Powerpoint presentation on The Gospel Highway in America.

1. The Gospel Highway
George, Lawrence, Michael, Ieuan

2. What is Soul as a music genre?
Soul as a music genre originated from the US. Soul
combined the styles of gospel and R&B. Important features
and conventions of Soul are catchy rhythms, handclaps and
improvised dance moves.

3. Sub genres
Gospel is actually a sub-genre of soul music. The music from gospel
groups was widely accepted by the Caucasian community. This was
due to the Church related lyrics behind gospel.
Sam Cooke started off as a gospel singer, but moved onto secular
music. This was considered a grave offense in the gospel community,
and large amounts of people from the gospel community criticized
Sam Cooke's song "Lovable Girl" due to its close resemblance to
Gospel music. It was considered a grave offense to sing secular music
because secular music did not relate to religion.

4. Key Artists of this period
Samuel Cook (Sam
Cooke)- Considered to
be one of the founders
and pioneers of soul
music. One of Gospel
music's greatest stars,
often referred to as
the King of Soul.

5. Key Artist of this period
Sam transformed black church music into mainstream pop
and inspired a generation of singers. Sam's pioneering led to
the rise of stars such as Stevie Wonder and James Brown.
Shot by a motel manager over a dispute on December 11,
1964, aged 33.
Sam's hero and inspiration came
from a man called R. H. Harris.
He transformed the ensemble
jubilee quartet style of the 30s
which led to the gospel style of
the 40s and 50s.

6. Genre and representation
The gospel genre was a sub-genre of soul music written to
communicate spiritual belief. It is associated with
Christianity, and most if not all of the early songs, especially
the ones written and/or sung by Sam Cook were directly
facelifted from songs praising God and had the lyrics changed.

7. In political struggle, what would
we perceive in black music today?
If the music we were learning about developed from political
struggle, we believe that black music nowadays would be
based on about the social equalities and the independence of
the blacks.
In the society of blacks, artists like Sam Cooke himself will
stand up and challenge the struggles they would face;
producing songs about being accepted into white society,
expressing personal or social feelings.
This links to how Sam Cooke sung secular music during the
time it was considered a grave offense.