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SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - DeLois Barrett Campbell

The legendary DeLois Barrett Campbell and the Barrett Sisters were at their peak on this live version of “I’ll Fly Away.”

There are two great gospel music concert documentaries. Amazing Grace with Aretha Franklin from 2018 and Say Amen, Somebody from 1982. Say Amen, Somebody also features one of the greatest live gospel performances ever – DeLois Barrett Campbell and the Barrett Sisters singing “No Ways Tired.”

DeLois started with the Roberta Martin Singers but quickly became one of gospel music’s most electrifying singers. Few artists in any genre could match her range and Holy Ghost fire. One great place to hear DeLois -- and sisters Billie and Rodessa -- at the peak of their powers is on this live 45 from the mid-1960s, performing Albert Brumley’s classic “I’ll Fly Away.”

MUSIC: DeLois Barrett Campbell and the Barrett Sisters, “I’ll Fly Away,” 45 (July 14, 2024)

2428 DeLois Barrett Campbell - I'll Fly Away.mp3

Robert F. Darden is the author of two dozen books, most recently: Nothing But Love in God’s Water, Volume II: Black Sacred Music from Sit-In to Resurrection City (Penn State University Press, 2016); Nothing But Love in God’s Water, Volume I: Black Sacred Music from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement(Penn State University Press, 2014); Jesus Laughed: The Redemptive Power of Humor(Abingdon Press, 2008), Reluctant Prophets and Clueless Disciples: Understanding the Bible by Telling Its Stories(Abingdon Press, 2006); and People Get Ready! A New History of Black Gospel Music(Continuum/Bloomsbury, 2004).