Amazon.com
There's good news aplenty in this DVD reissue of Say Amen, Somebody, director George T. Nierenberg's 1980 film focusing on some of the giants of modern gospel music and the younger singers whom they inspired. That's "good news" as in the word of God, and what better way to express the power of faith than through this powerful and uplifting music? Liner notes writer Anthony Heilbut describes the film as an exploration of "the golden age of gospel music in its dying hour," and Nierenberg (whose informative and illuminating commentary track, like Heilbut's lengthy notes, is one of the several features that justify the DVD's "bonus deluxe" tag) focuses principally on two senior citizens: Thomas Dorsey, often credited as "the father of gospel music," and Willie Mae Ford Smith, a St. Louis-based singer and an innovator who helped popularize the modern gospel singing style, with its emphasis on exaggerated, open-mouthed vibrato and careful articulation of the lyrics. Dorsey is an engaging raconteur who explains the origins of modern gospel (once a secular songwriter who wrote for Ma Rainey and others, he added rhythm to traditional hymns and spirituals, essentially "bringing the blues into church") and speaks movingly of the trials and tribulations that led to his writing the classic "Precious Lord." For her part, Smith is not only a tireless worker but something of a feminist pioneer who insisted early on that women have just as much right as men to spread the word (her own son's remark that "women ought to stay in their proper place: behind the man" illustrates what an uphill battle that was, and is); this chauvinism, along with the creeping commercialism that makes singers like the O'Neal Twins wonder if they're compromising their evangelical calling, are among the deeper issues Nierenberg's film addresses. But in the long run, of course, it's all about the music, and the DVD package includes 18 complete performances accessible via separate menu, as well as a 15-song CD. All of this will prompt not only a few "amens," but no doubt some "hallelujahs" too. --Sam Graham
Amazon.com
The first-ever DVD release for this legendary documentary film that explores the lives and music of the pioneers of modern Gospel music. Features Willie Mae Ford Smith, Thomas A. Dorsey, The Barrett Sisters and The O'Neal Twins. Includes bonus 15-song audio CD and deluxe "hymn book" packaging with essays, lyrics and rare photos. Bonus features include newly recorded director's commentary, photo essay and theatrical trailer.
"The music is as exciting and uplifting as any music I've ever heard on film…a great experience" - Roger Ebert
"exuberant and revitalizing" - Rolling Stone
"even a tone-deaf atheist will say `amen!'" - Time
Customer Reviews:
This would inspire dead athiests to rise from the grave.......2007-08-14
Loved this movie since it first came out a few decades ago. Had the video vcr, loaned it out (gone), and was delighted find this crisp version of the movie with great sound on DVD. You can skip right to the songs, too, but do not miss the entire program. These gospel pioneers are no longer with us and the whole field has been more "popped up." These are the real deal singers, revival singers. My elderly mother was thrilled to see this on my new LCD screen, with stereo speakers right in her face. You'll clap you'll cry.
Bonus CD too. You can't go wrong.
What An Inspiration.......2007-07-16
As I've grown old and live far, far away from the place of my youth, I yearn for my Southern roots that keep pullin' on me. This DVD and CD music bonus set help transport me back to a time that I remember with fondness. Although I'm Jewish, I was raised by a Black Baptist woman and grew up with Gospel all around me. What struck me about Gospel was its soulful messages that transcended religious boundaries most of the time. If you listen closely, you won't hear Jesus in every Gospel message. No, you will hear messages about being free and crossin' over Jordan, or messages about the time of the Judgement comin' and being re-united with your family in heaven, messages that have its roots founded in African-American slavery. As an adolescent, I couldn't wait for Sunday mornings to listen to the Black radio station's Gospel Train program and listen to all the tremendous artists that the White world was oblivious to and, unfortunately, were kept from knowing. Even with all those years of sneaking around to listen to my Gospel music, I hadn't heard of Mother Willie Mae Ford Smith, but you'll learn why if you buy this DVD set because I'm sad to say, this DVD is the only medium where you will ever hear her tremendous recorded voice! If you want to have the hair stand on end, just wait until you hear Mother Smith belt out "I'll Never Turn Back." But the most tender moment comes when Thomas Dorsey is sitting with Sallie Martin and he realizes that the song, "If You See My Saviour," playing in the background on an old record player, is the very one of his own first recording. To witness Sallie Martin begin singing along with the record and then to have Dorsey join in, well, it's a moment in musical history that, thanks to DVD technology, I'll get to relive time and time again. The real bonus in buying this set, however, is the booklet that fills in all the unanswered questions that the DVD leaves hanging. You will enjoy "Say Amen Somebody" dozens of times if you buy this DVD set.
