianist. Courtesy Milestone Films I feel I've thoroughly blessed over the years with an abundance of songs and materialThere is definitely God behind this thing that I do. [25] Others took offense to such lively music overshadowing the minister's spoken word, or women delivering spiritual messages through song, taking the place of the preacher who was typically male. Glad i was able to get the remastered copy. The pressures of touring overwhelmed him, and Dorsey considered suicide. Thomas Dorsey | PBS During the early 1930s, Thomas Dorsey created gospel music -- the African American religious music which married secular blues to a sacred text. Selected writings. It was not long before he penned his first gospel blues, "If You See My Savior, Tell Him That You Saw Me," which was inspired by the death of a friend. A beat is a beat whatever it is. Chicago ' s Blues Syncopator. Many churches sought prestige in their musical offerings, which were often ornate and sophisticated liturgical compositions by classical European composers, such as Handel's Messiah (1742) and Mozart's Alleluia (1773). by George Allen. Folk was wipin' their eyes, and some cryin' and bawlin' on, and I told em, 'What is this happenin' here? The outcome of this is unknown other than the clinic stating they would no longer serve black patients. Mahalia Jackson sang at his funeral when King did not get to hear it. It goes beyond the series to explore the full diversity of African-American religious expression. Dorsey, one of five children, was born in Villa Rica, Georgia, but soon moved with his family to Atlanta. Ma Rainey's Pianist Thomas Dorsey "Say Amen, Somebody" (1982) - YouTube 0:00 / 1:30 Ma Rainey's Pianist Thomas Dorsey "Say Amen, Somebody" (1982) 3,888 views Feb 1, 2021 Thomas A.. That's not surprising, but it is surprising that the filmmakers exposed it as they did because it's quite unflattering. In Chicago, Dorsey adopted the name Georgia Tom and found work as a session musician. Dorsey found refuge in downtown Atlanta's black community. Under the name Georgia Tom he performed with blues artist Ma Rainey and her Wild Cats Jazz Band. A Moment with Thomas Dorsey, from the Movie Say Amen, Somebody - YouTube from The Movie, Say Amen Somebody from The Movie, Say Amen Somebody AboutPressCopyrightContact. They created enclaves within neighborhoods through church choirs, which doubled as social clubs, offering a sense of purpose and belonging. "You know, Frank, this has been my life dream to go abroad," Barrett says to her husband in one scene. Director: George T. Nierenberg | Stars: Willie May Ford Smith, Thomas A. Dorsey, Sallie Martin, Delois Barrett Campbell. [e] His grief prompted him to write one of his most famous and enduring compositions, "Take My Hand, Precious Lord". This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of serviceapply. 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. Services were thus altered in multiple ways to welcome the influx of migrants, for spiritual and pragmatic reasons: attracting and keeping new members helped reconcile many churches' debts. Throughout his early years he felt torn between the sacred and the secular. A new 4K restoration of Say Amen, Somebody opens at Film at Lincoln Center on Friday, September 5, featuring an a cappella gospel performance by Songs of Sol. In time, they discover that the true wounds lie within themselves. When Muhammad's son, Warith Deen, assumes leadership after his father's death, he transforms the organization to follow the practice of orthodox Islam (Louis X. Farrakhan resurrected the ideology of the old Nation of Islam in 1978). 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. The night Rainey opened at Chicago's largest black theater Dorsey is remembered as "the most exciting moment in my life". The narrow focus of this doc lets us really dive into the world and upturn the furniture rather that only tread upon the surface of the genre and its leaders. [2] Called the "Father of Gospel Music" and often credited with creating it, Dorsey more accurately spawned a movement that popularized gospel blues throughout black churches in the United States, which in turn influenced American music and parts of society at large. Thomas A. Dorsey(Actor), Delois Barrett Campbell(Actor), George T. Nierenberg(Director)& 0moreRated: Unrated Format: DVD 4.5 out of 5 stars129 ratings IMDb7.6/10.0 DVDfrom $18.00 VHS Tapefrom $39.99 Additional DVD options Edition Discs Price New from Used from DVDFebruary 3, 2001 After the death of a close friend, Dorsey was inspired to write his first religious song with a blues influence, "If You See My Savior, Tell Him That You Saw Me".[10][c]. