Episodes
| Episode | First Broadcast | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | 20171113 | As the former director of a community gospel choir, Laura Mvula knows a bit about the way gospel can inspire us. In this series she gives us a personal slice of gospel funk and celestial soul, telling the story of gospel music's wider influence from the 1950's right up to the present day. Over the years, so much music from the blues, funk, disco, soul and plenty of pop music has been influenced by gospel music and Laura's playlist will pick some of the best, and most personal to her. Programme 1: Laura starts her story with some of the great music of the 50's and early 60's, and explains how gospel came to co-exist with the 'devil music' of the blues, and how the fusion of gospel and R&B brought about soul music. We hear from the Sensational Nightingales, Pastor TL Barrett as well as exploring the gospel routes of Aretha Franklin, James Brown, and Ray Charles. Laura Mvula plays music moved by the Holy Spirit. Laura Mvula tells the story of gospel music's influence from the 1950s to the present day. |
| 02 | 20171120 | As the former director of a community gospel choir, Laura Mvula knows a bit about the way gospel can inspire us. In this series she gives us a personal slice of gospel funk and celestial soul, telling the story of gospel music's wider influence from the 1950s right up to the present day. Over the years, so much music from the blues, funk, disco, soul and plenty of pop music has been influenced by gospel music and Laura's playlist will pick some of the best, and most personal to her. Programme 2: In the late 60s and 70s, Gospel Funk and Gospel Soul really took hold, the legendary Stax label set up its own Gospel Funk imprint, and Al Green takes centre stage. Producer: Tayo Popoola A Whistledown Production for BBC Radio 2. Laura Mvula plays music moved by the Holy Spirit. Laura Mvula tells the story of gospel music's influence from the 1950s to the present day. |
| 03 | 20171127 | As the former director of a community gospel choir, Laura Mvula knows a bit about the way gospel can inspire us. In this series she gives us a personal slice of gospel funk and celestial soul, telling the story of gospel music's wider influence from the 1950's right up to the present day. Over the years, so much music from the blues, funk, disco, soul and plenty of pop music has been influenced by gospel music and Laura's playlist will pick some of the best, and most personal to her. Programme 3: Laura looks at how disco has flirted with gospel, and hears how bands like Nu Colours, Sounds of Blackness and The Winans bring gospel's glories to a mainstream audience. Producer: Tayo Popoola A Whistledown Production for BBC Radio 2. Laura Mvula plays music moved by the Holy Spirit. Laura Mvula tells the story of gospel music's influence from the 1950s to the present day. |