Say Amen, Somebody.......2007-07-09
Regardless of anyone's race or creed, this movie provides rare nourishment for the soul. With its message of love and hope contagious, Director Nierenberg fashions a touchingly human and uplifting portrait of gospel music that translates how this special music has sustained people through adversity. A humbling and glorious film.
Gone Too Long.......2007-05-08
As great documentaries have gained a new audience in independent film, it's fun to revisit some of the movies that transformed the genre and infused it with more humanity and feeling. While the Maysles' works were fundamental, it would be tough to omit SAY AMEN, SOMEBODY from the list of greats.
This beautiful, uplifting film focuses largely on the late-life careers of Thomas A Dorsey and the amazing Willie Mae Ford Smith. In an unsentimental and elegaic way, we witness the end of era -- one that shaped American culture, and also gave immeasurable help to people of color from the 1920's through the mid-eighties, when commercial producers replaced the veterans at leading labels.
One of the most amazing qualities of this beautifuly photograhed, edited and recorded film is that its emotional magnetism would convince an atheist to examine the faith of others with more introspection. It is not the scenes of ministers speaking in tongues or parishioners being annointed that matter here as much as the infectious lyrics and rhythm of indelible performances. Couched somewhere between traditional blues and early R&B, gospel haped part of what it means to be American --and this beautifully designed set pays it the homage it deserves.
For a VERY low price, I received a 70-minute CD with 15 of the best performances from the film, and the remastered film on DVD with a photographic gallery and other features. The two dics are packed in a hardcover long-pack with an informative booklet -- all of it well-designed.
I rank this documentary with SALESMAN, HARLAN COUNTY, USA; TOSCA'S KISS, GREY GARDENS, WHEN THE LEVEES BROKE and perhaps five or six other fwonderful ilms. Personally, I wouldn't miss this DVD-and-soundtrack set for the world.
Not the first release of this wonderful documentary but I suspect the best.......2007-03-31
"Say Amen, Somebody" was released on DVD by Xenon Pictures in 2001; so, this is not the first release, but it is still an amazing documentary. I had the pleasure to go on a Caribbean jazz cruise on which the Barrett Sisters were scheduled to sing the first Saturday night with little fanfare. They were so thrilling that the ship cancelled the Wednesday's evening shows for both those on the jazz cruise and the rest of the passengers and subsituted the Barrett Sisters (featured here. To say they brought down the house (or ship if you must) was an understatement. Willie Mae Ford Smith, Thomas A. Dorsey and The O'Neal Twins plus The Barrett Sisters make this essential watching even if you think you won't be moved by Gospel. This is one amazing documentary. It was premiered at the Telluride Movie Festival and Roger Ebert told me one of the most thrilling moments of his life was seeing the film followed by the stars appearing live after the movie. I wish I had been there but seeing the Barrett Sisters was close enough. Search out their few CDs; they are brilliant. If you have not watched the recently Paul Simon Gospel All-Star DVD do so. It's a close second to "Say Amen, Somebody."
