Thank you Leonard! I always look forward to this.

I loved this segment and I would like to purchase CDs of some of the masters recorded; especially the old gospel ones. Are there any CDs one can recommend? Please let me know. Thank you,
A grateful daily listener,
Susan Ettinger

One the most beautiful musical genres that has ever been sung on earth. Thank you for wonderful segment, Leonard. Greetings from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Great show, Leonard. If I had my way, there'd an annual Sister Rosetta Tharpe federal holiday.

The most beautiful music - life-giving. Thank you.

So good to hear these tunes on the radio, great show as usual.

Mavis. Staples. HalleLUjah!

On Wednesday, Feb 20, I had the opportunity to attend a fascinating lecture on the history of African-American Spitituals given by music historian Charle Horner (www.classicurbanharmony.net). Part of the presentation was an historical display set up by Charlie and his wife Pam Everything from wax cylinders to programs, photos, records, etc. The program was so well received that the display will be expanded and housed at the library until June. The library is located at 485 DeMott Lane in Somerset, NJ. I would urge everyone to see it.

Just passing through the stations and was arrested by this playlist. Cool to hear it in the context of black history month as Leonard stated - cooler if they would have a show like this, additionally and on, say, a random day in September, just as a slice of Americana to change the context. Great stuff. thanks.

Leonard,
In past years, I confess to dismissing as merely quaint your practice of playing this classic gospel music on your show, however, today I feel very different. I'm not sure why, but the majesty and power of these artists is hitting me full force today, and for that I am grateful to them and to you...

This music makes me proud to be a black American for through slave hollerers used song to ward off their toil and misery sprang gospel music.

Compare the beauty of this music to the noise of today. These are people of honor and strength. God willing they will return.

Nice...at the END of Black History month, this.

Whenever Leonard gets around to playing Gospel, I wonder what kind of dance moves he's busting out in the studio.

Mahalia Jackson singing "Take My Hand, Precious Lord" at Martin Luther King Jr.'s funeral in April 1968.

Boney M "Rivers of Babylon"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ybv4DOj-N0

For the African American Church the spirituals served as a catechism and liturgy and container of tradition, and beauty which gave hope.