100 years ago this week, an American legend was born

This week — Wednesday to be specific — would have been the 100th birthday of the great Mahalia Jackson, whom I would rate as one of the top five American performers of the 20th century. Her voice, presence and passion are startling, putting in the shade even such remarkable artists as Aretha Franklin, to whom she is often compared.

As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “A voice like hers comes along once in a millennium.” Personally, I can’t listen to performances this one without the hairs on my arms rising. It’s been a hundred years since Mahalia showed up on this planet, and I don’t imagine we’ll see her equal in a hundred more.

Enjoy.

– Jay Bookman

290 comments Add your comment

Kamchak

October 30th, 2011
11:58 am

What kind of relationship did the previous administration have with the Saudi royal family?

Sealed with a kiss.

JamVet

October 30th, 2011
12:17 pm

Great geezer rap, Soothsayer.

They look pretty fed up, huh? I suspect they support the Occupy voices.

And I bet a couple of those old timers would even cr@p on police cars!! (And not even know it!)

C’mon, cons!

You’ve been duped long enough, haven’t you?

How many more years and how much more of this will you just sit there and take?

Go to a chiropractor and see if you can get those long unused spines functioning again!

1811/0311

October 30th, 2011
12:18 pm

carlosgvv :

Nope.

And remember this little Biblical admonition regarding the Jews:

“I will bless them who bless you and curse them who curse you”.

1811/0311

October 30th, 2011
12:20 pm

1811/0311

October 30th, 2011
12:27 pm

Headline: “Occupy Madison loses permit”

“City officials temporarily denied Occupy Madison a new street use permit … stops late at night due to inappropriate behavior, such as public masturbation, …”

Well, there you go ………. like I said before ……… NEVER hire one of these people ……… there are ALWAYS better qualified applicants.

JamVet

October 30th, 2011
12:39 pm

The poor Gomer Gang, they so wanted this to be true…

During the October 4 edition of Fox News’ America’s Newsroom, Stephen Hayes, a Fox News contributor and senior writer for The Weekly Standard, said of the Occupy Wall Street protests, “This is not going to amount to any kind of a serious movement.”

But look’s who laughing at the self-abusive Party of Yesteryear now.

Most of the country.

If you boys need the name of a good chiro, I’ve got one for you…

Kamchak

October 30th, 2011
2:18 pm

G.W. Bush to Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah

I wanna hold your hand.

Recon (2nd.and 3rd.)

October 30th, 2011
2:20 pm

It seems that when the campaigner-in-chief gets a slight bump up in the polls it’s a short lived bump up. Gallup has his approval numbers on the decline once again at 9 pts. down. The lib’s are in serious denial and trying to sooth themselves by having cerebral orgasims over the OWS crowd that has nothing to say that America’s interested in accept for LSM reporting it amounts to nothing.

TaxPayer

October 30th, 2011
2:33 pm

A reformed skinhead, Bryon Widner was desperate to rid himself of the racist tattoos that covered his face — so desperate that he turned to former enemies for help, and was willing to endure months of pain.

Isn’t that great news, Scout. I mean, someone like that could never get hired by anyone no matter how reformed he was. Now he can make something of himself other than be a loser his entire life.

1811/0311

October 30th, 2011
4:26 pm

Recon:

Headline: “Army Considers Ban on French Manicures, Earrings”

(I wonder if it includes the “women” too ……………… :o

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/10/army-considers-ban-on-french-manicures-earrings/

Soothsayer

October 30th, 2011
4:36 pm

1811/0311

October 30th, 2011
4:40 pm

Soothsayer:

Thank you sir …………. I am a “Pro-test-ant” !!

However, an indepth study of church history shows there was “always” a line (sometimes very, very thin) of Christians who stood apart with no allegiance other than to Christ and His Word. They suffered for it.

1811/0311

October 30th, 2011
4:42 pm

“Every man must do two things alone; he must do his own believing and his own dying.”

Martin Luther

Soothsayer

October 30th, 2011
4:47 pm

Soothsayer

October 30th, 2011
5:07 pm

Soothsayer

October 30th, 2011
5:15 pm

Kamchak

October 30th, 2011
5:26 pm

Soothsayer

October 30th, 2011
5:39 pm

Kamchak: what a great post! one of my fav BJ songs! Christie was so-OOO hot!

Midori

October 30th, 2011
5:40 pm

Del -

what a wasted life you have.

day in and day out, all you do is obsess about Obama.

Soothsayer

October 30th, 2011
5:48 pm

Soothsayer

October 30th, 2011
5:50 pm

Recon (2nd.and 3rd.)

October 30th, 2011
5:53 pm

“day in and day out, all you do is obsess about Obama.”

Well darling it seems that you obsess about me. I”m married so please don’t waste your life fantasizing about me.

Soothsayer

October 30th, 2011
5:56 pm

LOL! Del, somehow I don’t think you have to worry about that!

