Sister Rosetta Tharpe - Gospel of the Blues, The - Music & Performance - CD

With 18 Decca tracks from 1938-1948, this CD is not only a good survey of some of Tharpe's best work, but one of the best compilations of any sort to illustrate gospel's crossover into blues, R&B, and secular music in general.

Admittedly that's not the busiest cross-fertilization of popular music, but it's not one that's given much attention.

And if you think you might not like this because Tharpe is sometimes described as a gospel artist, think again, for this is fine stuff on any terms, mixing the devotional exuberance of gospel with first-rate accompaniment blending blues, early R&B, and at times some swing jazz.