People Get Ready - The History of Gospel Music

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Gospel music has been called "religion with rhythm." Tapestry presents a special two-part program about the history of black gospel music - music that helped shape the society into which it was born. Mary Hynes speaks with Robert Darden, who explores the spirituals that emerged shortly after the first African slaves landed in the New World; to the sounds of jazz, blues and gospel itself. It's two hours about music that moves the spirit as well as the body. Robert and Mary cover the roots of gospel music from Wade in the Water which had a message for slaves who wanted to escape, to Blind Willie Johnson who played his guitar with a knife.

Robert Darden's book is called People Get Ready: A New History of Black Gospel Music. It's published by Continuum.