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THIS insightful book is the result of a 10-year quest by author Steve Smith to discover the origins and development of gospel music in Britain. Written in first-person, Smith believes this music’s history should be documented and merits the attention already given to calypso, ska and reggae, all of which – like black British gospel – owe their presence in Britain to Afro-Caribbean immigration.

Using interesting illustrations and commentary by gospel artists, Smith pinpoints key movements in the music, beginning with a UK visit in 1873 of the black American Fisk Jubilee singers, and ending with speculations about British gospel music’s future directions.

He succeeds in shattering the image of British gospel music as nothing more than choirs singing a capella and banging tambourines, though he notes how some churches resisted the use of instruments. Smith also highlights the diversity of gospel music and yet outlines the difficulty of defining it against conflicts about where to draw the line between the sacred and the secular, both musically and in the way gospel is performed for church and outside the church. A CD recording of black British gospel comes free with the book and there is a reference list for further reading.

The book would be ideal if adapted for film documentary. It is also a recommended read for gospel enthusiasts, those interested in black British history, and music lovers generally because of gospel music’s influence on other musical genres.

Out now through Monarch Books

Published: 11 October 2009
Issue: 1393

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