Over the years, I received so many questions on Mahalia, I decided to begin this FAQ site. Any contributions from you are welcome!
last update: March 23, 2004
WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE SONG MAHALIA SANG IN THE MOVIE IMITATION OF LIVE?
The song is called "Trouble of the world". It can be found on the Columbia/Sony CD "Mahalia Jackson Sings America's Favorite Hymns" (ASIN: B0000024XG)
FOR WHICH RECORD LABELS MAHALIA RECORDED?
Mahalia recorded almost exclusively for three record labels: DECCA/Coral (4 songs in 1937), Apollo (from 1947 until 1954) and from then on for Columbia/CBS, today SONY.
Any LP/CD on another label than the ones above are re-issues of original material. The only exception are some rare live recordings, such as Mahalia's participation in the "Salute to Congress" event and "The Holy Bible" on Jewel records, together with Studs Terkel.
Interestingly, Apollo never released any live material from Mahalia. If a song sounds like live, the "audience" was added later.
WHICH SONG MADE MAHALIA FAMOUS IN EUROPE?
Mahalia's rendition of "Silent Night" in the Apollo version. It was released in Denmark in the early fifties on the Metronome label. At that time, Columbia issued original Apollo takes in Europe (Scandinavia and UK)!
WHICH WERE THE GREATEST HITS OF MAHALIA?
Mahalia's greatest hit was surely MOVE ON UP A LITTLE HIGHER on Apollo. This is the song which made here famous, and it is said she sold over a million of this single. Later she also recorded it for Columbia.
Another "world hit" was WHEN THE SAINTS, recorded for Columbia. In Europe, Mahalia became famous for SILENT NIGHT in the Apollo version, issued on Metronome Records.
IS THERE ANY ORIGINAL APOLLO LABEL CD AVAILABLE TODAY?
From my knowledge, no. All CDs with Apollo material are re-issues from various sources. Also, the copyright issue seems not to be clear. There is a vast selection of Apollo recordings available, and it is very hard to tell which one are good and which aren't. My best guess is: listen to the CD before you buy!
IS THERE A LABEL HISTORY OF APOLLO RECORDS?
Well, again this question is difficult to answer. Mahalia recorded for Apollo until 1954. After that successful period the label slowly but surely diminished. Eventually, Kenwood released the Apollo albums, mainly with identical covers. Later on, you could find those on the Nashboro label. There is a rumor Mahalia wanted to record for Nashboro in the seventies, but apparently this never happened. At the same time, Top Rank issued the Apollo masters, later in cooperation with Grand Award. I know of one single released by Top Rank / Grand Award (both mentioned on the label). P-Vine from Japan released a wonderful CD set comprising of three CDs. They feature original Apollo cover artwork, and on the CD the Nashboro logo.
HAS COLUMBIA EVER RELEASED APOLLO RECORDONGS?
Recent research results proove that Columbia did issue Apollo recordings, at least in Europe. In the Netherlands, Columbia released 33HPX113 THE WORLD'S GREATEST GOSPEL SINGER, without any indication of the origin of the recordings.
In the UK, we know of at least two LPs: 33SX1753 IN THE UPPER ROOM, and 33SX1698 MAHALIA. Both LPs feature the original cover artwork of the Apollo issue and include the line "Original Apollo recordings". The titles are the same as on the Apollo versions, with some minor differences. For example, on the US version the title IN THE UPPER ROOM is split in two (as it was originally issued on a single). The UK version combines both parts to one song.
The big question now is, WHEN those records were released!
ARE THERE ANY LIVE RECORDINGS ON APOLLO?
No, Apollo never issued true live recordings. All "live noise" you can hear on some LPs were added later.
ARE THERE ANY DVDs AVAILABLE WITH MAHALIA?
Yes! These are the titles I know of:
IMITATION OF LIFE (ASIN B0000714BT)
THE POWER AND THE GLORY (ASIN: B0000714F1)
MAHALIA JACKSON SINGS (ASIN: B0000ZG05E9
JAZZ ON A SUMMER'S DAY (ASIN: B00003OSU4)
GIVE GOD THE GLORY (ASIN: B00019G8AQ)
INSPIRATIONAL MOMENTS FROM THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW (ASIN: B0000CC83Q)
Mahalia sings four songs.
All titles should be available from Amazon.Com