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. Their collaboration would continue over the years as his fame spread, Martin often accompanying him on his tours around the country. "[2], Aside from his prodigious songwriting, Dorsey's influence in the gospel blues movement brought about change both for individuals in the black community and communities as a whole. Status is huge in this world. "I just tried to make my little talk to the Lord but it was wasted, I think," Dorsey tells the audience. The only thing he cared about was saving souls through his music. [55][56], As of 2020, the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses has 50 chapters around the world. You got to always have something: a little trick, a little embellishment or something. Dorsey's mother took work as a domestic servant; his father curtailed his pastoring and worked as a laborer. January 17, 2000 Sung at the funeral of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., it is the most-recorded gospel song ever. Courtesy Milestone Films 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%42%65%63%6b%79%20%26%6c%74%3b%61%6e%74%62%77%6f%6c%66%66%40%73%62%63%67%6c%6f%62%61%6c%2e%6e%65%74%26%67%74%3b%5c%22%3e%42%65%63%6b%79%3c%5c%2f%61%3e%27%29%3b')). Cecil Williams and Thomas A. Dorsey, born a generation apart, both seeking to bring the reality of the streets into the church. By far the best documentary Ive seen! Moreover, Dorsey refused to provide musical notation, or use it while directing, because he felt the music was only to be used as a guide, not strictly followed. [38], Gospel historian Horace Boyer writes that gospel music "has no more imposing figure" than Dorsey, and the Cambridge Companion to Blues and Gospel Music states that he "defined" the genre. Spirit of the Church: A Celebration of Black Gospel Music, Volume 1, Summer of Soul (Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) (Feature), The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song, American Masters: How It Feels To Be Free, Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations. Thomas Andrew Dorsey, Thomas Andrew Dorsey (1900-1993), often called the Father of Gospel Music, migrated from Atlanta to Chicago as a young man, thus exemplifying the exp African Music, Gospel Music Gospel Music The African-American religious music known as gospel, originating in the field hollers, slave songs, spirituals, and Protes W C Handy, Handy, W. C. W. C. Handy Singer, composer . He is a truly mesmerizing figure, the stuff of which legends are made. I realize the color barrier in the early days and say it's a shame folks couldn't understand him better.His music has helped me along in tough times and I appreciate all he has done in the world of gospel music. Doing the Lord's work, absolutely. Nierenberg, a 28-year-old Jewish man, knew almost nothing about gospel before he started Say Amen, Somebody; he spent a year in black churches in New York, Chicago and St. Louis, listening to the music, getting to know the performers and earning their trust before he began filming. It's all the same talent. +2.80 +3.45%. 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. The documentary was originally released in 1982, and has been remastered and re-released. TMDb Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations. Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them. At twenty-one, his hectic and unhealthy schedule led to a nervous breakdown. "When I saw the film after it was restored, it felt like a new film completely," he says. Say Amen, Somebody is one of my favorite music documentaries of all time. As the head of the NCGCC, he traveled the "gospel highway": a circuit of churches and similar venues throughout the U.S. where he trained singers and choirs. Really curious what happened to the speaking-in-tongues charismatic preacher who tried to guilt his wife into staying home with him instead of going on tour, the closest thing to a villain here. 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 best-known composition, "Take My Hand, Precious Lord", was performed by Mahalia Jackson and was a favorite of the Rev. Well known within the African-American community, Dorsey nonetheless remained relatively obscure outside of it--though people were singing his songs all over the world--until he became the subject of a BBC documentary in 1976. 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%4c%61%4a%75%61%6e%61%20%42%61%6e%6e%69%6e%67%20%26%6c%74%3b%6c%61%6a%62%61%6e%6e%69%6e%67%40%70%65%6f%70%6c%65%70%63%2e%63%6f%6d%26%67%74%3b%5c%22%3e%4c%61%4a%75%61%6e%61%20%42%61%6e%6e%69%6e%67%3c%5c%2f%61%3e%27%29%3b')). He retired from Pilgrim Baptist Church and the NCGCC soon after, though he continued to participate and perform when he was able. Warts and politics. He is described as stately and often detached, one writer attesting that from a distance, "Dorsey is not presented as a happy man. The Dorsey brothers' father, Thomas Dorsey, Sr., was a cornet-playing coal miner who also led the Shenandoah town band and gave music lessons on the side. The episode follows Thomas Dorsey, also known as the "father of gospel," as he came to Chicago during the great migration and brought the city his gospel blues.
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thomas dorsey documentary