A documentary that is fascinating: ‘Say Amen, Somebody’

[Michie]

George T. Nierenburg surveys gospel music, featuring “Mother” Willie Mae Ford Smith and “Professor” Thomas A. Dorsey.

Gospel music is the subject of this lively film, which explores the history of the faith-rooted musical style. While the documentary features a number of gospel musicians, it spends the most time looking into the considerable contributions of Thomas A. Dorsey, a pioneering songwriter and pianist, and his popular associate, singer "Mother" Willie Mae Ford Smith. Also included are numerous concert performances by the Barrett Sisters, Sallie Martin and other gospel luminaries.

'Say Amen, Somebody' Restoration Unveils The Wonder Of The Gospel Pioneers

 

[Michie]

Wonderful documentary and very illuminating.

 

[Michie]

Say Amen, Somebody gives an overview of the history of gospel music in the U.S. by following two main figures: Thomas A. Dorsey, considered the "Father of Gospel Music," 83 at the time of filming, recalls how he came to write his most famous song, "Take My Hand, Precious Lord" (1932), and the difficulty he faced introducing gospel blues to black churches in the early 1930s. "Mother" Willie Mae Ford Smith, 77 years old and an associate of Dorsey's, is the film's primary subject. Smith was closely involved with the organization Dorsey co-founded, the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses (NCGCC), becoming the director of the Soloists' Bureau in 1939. In this position, she trained several very influential 20th century gospel singers though remained relatively unknown herself outside of gospel.

Delois Barrett Campbell, and Zella Jackson Price are shown confronting the sacrifices they have made to put gospel music in the fore of their lives and the lives of their families, and the O'Neal Twins, Edward and Edgar, discuss the difficulties in trying to make a living exclusively in gospel music. The film features informal moments of subjects singing in private places, such as Dorsey in his back yard and Smith at her kitchen table, and two music recitals, one at an NCGCC meeting in Houston (1981), and a tribute concert for Willie Mae Ford Smith in St. Louis that Neirenberg organized.

Say Amen, Somebody - Wikipedia

 

[Michie]

 

[Michie]

Thomas A. Dorsey - Wikipedia