Soothsayer

October 30th, 2011
6:04 pm

Midori

October 30th, 2011
6:07 pm

Soothsayer

October 30th, 2011
6:11 pm

Midori

October 30th, 2011
6:11 pm

wow Sooth – that 6:04 was right on time :)

talk about a blast from the past :)

Soothsayer

October 30th, 2011
6:17 pm

josef

October 30th, 2011
6:25 pm

Are all you ghouls ready for the l’il b*ggers tomorrow? They love coming to my house (I know where you live!) and they DO appreciate the liberals with the goodies… :-)

Midori

October 30th, 2011
6:40 pm

Sooth.

please!!

Del needs more of a Nurse Ratchet type :lol:

Soothsayer

October 30th, 2011
6:49 pm

Soothsayer

October 30th, 2011
7:01 pm

josef

October 30th, 2011
7:10 pm

Soothsayer

October 30th, 2011
7:18 pm

אני מקווה שכל טוב עמך ושלכם (I hope that all is well with you and yours)

Great post, josef!

Soothsayer

October 30th, 2011
7:29 pm

Soothsayer

October 30th, 2011
7:35 pm

josef

October 30th, 2011
7:44 pm

sooth

החיים טובים!

Soothsayer

October 30th, 2011
7:44 pm

Recon (2nd.and 3rd.)

October 30th, 2011
7:48 pm

This one goes out to Midori. Don’t know if she switch hits or not but I thought I’d cover the bases for her. Yes, Midori , I’m a close representation of those within the first group. I guess you must sense it but it can never be.

bman

October 30th, 2011
7:48 pm

Just curious….but are most people here 60+?

Recon (2nd.and 3rd.)

October 30th, 2011
7:49 pm

Soothsayer

October 30th, 2011
7:49 pm

And the best of life to you, my friend!

Soothsayer

October 30th, 2011
7:56 pm

Sorry about that @ 7:44 here is what I meant to post.

bman: a majority of people will soon be over 60 — like it or not.

bman

October 30th, 2011
7:59 pm

i was just wondering. All of the songs posted are so old!

Soothsayer

October 30th, 2011
8:06 pm

bman

October 30th, 2011
8:08 pm

i’m not complaining lol

1811/0311

October 30th, 2011
8:08 pm

THIS IS PRETTY SPECIAL …………………. SOMETIMES A SIMPLE LIFE IS MUCH BETTER ………… I HAVE HAD BOTH AND CAN ATTEST FOR THAT.
..

“This video from the small Yupiq Eskimo Village of Quinhagak, Alaska , was a school computer project intended for the other Yupiq villages in the area. Much to the villagers’ shock, over a half million people have viewed it. ”

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=LyviyF-N23A

josef

October 30th, 2011
8:09 pm

bman

:-) Nope, not all…too bad DDR isn’t with us this p.m….under 30 and knows good music across the generations…just wait, though, your day’s coming when YOUR kids call yours old fogey ways….

Midori

October 30th, 2011
8:10 pm

Del – it’s very simple.

If you want me to stop commenting about your baseless, idiotic obsessions — STOP OBSESSING on BASELESS, IDIOTIC nonsense.

Who can help commenting about it? I hardly think I’m the only one.

But that’s all you do with each and every post That’s just sad. Period.

Normal

October 30th, 2011
8:15 pm

Hey y’all,
Just a quick note…If, either tomorrow morning or afternoon, you see a guy wearing a skull mask and skeleton hands on a motorcycle, honk or wave…it will be me terrorizing kids at the bus stops on Bells Ferry….

josef

October 30th, 2011
8:15 pm

Scout
@ 8:08

Awww…you ole softie, you! Thanks. That was, well, inspiring!

Recon (2nd.and 3rd.)

October 30th, 2011
8:16 pm

Midori,

Me thinks you protest too much… once again I’m sorry Midori but I’m taken.

Normal

October 30th, 2011
8:19 pm

Josef @ 8:09…
Back when my oldest daughter was just 13, I was in the living room, sitting in my favorite chair with my headset on, lidtening to the Beatles ABBY ROAD. She came in with a new friend, who asked who I was. My girl said, “That’s just Dad, listening to his old fogey rock”.
It got ugly after that… :)

Recon (2nd.and 3rd.)

October 30th, 2011
8:19 pm

Normal,

Have you cleared your planned bizarre behavior with the VFW?

Normal

October 30th, 2011
8:21 pm

Hell Del,
It’s haloween…later me and some old SEAL friends of mine are going to ambush kids for their candy…and claim we’re Marines… :D

Soothsayer

October 30th, 2011
8:21 pm

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Josef is the heart and soul of this blog. It wouldn’t be the same without you.

Midori

October 30th, 2011
8:22 pm

and methinks you obsess entirely too much.

josef

October 30th, 2011
8:25 pm

hey, bman…even on Melmac… today’s music ain’t got the same soul… :-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aM5skH8Xg78&feature=related

Soothsayer

October 30th, 2011
8:26 pm

josef

October 30th, 2011
8:30 pm

sooth…

Awww…flattery will get you everywhere!

