Thursday, May 15, 2008

Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Today's song of the day is Trouble in Mind, by Sister Rosetta Tharpe. I chose Sister Rosetta for a couple of reasons tonight. To start with, she is a blues pioneer. She was doing music ahead of her time. She was one of the first successful gospel singers to record albums. She also added a blues\rock element that would not find widespread success until the R&B and Rock and Roll of the late 50's. But she was doing it in the 30's.


I also notice that "Old Time" music us attaining greater success today, with out the understanding of those doing it when it was NEW music. A lot of people are only familiar with newer artists doing that kinda of music. Allison Krauss, Gillian Welch, and Old Crow Medicine Show are enjoying national attention. And deservedly so! There are many AMAZING artists still playing roots music in the MTV age. But ask those fans about the artists who influenced the likes of Old Crow and Mrs. Krauss, and they draw a blank. Doc Watson, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Etta Baker, and Sister Rosetta Tharpe sometimes get left to obscurity.

Sister Rosetta Tharpe crosses from Gospel, to Folk, to Blues, and does it better then most. Its well worth your time to check her out!!

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