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. 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 In Dorsey's story, he was stuck until a friend suggested he try adding "precious" to his address. [36] In Living Blues, Jim O'Neal compares Dorsey in gospel to W. C. Handy, who was the first and most influential blues composer, "with the notable difference that Dorsey developed his tradition from within, rather than 'discovering' it from an outsider's vantage point". One of the most acclaimed music documentaries of all time, Say Amen, Somebody is George T. Nierenberg's masterpiece a joyous, funny, deeply emotional celebration of African American culture, featuring the father of Gospel, Thomas A. Dorsey (""Precious Lord, Take My Hand""); Mother Willie Mae Ford Smith; and soul-shaking performances by the Barrett Sisters, the O'Neal Twins, and Zella . One of the best documentaries going I reckon. It provided the courage needed to fight Jim Crow. Letterboxd Limited. Turner encouraged his followers to find God from within. 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. The companion book of the same title was written by NPR correspondent Juan Williams (with historical notes by University of Indiana professor Quinton Hosford Dixie). Nothing worked. In 1924, Dorsey made his debut as "Georgia Tom" with Ma Rainey at the Grand Theater and continued to tour with her, even after he wed in 1925, until he suffered the second of his breakdowns in 1926. Thomas A. Dorsey documentary rough cut 6,122 views Oct 31, 2010 79 Dislike jpilkonis 42 subscribers Villa Rica, Georgia We reimagined cable. For his part, Nierenberg is grateful for the restoration of Say Amen, Somebody because of what it might mean for new audiences, especially because the film's central figures are no longer with us: Thomas A. Dorsey died in 1993 and Mother Willie Mae Ford Smith died the following year. Director George T. Nierenberg Stars Willie Mae Ford Smith Smith Thomas A. Dorsey Sallie Martin See production, box office & company info Search on Amazon search for Blu-ray and DVD Add to Watchlist Nix elongated some notes to emphasize specific syllables and words and sped up others. 84.00. January 7, 2006 A fire has destroyed the landmark Pilgrim Baptist Church on Chicago's South Side. Prominent hymnal publishers began including his compositions in the late 1930s, ensuring his music would be sung in white churches. 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. July 25, 2003 Thomas Dorsey combined sacred and secular styles to create a revolution in music. It goes beyond the series to explore the full diversity of African-American religious expression. Status is huge in this world. 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 . It tells the stories of Sojourner Truth and Denmark Vesey. Loud Pictures - A Music Movie Project38/65, Even without the explanation of the title from Say Amen, Somebody's Wikipedia page, its meaning is obvious once the film gets rolling. 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. It is presented on PBS by WGBH and ITVS. Six years later, he teamed with Mahalia Jackson, and the team ushered in what was known as the Golden Age of Gospel Music. Dorsey himself became known as the father of gospel music. In terms of the personalities that occupy the film, their presence is remarkable. Robert F. Darden is an Associate Professor of Journalism, Public Relations . And they insisted; they pursued it nonetheless.". Posters are sourced from TMDb and Posteritati, and appear for you and visitors to your profile and content, depending on settings. Harris even linked the blues soloist to the preacher, as each embodies the yearning of a people and manifests that yearning principally through improvisation. The pilgrims took a physical and spiritual voyage, walking from Massachusetts to New Orleans, through the Caribbean, and ultimately, to Goree Island in Senegal. Dorsey, one of five children, was born in Villa Rica, Georgia, but soon moved with his family to Atlanta. "You have the Barrett Sisters; you have the O'Neal Twins. Yoruba originated in West Africa and pre-dates Christianity. He infused joy and optimism in his written music as he directed his choirs to do perform with uplifting fervor as they sang. Dorsey soon began composing sacred songs and took a job as director of music at New Hope Baptist Church on Chicago's South Side, where he described the congregation's singing of spirituals "like down home," noting that the congregants also clapped to his music. The 1981 meeting featured in the film was the last convention he was able to attend. I first encountered it as an LP from the documentary and have enjoyed it ever since. [16], This new style began to catch on in Chicago, and Dorsey's musical partners Theodore Frye, Magnolia Lewis Butts, and Henry Carruthers urged him to organize a convention where musicians could learn gospel blues. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we dont use a simple average. In 1933, Dorsey directed a 600-person chorus at the second meeting of the NCGCC, now boasting 3,500 members in 24 states. I bet he and God are having a ball in Heaven! At their debut, Frye strutted up and down the aisles and sang back and forth with the chorus, and at one point Dorsey jumped up from the piano stool in excitement and stood as he played. He was his sons' first teacher. A beat is a beat whatever it is. [26][27], Simultaneously, a shift in Chicago's black churches was taking place. '"[27], When he gave interviews later in his life, he never condemned blues music or his experiences in that period. In fact it won't go anywhere. The first was Thomas A. Dorsey, known as the father of gospel music. TMDb He retired from Pilgrim Baptist Church and the NCGCC soon after, though he continued to participate and perform when he was able. [53][54] Though he never returned to his hometown, efforts to honor Dorsey in Villa Rica, Georgia, began a week after his death. I feel like I can fly away!". Dorsey described it as "good news on either side." With his brother Jimmy, Dorsey helped define American popular music from the 1920s through the mid 1950s. [27], During his blues period, Dorsey presented himself as dapper and dignified, which carried over into his gospel work. I miss her everyday. ", Wade In The Water Ep. 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%73%68%61%6e%69%63%65%20%26%6c%74%3b%6d%69%7a%7a%63%68%65%72%72%79%31%32%39%40%61%6f%6c%2e%63%6f%6d%26%67%74%3b%5c%22%3e%73%68%61%6e%69%63%65%3c%5c%2f%61%3e%27%29%3b')), Copyright 2023 Net Industries - All Rights Reserved, Additional information for this profile was obtained from the documentary. Played for parties and bordellos in Atlanta; became music director of New Hope Baptist Church, Chicago; performed with the Whispering Syncopators, early 1920s; as "Georgia Tom," debuted, with Ma Rainey, at Grand Theater, Chicago, 1924; composed "It's Tight Like That," 1928, and "Precious Lord," 1931; became music director of Pilgrim Baptist Church, Chicago, 1932; with blues singer Sallie Martin, formed National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses, 1932; became minister, 1960s; featured in BBC documentary, 1976; with gospel singer Willie Mae Ford Smith, featured in documentary Say Amen Somebody, 1984. ABOUT THE EPISODE. She says another thing that sets the film apart is its focus on female performers; Nierenberg says the women faced opposition from both the Church and their families, "They were bucking the system when it came to performing their music in churches," he says. He did not seek publicity, preferring to remain at his position as music director at the 3,000-seat Pilgrim Baptist Church and running his publishing company. People are saying amen because it feels good! Lamont Dozier, along with partners Eddie and Brian Holland was a main architect of the Motown sound, creating a stunning body of work in the sixties most notably for the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, and The Temptations. [30][31], Dorsey lived a quiet life despite his influence. Search the characters on YT, wonderful performances via 78's. Copyright 2003 The Faith Project, Inc. All rights reserved. However, mainstream churches rejected his songs. ABOUT THE EPISODE, "Inheritors of the Faith" follows those who seek spiritual fulfillment outside of Christianity. Warts and politics. Thankfully enough folks saw the light. I love it. Courtesy Milestone Films She appeared in the 1961 film The Ladies Man, 1938 film You Can't Take It with You and toured with Bob Hope during and after World War II. The documentary was originally released in 1982, and has been remastered and re-released. [4], Directionless, Dorsey began attending shows at the nearby 81 Theater, that featured blues musicians and live vaudeville acts. People are responding to these singers because it feels good! [23] Faced with rapid changes, old-line church members who preferred formal, more sedate music programs objected, leading to conflicts in and between Chicago's black churches. Birth of the Gospel Blues. Looked for it for years. