N´awlins Gospel Reflections

The Jazz Fest is truly cool.

The musicians are excellent. EXCELLENT.

What strikes me in person is that the music that these guys play is effortless. They have either been practicing their lil' hearts out for years and years so this stuff is second nature, or they are born with some'in. Or both.

It is amazing to watch.

I keep being on the verge of tears (like once or twice a day) here, because i cant quite believe that I am here, hearing this, and that it is not pretend.

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Y'all know that I came here to check out gospel music. No surprises, I have been hanging out in the gospel tent. Gospel makes sense here in New Orleans. The part of town where I am staying is predominantly black. It feels like so many shows and movies and screenings of churches come to life... Some of the black people's voices can truly boom, there is a way of talking and being that is just like on tv - but its for real, and in person, and alive, and personal because its in the street or the seat next to me.

The way people are is really expressive - Americans in general seem to be pretty loud and in this community there is a fair amout of body language that comes with it... And the feeling - the soul that makes gospel great - is all expressed. The good, the bad, the ugly. It's right out there. People are real about what they feel. People are expressive about the Lord. The flamboyance (compared to NZ) of normal life translates into musical magic.

So, you get lyrics like:

• 'You might not be able to pay your bills, but it aint over... you might be in trouble, the tide might be high - but wait! It aint over! It aint over! It aint over! The Lord will see you through.'

I love that the songs are so positive. It is such a refreshing contrast to my experience of those NZ pentecostal soppy songs that can be about me and my problems, or just meaningful songs that are soppy and heart-wrenching... These are shake-your-booty reminders of the goodness of the Lord. These are songs that invite us to lift our heads up, lift our eyes up - to see the goodness of God. They truly celebrate the life of God in us. So, you get lyrics like:

• 'Fire! Fire! Fire! Shut up. Shut up in my bones... I've got the fire. Fire, it 's shut up in my bones...'
• My help cometh from the Lord
• You'll find peace joy and contentment in the word of the Lord

Maybe its because these are mostly celebratory performances, and this is the music that jazz fest 'consumers' want to hear. But, there is something to be said for the musical excellence, the showmanship, the performance side of what I seeing. And again - it makes sense here - it is a pretty natural extension of who lives here- I can't imagine the martyr-like-modesty of Wellington churches working here. People would fall over laughing, leave in droves, or just be completely baffled about why NZers are so careful not to be too expressive. Nah!! Let it all hang out! The worries, the joys, real life - and make it fun!

Gospel music rocks. Its natural, it just comes out, and it's an inspiring, heart-lifting show.

Oh, and I've realised, for all I thought I might have a little bit of that black 'some'in' - i have nothing!!!! My voice is white, I move white, I think white. I am white. But thank the Lord I can love what black music and the black church offers to the rest of us to learn from and enjoy ; )

I AM LOVING IT!!!