SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - 'It Rained' by Katie Jackson and the GosPearl Community Choir.

Powerhouse vocalist Katie Jackson was born in Columbus, Georgia, and moved to Baltimore, Maryland, as a young woman to sing with the popular Baltimore Echoes. She then toured for years with the Campbell Brothers. Jackson also became active in the House of God, Keith Dominion – a charismatic religious denomination best known for its ecstatic, music-fueled services. In fact, Katie was called the “Mahalia Jackson of the House of God.”

In 1983, she recorded a wonderful LP with the GosPearl Community Choir, titled Precious Lord. My favorite track is her double-timed rave up of the old spiritual “It Rained.” So it’s not surprising that many of Jackson’s killer early recordings for the House of God – Keith Dominion have been re-released through famed Arhoolie label in recent years.

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

PREVIOUS EPISODES OF SHOUT! BLACK GOSPEL MUSIC MOMENTS

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - 'It Rained' by Katie Jackson and the GosPearl Community Choir.

Powerhouse vocalist Katie Jackson is joined by the GosPearl Community Choir on the up tempo gospel rave up, “It Rained.”

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - "Winding Chain” by Sons of Faith

The otherwise unknown Sons of Faith’s recording “Winding Chain” is a superb example of Deep South soulful gospel, a mournful, heartfelt two-minute gem.

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - "No Greater Love" by Keith Pringle and the Pentecostal Community Choir

Keith Pringle and the Pentecostal Community Choir’s version of Jeffrey LaValley’s “No Greater Love” was an instant classic.

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - “The Non-Violent Man,” by Bill Spivey and the Sons of Truth

Bill Spivey and the Sons of Truth’s vibrant, up tempo “The Non-Violent Man” was a tribute to the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - "Let Freedom Ring" by Pinkard Singers

The otherwise unknown Pinkard Singers released a single – but highly engaging -- 45 for the short-lived RaptureA label in the early 1970s, “Let Freedom Ring.”

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

Ethel Waters was a national treasure during her lifetime and increasingly turned to religious music later in life, including this sprightly version of the old folk spiritual, “I am a Pilgrim.”

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - "Roll Jordan, Roll" by Rev. Kenneth Glover

The Rev. Kenneth Glover turns the old spiritual “Roll Jordan, Roll” into an amped up “sending song” of the highest order.

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - "Reflections of the Man Inside" by Eddie Robinson

Bariton Eddie Robinson’s “Reflections of the Man Inside” also features top Motown producers, arrangers and musicians.

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - "I'm Saved" by J.C. White Singers

Some of New York’s finest musicians accompany the J.C. White Singers on the funky, jazzy gospel hit, “I’m Saved.”

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - 'Mountain Railroad' by The Rev. June Cheeks

The Rev. June Cheeks was one of the greatest shouters and testifiers in the history of gospel music – as his rendition of “Mountain Railroad” will surely prove!