Analect 2.35x

2 February 2007. Bands of yellow sun pouring through gray clouds. A fan of light from above--as in a 19th century devotional. Last night: what is the difference between gospel and spiritual?--the first being the music out of Protestant evangelical tradition--African-American as well as European-American...where the spirituals are very much the body of song from the black South--out of Africa, almost certainly, with their sliding notes, call and response... Ghostly slow black and white footage of the Swan Silvertones--a kind of music with or without the sound. Then Turner Junior Johnson--harmonica answering each phrase of his wavery voice...young girl in a modern kitchen, close focus--song of praise, as she veers into ecstasy...and an inexplicable re-enactment--Down by the Riverside--a re-knowing of slavery--green chartreuse t-shirts, mop handles, a plastic bucket or two--in some church rec room, perhaps, the camera all jiggly, calls from the audience--laughter, affirmation. Their beautiful voices...

Mary had three links of chain
and every link was freedom's name
Pharaoh's's army got drownded...
Oh Mary don't you weep...

Parshas B'Shalach--this week. "And the waters divided..."