Soundcheck

Sister Rosetta Tharpe

The Life of an Uncommon Blues Traveler

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

She inspired Elvis Presley and Keith Richards with her rock 'n' roll charisma, but Sister Rosetta Tharpe's music was gospel. Today, we look at the genre-defying pioneer with Gayle Wald, author of Shout Sister Shout! The Untold Story of Rock-and-Roll Trailblazer Sister Rosetta Tharpe. We also hear about Tharpe's modern-day legacy with the leader singer of the UK indie rock band the Noisettes, whose latest album features the song "Sister Rosetta (Capture The Spirit)." Finally: Indie folk trio Great Lake Swimmers performs live.

Listen to the whole show

The Life and Legacy of Rosetta Tharpe

Combining spirituals with blues and swing, Rosetta Tharpe was hailed as one of the greatest gospel singers of her generation. Her influence reached well beyond the church however: rockers from Keith Richards to Michelle Shocked have been inspired by her hard-charging style. We're joined by Gayle Wald, author of Shout Sister Shout! The Untold Story of Rock-and-Roll Trailblazer Sister Rosetta Tharpe.

Sister Rosetta Tharpe performs "Down By the Riverside"
Shout, Sister, Shout! at Amazon.com
Sister Rosetta Tharpe - "Up Above My Head"

Noisettes

A conversation with Shingai Shoniwa, singer and bassist of the Noisettes, the London-based indie rock band whose latest album features the song "Sister Rosetta (Capture The Spirit).

The Noisettes' Web site

Great Lake Swimmers

Indie folk trio Great Lake Swimmers is fronted by singer-songwriter Tony Dekker, who continues creating delicate folk melodies on the group's third album, Ongiara. The group draws comparisons to Iron & Wine, but Great Lake Swimmers' songs move along at a faster pace.

Great Lake Swimmers' Web site