American Prospect: Beyoncé Misses the Point of What Gospel Music Means to Black Americans

An interesting perspective on the Grammys’ Beyonce-“Precious Lord” controversy.  Read Kevin Cokley’s article in American Prospect by clicking below:

Beyoncé Misses the Point of What Gospel Music Means to Black Americans.

For my money, I would have preferred to hear Ledisi sing it, since she did the song in Selma.  Of course it’s all about the ratings, which is why TV personalities host music awards shows but you’ll rarely see a musician hosting a TV awards show.

Interestingly, while Mahalia Jackson is inexorably connected to “Take My Hand, Precious Lord” by Thomas A. Dorsey (pictured, circa 1930s), once upon a time in Chicago, the birthplace of “Precious Lord,” three people were better known for rendering the song, though they are little known today: Emma L. Jackson, Princess Stewart, and R. L. Knowles.  Stewart won a “Precious Lord” singing contest, in fact.  And the first to sing the beloved gospel song was probably Theodore R. Frye.