I love gospel music. I don’t mean the overproduced crap they play at megachurches, I’m talking about a piano, bass, and a stomp/clap choir in a black southern community church led one or more strong, usually female, singers.
I’ve never heard this music that wasn’t about God and that kind of puts me off so I’m wondering…is there gospel MUSIC without the gospel LYRICS?
[Edit]I’m talking Blues Brother church scene music - thanks shittydwarf for the link
Check out the band Zeal & Ardor. Specifically the song “Devil is Fine”. It has grown a bit as a music project but it started as satanic gospel mixed with metal.
This isn’t quite what I’m after but I’m pretty into it regardless!
Always happy to share! Glad you enjoyed it!
Try Ray Charles’s Self-Titled album from 1957. Some of it feels literally like Gospel songs with Jesus subbed out for a girlfriend.
Pretty close!! If he had a choir behind him it’d be perfect!
Choirs accompanying soul artists is not unheard of, but yeah, it does seem to be more of a tool that’s leveraged when the sound feels right for a track, rather than being a core part of the act. The linked song is verging pretty close to “regular” gospel, but the lyrics are a bit too modern and on the nose for church, I’d think.
Yeah this one slaps. Definitely an acceptable level of churchiness!
Gospel can vary widely in sound. What you’re basically looking for is soul, RnB, funk and maybe jazz fusion. Probably artists that combine elements of those things.
That’s what I’m struggling with, I don’t think any of the “root” genres bring the specific elements I’m searching for. Mainly the call-and-response with a small choir.
The closest I’ve found is like stomp clap indie folk but no bands really do the choir thing.
Speaking of indie, have you tried some of the newer Justin Vernon (edit: Bon Iver) singles? Prob not exactly what you’re looking for, but heavily influenced by gospel, particularly AUATC and PDLIF. I mean, he seems to be a god guy, but it’s subtle.
As for call and response, I’m a sucker for sea shanties. Singing them in groups is the best (everyone sings the “response”), but there are some good recordings too. Try the Longest Johns for some well-produced recordings. It’s a slippery slope to traditional music though… You’ve been warned.
It’s not the same, but for upbeat choir stuff you might check out The Polyphonic Spree. I only really know this tune of theirs, but it might be worth a listen 👍
Damn I forgot all about these guys! I loved this song in Eternal Sunshine (along with the rest of the soundtrack/OST)
Yeah, that’s where I discovered them too! Fabulous soundtrack to a fabulous film, I really should watch it again soon.
I haven’t seen it in years but I still listen to Strings That Tie To You regularly
You should try Devin Townsend, he sometimes does songs that feel (to me) like gospel metal or “happy metal”
Do mind that he’s still a metalhead and some of his stuff is musically extreme to the untrained ear
I got you fam. Here’s my playlist. It’s not exactly the same, but there’s a big overlap between funk/soul and gospel. Don’t judge by the first couple tracks though. There’s some gems in here I really think you’ll like. Many of these tracks I’ve gathered have female lead vocals, because that’s what I like.
Oh and they’re newer artists so that should help you find more of what you like. Matt’s Funky Breaks and New Soul Playlist
Edit: For anyone else reading that wants to check out another rabbit hole. Matt’s Glitch Hop and Funk Playlist
I’m afraid there are just one-off songs, not a genre or musician that would do that consistently. It was more popular in the 90s. Jackson made a couple of them like this one.
Ruthie Foster has some music that might be what you’re looking for
Otherwise, I suggest poking around Bluegrass. Supposedly bluegrass sort of split off from gospel like an evolutionary branch, so there are a lot of heavier influences in bluegrass like what you’re talking about. Though I assume that most of what you’ll find is probably going to be sort of white people quiet church music, but I know for sure there’s a fair amount of good time stomp and clap.
You might find some of those influences in PJ Morton’s music. Sample: https://youtu.be/2F9pL06IC8k
C2C has a really cool electro-gospel song that doesn’t have overly religious lyrics, though it captures the vibes excellently: https://youtube.com/watch?v=tvY7Nw1i6Kw
Other gospel/southern vibes: https://youtu.be/xNWhiXxdbWk
Cop Rock - He’s Guilty comes to mind whenever I hear the phrase gospel music.
I only heard this one song. Have the playlist bookmarked, but haven’t gotten around to listening to the rest.
The classic for Babylon 5 fans, “And The Rock Cried Out, No Hiding Place”:
