help me get into gospel


hi guys, i'm really interested in learning more about gospel music.i only know about a few mahalia jackson and staple singers.let me know which are you favorite songs and albums.
opp
As Clueless said, there is a vast selection. You might try one of the "Best of Gospel" boxed sets. This will let you hear all types of gospel, back into the 1930s to the present. My current favorite? The Mississippi Mass Choir (try their greatest hits for a good sampling). If you're not standing up at the end then you're not listening! The Mighty Clouds of Joy is/are excellent. Reverend James Cleveland sounds mighty righteous(!), with a very powerful voice, if you like the more "story" type gospel.

More recent? Try Kirk Franklin or Donnie McClurkin. These guys have charisma, fantastic voices and front large choirs with excellent rhythm sections, and can rock the house.

My brother's favorite is either Oleta or Yoland Adams (I don't remember which, but both are good). If you like Mahalia, you should at least give them her a try, although different!

One of the better CDs I have heard (but can't seem to find a copy) is Andre Crouch with the Oslo Gospel Choir (believe it or not, those Norwegians can sing some fine gospel).

Too many more, but out of time.

Hope this helps!!
A great introduction to the gospel choir is "Amazing Grace" by Aretha Franklin. It features some traditional works and other inspirational tunes. This is a great album by a phenomenal singer. Buy it-if you are not moved, sell your stereo, and get a therapist.
The Richard Smallwood Singers - Live at Howard University.
The Canton Spirituals - Live in Memphis.
Aretha Franklin - when she used to sing with Rev James Cleveland.
Walter Hawkins - Love Alive

Gospel music has changed quite a bit in the last 20 years. There's even Gospel rap and hip hop Gospel now (I know... I know).

The more you study Gospel music history the more you will clearly hear the connections between Gospel, Blues and Country music. They all "borrowed" things from each other. PBS did a documentary on Gospel music a few years ago. See if you can find it. Very enlightening.

Mahalia is still probably my favorite. She had something very special.
Lots of great bluegrass style gospel out there. Try the Cox Family w/Allison Kraus. Cant remember the CD title.
The Fairfield Four- "I Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray"
Not Gospel but a great accapella group is Sweet Honey in the Rock, try their "Live at Carnegie Hall" album, it has several gospel songs on it including a great version of Wade In The Water.
Also, Aaron Neville "Devotion".