[78-L] Rhythmic "sprituals" of the early 1930s

[Michael Biel]

From: Cary Ginell <soundthink at live.com>
> No, I'm speaking of Tin Pan Alley compositions done in the
> style of revival songs. "All God's Chillun Got Rhythm" and
> Andy Razaf's "On Revival Day" are perfect examples.
> Cary Ginell

Depending on when it was written, wouldn't "It Ain't Necessarily So" fit
your standard?  It even has a congregation reply refrain.    "Buzzard
Song" might slightly qualify.  

Mike Biel  mbiel at mbiel.com  


 
 > From: gdkimball at cox.net
 > To: 78-l at klickitat.78online.com
 > Date: Fri, 14 Aug 2009 18:37:32 -0400
 > Subject: Re: [78-L] Rhythmic "sprituals" of the early 1930s
 > 
 > I'm not sure what you classify as "pop," but what about "In the
Morning By 
 > the Bright Light," by James Bland, recorded as "Gabriel's Trumpet" by
the 
 > Dinwiddie Colored Quartette? (Although the Dinwiddie group only uses
the 
 > first verse from Bland). Or "G. Burns Gonna Rise Again" (on Old Hat's
CD 
 > Good for What Ails You), and tunes of the like. Seven Foot Dilly's
"Old 
 > Ark's A'Moverin' " also comes to mind. There are many recastings of 
 > spirituals by such performers, although I guess it depends on whether
one 
 > considers them "pop" or "folk."
 > 
 > Gregg Kimball
 > 
 > 
 > ----- Original Message ----- 
 > From: "Cary Ginell" <soundthink at live.com>
 > To: <78-l at klickitat.78online.com>
 > Sent: Friday, August 14, 2009 4:34 PM
 > Subject: [78-L] Rhythmic "sprituals" of the early 1930s
 > 
 > 
 > >I was listening to Cole Porter's "Blow, Gabriel, Blow" today and was

 > >wondering about precedents for this idea in Tin Pan Alley. The style
was in 
 > >the form of a camp meeting spiritual, with a mock sermonizing lyric.
Three 
 > >songs that preceded this were "Oh, Monah," "On Revival Day" and
"Sing, You 
 > >Sinners." Without going off on a tangent, can anyone supply me with
further 
 > >examples of pop songs using the spiritual form? Keep in mind that
Anything 
 > >Goes was on Broadway in 1934, so the songs would have to predate
that ("All 
 > >God's Chillun Got Rhythm" doesn't count; it came out in 1937; "Ol'
Man 
 > >Mose" came out in 1936, I believe.).
 > >
 > >
 > >
 > > Cary Ginell