These 16 tracks recorded for Bess Berman's Apollo Records from 1947 to 1954 mark the debut recordings of Mahalia Jackson, and the first gospel records to reach a mass audience. The single release from her second session in September of 1947, "Move On Up a Little Higher," was the first gospel record to sell over a million copies, eventually doubling that figure and making her a household name. Never had anyone heard gospel sung quite like this. Simplicity was at the root of her presentation and her eventual success: put Mahalia in the company of her lifelong accompanist, pianist Mildred Falls, and surround her with little more than an organ sustaining chords, an occasional drummer or jazz guitarist and -- on even rarer occasions -- a vocal group. This kept the focus on Jackson's incredible vocal range and interpretive skills, coming up with sides like "His Eye Is on the Sparrow," "Poor Pilgrim of Sorrow" and her versions of "Silent Night" and "Amazing Grace," which were drenched in gospel fervor and vocal majesty. Mahalia generally preferred to hear her voice unencumbered by backing choirs and such, but superb vocal backing from the Southern Harmonaires -- later to record secularly for Apollo as the Larks -- is present on "He's My Light," "In the Upper Room (Part 1)" and "Said He Would," while the Melody Echoes sound equally wonderful behind her on "Up In Jerusalem" and "Beautiful Tomorrow." Although she would go on to make more successful and better-produced records when she later moved to Columbia in 1954, she made no greater music than these first recordings for Apollo. And here are 16 of the very best.
Review by Cub Koda