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness. Van Matre, Lynn, "Praises To Be For 'Father of Gospel'". He visited a faith healer, Bishop H.H. It covers interviews of key missionary workers and their experiences of how they became missionary workers, their personal struggles within the churches and how they survived the ministering call to help people. Poe, Janita, "Thomas A Dorsey, Gospel Pioneer", National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses, National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, Precious Lord: New Recordings of the Great Songs of Thomas A. Dorsey, Living legends of Chicago gospel honor tradition, carry on family legacies, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Spirit of Dorsey's Songs Fills His Funeral Service, Living Legends of Chicago Gospel Honor Tradition, Carry on Family Legacies, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Inductee List, Frequently Asked Questions: National Recording Registry, Complete National Recording Registry Listing: National Recording Registry, "If I Could Hear My Mother Pray AgainThomas Dorsey (1934)", "Peace in the Valley"Red Foley and the Sunshine Boys (1951), "Precious Lord: New Recordings of the Great Gospel Songs of Thomas A. Dorsey", "'It's Tight Like That' by Tampa Red and Georgia Tom", "'Future Blues' Willie Brown (Paramount 1930)", Biography by the Chicago Historical Society, "The Father of the Chicago Gospel Singing Movement", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Thomas_A._Dorsey&oldid=1150701726, Governor's Award for the Arts in Chicago, given 1985, "If I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again" (1934), added in 2007 recorded by Dorsey, written by John Whitfield Vaughan in 1922, "Peace In The Valley" by Red Foley and the Sunshine Boys (1951), added in 2006, Ferris, William, and Hart, Mary L., eds. His first gospel song, "If You See my Savior Tell Him That You Saw Me" was published in 1932. In 1932 Dorsey was appointed musical director of Pilgrim Baptist Church in Chicago, a post he held until his retirement in 1983. It's all the same talent. My soul was a deluge of divine rapture; my emotions were aroused; my heart was inspired to become a great singer and worker in the Kingdom of the Lord--and impress people just as this great singer did that Sunday morning." 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. He moved to Chicago and became a proficient composer and arranger of jazz and vaudeville just as blues was becoming popular. The Lord has too much work for you to let you die.". 1982 Directed by George T. Nierenberg Synopsis Pure joy Documentary on modern black gospel music, focusing on the pioneering Rev. Please try again. Even with a family he remained active in music, attending multiple engagements each year. His reputation led him to become a music arranger for Paramount Records and the Chicago Music Publishing Company. Now George T. Nierenberg's film has been restored and re-released to theaters and DVD. From then on, Dorsey vowed to do the Lord's work. Folk was wipin' their eyes, and some cryin' and bawlin' on, and I told em, 'What is this happenin' here? [f], Chapters of the NCGCC opened in St. Louis and Cleveland. Young Thomas Dorsey describes feeling alienated from school and church during his first years in Atlanta. Indeed, in the late 1920s, he would begin work with one of the great gospel soloists of all time, Mahalia Jackson. Apparently, this is a common phrase for a preacher to employ when looking to foster agreement. She also helped him with his publishing business, which quickly became so successful that people nationwide called any piece of gospel sheet music a "Dorsey.". 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". 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. Dorsey and Ebenezer's music director Theodore Frye trained the new chorus to deliver his songs with a gospel blues sound: lively, joyous theatrical performances with embellished and elongated notes accentuated with rhythmic clapping and shouts. Easily one of the best music documentaries I have ever seen, this film could have coasted on the charisma and brilliance of its subjects, primarily Willie Mae Ford Smith and Thomas A. Dorsey, seminal figures in the history of Black gospel music. By what name was Say Amen, Somebody (1982) officially released in Canada in English? Dorsey began developing a sacred music based on the secular blues. Dorsey was a popular blues pianist and arranger he was best known as Ma Rainey's band leader, until he took the blues and adapted it to sacred music.
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