Amazon.com
Anyone who loves soul music or rhythm & blues probably knows that it all springs from the roots of gospel music. This 1982 documentary by director George T. Nierenberg breaks it all down beautifully as he examines the lives and careers of a handful of since-departed gospel stars, who helped create the genre from which so many other forms of music flowed. Focusing on the aging but still vigorous "Professor" Thomas A. Dorsey and "Mother" Willie Mae Ford, he also offers musical moments by such gospel stalwarts as Sallie Martin and the Barrett Sisters. Live performances are mixed with telling, sometimes touching reminiscences by these pioneers of a musical style, all leading to several striking points: principally, that this energetic music took time to be accepted by the conservatives in the church, and that the music itself has a surprising power to raise spirits and confirm faith. Yet it's all done in a way that is spiritual without being preachy. A truly joyful film. --Marshall Fine
Customer Reviews:
Touched and Inspired are the two definitions .......2007-05-03
Touched and Inspired are the two definitions that ultimately sum up the experience and after feeling of watching `Say Amen, Somebody'. A need to be discovered documentary film detailing the rise and cultural embargo of Gospel music. A relative piece of Landmark history in Gospel music. Say Amen, Somebody takes the viewer on a journey of time to witness the great invention of Gospel music at its purest and finest, and be warned its Gospel music not quite as we think we know it today. This journey is led and narrated by Willie May Ford-Smith and Thomas A. Dorson the Two most significant connoisseurs of Gospel Music. Upon this embargo opinion and information of the time is also given by those who were fortunate enough to sideline the movement, of Willie Mae and Thomas, this magnificent duo can only be described as `True Patron Saints'!
If today's young people could only watch this great piece of history and connect with it for just a minute, things would be very different for them as a generation. I am committed to honesty in saying that if today's church were as tenacious and committed as Willie Mae Ford-Smith and Thomas A. Dorsey then the body of Christ and the church of this present day wouldn't be so divided!
The *minute film shows the paths that Gospel music had taken throughout central America starting in Chicago also the hometown of Willie Mae and Thomas, showing how the church of the time would not accept this new type of `blues singing music' called Gospel music, Thomas a spiritual Innovator and Willie Mae an Evangelist have dedicated their lives work to the insemination of Gospel music not only to be accepted into the church but also within main stream culture.
If you do not know Willie Mae Ford or Thomas A. Dorsoy then apparently you do not fully know Gospel music. We all know that you have to know the beginning in order to understand the origins and be able to foresee the future and fully understand a process. A must have for all true Gospel Music fans today
True Gospel Music.......2007-04-02
This video had me crying, laughing and really appreciating Gospel music. This is gospel music in it's purest. Music that speaks to the soul and really ministers to the heart. Gospel music artist(today)have turned Gospel music into this big money making industry and have joined with secular artists and have degraded the true meaning behind gospel. This video was truly inspiring and I loved it!
Say Amen, Somebody.......2005-08-23
Regardless of anyone's race or creed, this movie provides rare nourishment for the soul. With its message of love and hope contagious, Director Nierenberg fashions a touchingly human and uplifting portrait of gospel music that translates how this special music has sustained people through adversity. A humbling and glorious film.
Gospel Music Lovers, Don't Miss This One!.......2003-12-08
If you're into Gospel Music (the older clasic type) and even if you're not, this is one of the most moving , informative, authentic documentaries I've ever see. Maybe that's why it won an academy award when it was released. I saw it then at the theatre, and later on video, and it's lost none of its power. It took a European to make it, which is just more proof how little we as Americans care about what many consider the most influencial form of African- American music.
Give me that Old time religion.......2002-07-16
For those who have not yet goten a grip of the new strange stuff in the gospel scene, this is for you. For those who have got all the latest music, this is for you too. It shows the background of songs such as "precious Lord". Also it goes on to show how the gospel music had to fight to be where it was int he early eigthies. Thomas Dorsey is also a little entertainer and Willie Mae Ford Smith is definitely a minister for the truth whatever the cost. Get it and you will not be disappointed
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Say Amen, Somebody
The Story of Gospel Music
Gospel
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When the Levees Broke
