SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - "I Am A Pilgrim" by Ethel Waters

Few artists have ever risen from more desperate conditions and poverty than the legendary Ethel Waters. But the sheer weight of her talent, both singing and acting, eventually led her to star on Black vaudeville, silent films, the legitimate stage, motion pictures, and television. In the process, Waters introduced several popular American standards to the public, “Stormy Weather,” “Sweet Georgia Brown,” Cabin in the Sky,” “Am I Blue?” and others. Along the way, she was even nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Pinky in 1949.

In 1957, she rediscovered religion at a Billy Graham Crusade and increasingly turned to religious music. In 1962, she released Ethel Waters Reminisces, with accompanied by pianist Reginald Beane, for the new Word Records label. This sprightly rendition of the old folk song/spiritual “I Am a Pilgrim” is one of the highlights.

I’m Robert Darden … “Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments” is produced by KWBU and the Black Gospel Music Preservation Program at Baylor University Libraries.

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