Gospel music for the unbeliever

I've been on almost the exact same quest as the OP a few weeks ago, trying to find albums similar to Elvis' "How Great Thou Art". Here are some of the albums that I found, which I think will appeal to any fan of Elvis' and Cash's religious recordings:






to be continued...

 

I believe these will be what you're looking for. My personal favourite is Charlie Rich's "Silver Wings"

 

I haven't heard the first one, but I do have Standing Here Wondering Which Way To Go which I found last year in a thrift shop. It wasn't what I expected from Marion Williams the first time I listened to it. I expected gospel but maybe less of a mix with at the time contemporary songs. I wasn't sure that I liked it then with the exception of the title song by Thomas Dorsey which is as relevant today as ever especially right now. She does a staggering version.

I set it aside for a long time before I came back to it and and then also found it exceptional. She takes over every song, every cover including George Harrison's My Sweet Lord and Bob Dylan's Wicked Messenger, and makes them her own with her spirit and yes especially her voice. And she has an amazing group of studio musicians and background singers with her. Keith Jarrett, Ray Bryant, Hank Jones, or Joe Zawinul on piano alone.



Some other album cuts:

He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother
My Sweet Lord
Wicked Messenger
Danger Zone

Your recommendation seconded.

 

Agree! That is an amazing album. A couple of other amazing, somewhat similarly "spiritual" albums from the same time would be Odetta's "Odetta Sings" and Mavis Staples' "Only For The Lonely":

 

Ernest Monias - "How Great Thou Art" [Jesus is on the Mail Line] Cree lands, Northern Manitoba.

 

Mike Bloomfield & Woody Harris - "Gonna Need Somebody On My Bond" - [Bloomfield-Harris]

 

Rolling Stones - "I Just Want To See His face"

 

If you like country harmonies, check out any of the Statler Brothers' gospel albums. Here's a taste of their style:



And if you want some beautiful instrumental arrangements of classic hymns, check out a wonderful CD entitled Steal Away. Simple but gorgeous melodies, with Charlie Haden on bass and Hank Jones on piano. Sublime.

https://www.amazon.com/Steal-Away-Charlie-Haden/dp/B0000046YU/ref=sr_1_1?crid=NM8UDQL5CJ6L&dchild=1&keywords=charlie+haden+and+hank+jones&qid=1586286368&s=music&sprefix=charlie+ha,aps,191&sr=1-1

 

Marianne Faithfull - "Sign of Judgement"

 

The Blind Boys of Alabama have been mentioned a few times. Their first Realworld album is the best:



Also:

 

Jo-El Sonnier - "I'll Fly Away"

 

All great albums but those two Charlie Pride LPs are particularly good.

 

New Covenant Gospel Singers- "Na Yere Kece" - Fiji

 

High fives on all three of these!

 

Balsam Range ‎– The Gospel Collection
Label: Mountain Home Music Company ‎– MH18942
Format: CD, Album, Stereo
Country: US
Released: 2019
Genre: Bluegrass


The Como Mamas ‎– Move Upstairs
Label: Daptone Records ‎– DAP-045
Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: 19 May 2017
Genre: Funk / Soul
Style: Gospel



The Blind Boys Of Alabama ‎– Spirit Of The Century
Label: Real World Records ‎– 7243 8 50918 2 7
Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: 24 Apr 2001
Genre: Funk / Soul, Blues
Style: Gospel



John Scofield ‎– Piety Street
Label: EmArcy ‎– B0012656-02
Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: 2009
Genre: Jazz, Funk / Soul
Style: Gospel, Contemporary Jazz



Ben Harper & The Blind Boys Of Alabama ‎– There Will Be A Light
Label: Virgin Records America, Inc. ‎– 7243 5 71206 2 3
Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: 2004
Genre: Funk / Soul, Blues

 

I don't know the first one, but I have all the others, and they are all absolutely terrific! And they got me thinking of another one:

 

Rock & Waves Song Circle - Songs I-V

 

Mississippi Fred McDowell - "Get Right Church" - 1971

 

Brilliant Christian rock album by the world's best living 9-fingered guitarist. One side of tuneful Beatlesque pop-rock (and a lovely cover of Van Morrison's "When Will I Ever Learn To Live In God") and one side focusing more on epic-length jams. The 8-minute "John the Revelator" is a barnburner.

 

Here's one, Neil Young's lone gospel song.

 

Check out the EP “Revelator”

Tracklist
Everywhere I Look (Radio Mix) 3:09
John The Revelator (Radio Mix) 4:58
Doin' Nothin' (Alternative Take - Swamp Version) 5:48
John The Revelator (Extended Strat Mix) 8:02
The Further Adventures Of ... 12:46
Celebrate 2:14

As well as the alternate version entitled, “Blue”

Tracklist
Doin' Nothin' 7:35
Don't Pass Me By 3:46
Baby Blue 5:37
All There Is To Know 3:48
John The Revelator 8:02
World Of Mine 4:29
Everywhere I Look 3:53
The Further Adventures Of... 12:37
All Our Wishes 3:22
When Will I Ever Learn To Live In God? 6:39
Shouts Of Joy 5:53

They are great companions to “Crimson and Blue”.

 

Sonny Treadway - "Jesus Will Fix It For You"

 

Jello Biafra and Mojo Nixon

 

If you really want to know where the hard stuff is, go to Opal Nations' site:

Home

He's an expert on post-war Black Gospel. Start by checking out the 3 great voices: Julius Cheeks, Archie Brownlee, and Claude Jeter. There are tons of wonderful other groups/singers, but those will set the bar pretty high.