The Birth of Gospel
2026 · 57m · Documentary · History
This episode of Chicago Stories traces the birth and growth of gospel music in Chicago in the 1930s. The story follows "The Father of Gospel", Thomas A. Dorsey, who wrote one of gospel’s early hits while coping with his grief over the death of his wife and child. It explores the roots of gospel from southern spirituals during slavery, through gospel’s early years.
More Like This
Southern Gospel
2023 · ★ 7.1
Samuel Allen's life collapses, but he wants to pursue his childhood goals and become a preacher. To do this, the rock n roll star has to fight against his past demons.
More info →
Jesus Is King
2019 · ★ 4.9
Filmed during summer 2019, Jesus Is King brings Kanye West’s famed Sunday Service to life in the Roden Crater, visionary artist James Turrell’s never-before-seen installation in Arizona’s Painted Desert. This one-of-a-kind experience features songs arranged by West in the gospel tradition along with new music from his forthcoming album.
More info →
Voices of Hope
2023
This British documentary looks at 40 years of the London Community Gospel Choir, focusing on co-founder Bazil Meade who travelled to the United Kingdom from Montserrat as a boy.
More info →
Gospel Aerobics
1999
National Aerobic Champion Michelle LeMay teams up with award-winning artist Kurt Carr and the Kurt Carr Singers for this uplifting tape, which gives you a great, low-impact forty-five-minute cardio workout as you move and groove to such gospel favorites as "Kumbaya," "This Little Light of Mine," "Amen," and "Whole World in His Hands." With their enthusiasm and energy, Michelle LeMay and the Kurt Carr Singers will have you raising your hands and voice to the Lord even while you dance your way to better health, fitness, and weight-loss. Remember, the more you move it, the more you lose it. So stretch and shake it out as "Do You Know Him?" gets your body moving and blood flowing. Then enjoy a relaxing cool-down with "Amazing Grace."
More info →
Amazing Grace
2018 · ★ 7.2
A behind-the-scenes documentary about the recording of Aretha Franklin's best-selling album finally sees the light of day more than four decades after the original footage was shot.
More info →
Ben Harper and the Blindboys of Alabama: Live at the Apollo
2006 · ★ 4.8
Live at the Apollo was a by Ben Harper and The Blind Boys of Alabama filmed at the Apollo Theater (Harlem, New York), on October 12, 2004. Born October 28, 1969 Ben Harper is an American singer-songwriter and musician. Harper plays an eclectic mix of blues, folk, soul, reggae and rock music[1] and is known for his guitar-playing skills, vocals, live performances and activism. Harper's fan base spans several continents. His albums have been commercially successful in North America, Europe and Oceania. Harper is a two-time Grammy Award winner as well, winning awards for Best Pop Instrumental Performance and Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album, in 2005.
More info →
Tennessee Ernie Ford: Amazing Grace
2014
American legend Tennessee Ernie Ford is known for his unmistakable, booming voice and contagious personality as an artist, radio personality, actor and TV host. A beloved household name since the 1950s, Ford's talent as a singer has garnered sales of over 90 million albums sold worldwide. Gospel music was one of his greatest career passions as seen on his prime-time variety TV program, evidenced by his chart-topping recording successes and captured on this timeless collection containing such classic songs as "Peace in the Valley," "Rock of Ages," "Precious Memories," and many more.
More info →
The World of the Seekers
1968 · ★ 9
While flying to the first stop on their latest tour, the four members of the Australian music group The Seekers recall in flashback the origins of the group and their rise to success.
More info →
I Go to the Rock: The Gospel Music of Whitney Houston
2023 · ★ 10
The unmistakable voice of Whitney Houston is powerful and timeless. She reached the pinnacle of pop success becoming one of the most accomplished recording artists of all time. But her heart was always in Gospel music, and it profoundly influenced her life and career. From her first public performance to her best-selling Gospel album of all time, The Preacher's Wife, experience how profoundly Gospel music influenced her personal life and helped shape her career.
More info →
The Reverend
2022 · ★ 10
Winner of the DOC NYC Audience Award, Director Nick Canfield’s first film follows gospel-rock icon and activist Reverend Vince Anderson. After entering seminary, Vince dropped out to follow his second calling - music. With his band The Love Choir, he has played a now-legendary weekly show for over twenty years. Reconnecting with his faith and using his intense soulful music, he began to preach a type of spirituality that is open to all, meets people where they are, and moves everyone that sees him play. Reverend Vince is also deeply involved in social justice, working with other faith leaders around the country to build inclusive communities. Featuring Questlove and an ensemble of eccentric musicians, The Reverend is a rocking concert film as well as an intimate portrait of Reverend Vince’s inspiring personal and spiritual life.
More info →
A Life's Work
2020 · ★ 7
What’s it like to dedicate your life to work that won’t be completed in your lifetime? Fifteen years ago, filmmaker David Licata focused on four projects and the people behind them in an effort to answer this universal question.
More info →