Normal…
Back when the kids were growing up, ours was the house where the band practiced…Younger Boy being the drummer and the drums not being portable…they always made sure to play some tunes for us, too…
and tell that young un to be careful ’bout that music…Oldest Boy has already laid claim to the record collection when me and Unmentionable have gone to our reward…have any idea what that Beatles’ one with the butchered babies on the cover is worth? HE does! :-)

Recon (2nd.and 3rd.)

October 30th, 2011
8:31 pm

“and methinks you obsess entirely too much.”

There are toy’s for distressed woman that can help you and if you wish to obsess about me in your fantasy and it helps you that’s alright.

Recon (2nd.and 3rd.)

October 30th, 2011
8:36 pm

Sooth thank you, this goes out to you and Midori. My very best for both of you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqBtS6BIP1E

josef

October 30th, 2011
8:38 pm

Soothsayer

October 30th, 2011
8:41 pm

Gee! Thanks, Del! Unfortunately, I think Midori has “bigger fish to fry” if you know what I mean? Loved the Mariah Carey. One of my favorites.

josef

October 30th, 2011
8:42 pm

Del and midori, sittin’ in a tree…

Recon (2nd.and 3rd.)

October 30th, 2011
8:46 pm

“It’s haloween…later me and some old SEAL friends of mine are going to ambush kids for their candy…and claim we’re Marines… :D ” Normal, while I’m not surprised by SEALS involved in doing something like that, it surprises me that you would participate. Of course SEALS wearing sun glasses in the dark could pass the advantage over to the children. LOL

Soothsayer

October 30th, 2011
8:48 pm

Recon (2nd.and 3rd.)

October 30th, 2011
8:49 pm

“I think Midori has “bigger fish to fry” if you know what I mean?”

Sooth, I would certainly hope so, but I’m not too sure.

Soothsayer

October 30th, 2011
8:54 pm

Oops! I meant Stefani Germanotta!

Normal

October 30th, 2011
8:55 pm

Josef,
My son has my White Album, but I still have the four pictures… ;)

josef

October 30th, 2011
8:59 pm

you know…bman makes a point…wonder what his generation will be posting on FNM of the future…?

a preview…not all bad, “these are the good ole days….”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcGgKm62OiY

bman

October 30th, 2011
9:01 pm

josef … i’m not 12 : )

this is my type of music. one has to appreciate pure talent.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RX5WQqMXnDM.

Kamchak

October 30th, 2011
9:05 pm

bman

October 30th, 2011
9:09 pm

haha kamchak

Kamchak

October 30th, 2011
9:13 pm

I feel real guilty about that bman. Let me make it up to you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=booKP974B0k&ob=av2n

josef

October 30th, 2011
9:13 pm

here’s one who will be there right along with all the greats….my younger boy and I were playing her just the other night,,,,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ju8Hr50Ckwk&ob=av2e

Recon (2nd.and 3rd.)

October 30th, 2011
9:16 pm

It appears that I’ve put Midori to bed, so to speak in the non-literal sense. Sooth, unfortunately it looks like at best you’re second in her dream queue. Taps, y’all

bman

October 30th, 2011
9:20 pm

Kamchak ….if you turn the volume down, it is actually enjoyable.

josef

October 30th, 2011
9:20 pm

bman
@ 9:01

Ahhh…where I go in memory when I hear THAT one, crying in my beer after having said goodbye to my own “Daniel” on his way to Spain…but, as Unmentionable says whenever he catches me playing it and thinking back, and quoting Vonnegut from “Slapstick,” “Carlos was really a very stupid man,,,” :-)

1811/0311

October 30th, 2011
9:25 pm

Recon:

I went “Trick or Treating” Halloween night 1967 ………….. guess who got tricked ……………….. :o

Kamchak

October 30th, 2011
9:28 pm

….if you turn the volume down, it is actually enjoyable.

You mean there is music associated with that?

I learned something new today….

JamVet

October 30th, 2011
9:50 pm

Dwarf tossing, anyone?

http://blogs.ajc.com/mike-luckovich/

An “old fogy” band that still blows away the “kids”.

Most of whom couldn’t find middle C on a piano if their very lives depended on it, I suppose.

And virtually none of them have a clue how to lay down the sweetest of the sweet, like this…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCvAaq-daDU

bman

October 30th, 2011
9:58 pm

josef .. ..i know a lot of people consider Elton John one of the best ever. But, to me, I believe there are great musicians, there’s the King of rock n roll. The King of Pop etc… then there is Elton John.

I just don’t believe anyone comes close : )

moonbat betty

October 30th, 2011
10:01 pm

AJC sux

October 31st, 2011
6:50 am

Didn’t ML King have an affair with her Bookman? She sounds like crap!

Normal

October 31st, 2011
6:53 am

Normal

October 31st, 2011
6:55 am

Normal

October 31st, 2011
7:01 am

carlaroqs

October 31st, 2011
10:34 am

you know, i saw this blog, and saw the number of comments and i was impressed……………………..and then i read a few of them. i do not have time nor sympathy for stupidity. mahalia jackson’s voice stood and still stands alone for her generation and her genre. she was a bad shut your mouth and i pity those of you who jest in this sincerely appreciative blog regarding her.

GREG

October 31st, 2011
11:09 am

Simply the greatest !