How They Got Over
It
Director: Robert Clem
Year: 2017
Rating: 8.0
They sang about God, Jesus, prayer,
sin and salvation but damn did they sing. This is a documentary about the
Gospel Quartets that were popular within the black population in the 1940s
into the 60s when everything changed. The Dixie Hummingbirds, Blind Boys
of Alabama, Sensational Nightingales, Mighty Clouds of Joy, Soul Stirrers,
Highway Qc's, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Reverend Julius Cheeks, Inez Andrews,
The Davis Sisters. Gospel Quartets were not necessarily four members - could
be more, not usually less - either of men or of women - and they crisscrossed
the country with their harmonies and voices calling out to people. The music
evolved from A Capella to a single guitar, then a bass and organ. As it evolved
so did secular music. Listening to the music on this it becomes quickly clear
that Gospel music and these Quartets in particular are one of the legs that
rock music was built on along with country, blues and jazz. As one of them
says, all they did is change singing Lord to singing baby. Sam Cooke came
out of gospel as did Aretha, Gladys Knight and many of the early soul singers.
And all they did was change it from sacred to secular. The beat stayed the
same, the passion stayed the same. There is a large amount of music shown
and that is the strength of this documentary. It is really good, powerful,
reach into your heart and get down on your knees good. It had me praying
for salvation.
