Wonderful! Again a beautiful surprise...I've been looking for songs of Mahalia a bit everywhere in Europe and United States, and sometimes I felt it was so difficult to find...thanks to the internet we can share those wonderful treasures. Once more, thank you Rowoches...
@Rowoches You're a great soul for preserving her legacy. Beyond that you have the interests of humanity at heart, which is a great credit to you. I deeply appreciate these postings, as they brighten my life, give me hope and strength and a deep respect for Mahalia Jackson.
The song is actually called God Specializes and has been recorded by most all of the early caravan singers like shirley caesar and Albertina walker and such.
Thanks for your comment. Yes, you're right. The song is indeed titled "God Specializes" and I've heard several people sing it. However, under Mahalia's recordings (the 45 it comes from, etc), it's titled "Have You Any Rivers," and that's why I titled it as that.
@Lelandphx I just want to set the record straight on this song. It was written in 1931 by Oscar Carl Eliason, an evangelist in the Iron Range area of Minnesota. He wrote it after being healed of tubercuosis, which had claimed the life of his brother. The original text was inspired by the slogan used by a company that helped build the Panama Canal. Mr. Eliason revised the slogan and added verses. He didn't copyright it until much later, and several versions are now sung under differing titles.
On a 45 only. Don't have it with me as I'm getting ready to move, but it's a keeper, definately. Hope Sony releases her singles on disc sometime soon. Ever hear the 45 version of "Trouble"? Unbelievable!!
True. It's titled "God Specializes" under Roberta Martin's name, as well as some others who have recorded it, but under Mahalia's name, it's titled "Have You Any Rivers"...it's a slightly different arrangement.
There were so many beautiful contemporary Christian songs written and first introduced during the 1960s. They were lovely sweet songs and gained very wide appeal, in the 'Godless '60's', in a way that Christian songs would never garner wide appeal today.
It is so amazing, looking over that vast repertoire, how many of those songs that Mahalia became THE standard-bearer that we remember most today. This is one of them. Thanks for posting!
(Continued) Notice how Mahalia croons and exhibits the same falsetto she employed on "God is So Good," which had been her great comeback with gospel fans. I melt everytime she curlicues her way into the word "specializes." The flip side of this record, "For My Good Fortune" briefly hit the pop charts. By the way Robert Banks also produced Clara's "America the Beautiful," Back then. he was dreaming an impossible dream.
A lot of story behind this one. Mahalia actually recorded this arrangement (by James Cleveland) two weeks before Gloria Griffin cut her classic with the Martins. My guess is that Chicago had just woken up to the charms of this old Salvation Army song. Pianist is Robert Banks, organist on most of the great Savoy tracks of the period; and organist is Dickie Mitchell, who had just accompanied Mahalia at the 1958 Newport concert!
oh yeah, what is the history behind this pic? also there's another i meant to ask you all aboot- it's of her belting oot a song in color. She's wearing a pink dress and has one leg a little hiked up.
Not sure of the story behind this picture, but it looks like the same dress she wore in Europe, when doing "Joshua Fit The Battle."
Are you talking about the pink dress she wore when singing "When The Saints Go Marching In." I've seen a couple pictures from a photo shoot like that. One, she's belting out something with both of her hands in a fist. The other looks like she clapping and lookin up....
OOOHHH! You mean the one when she's kinda leaning to the side. I don't know the story behind that one. I do believe it was at some political function though. Everytime I see that picture, I think she's singing "Elijah Rock." LOL!
the greatest voice in gospels i
mestlflower 7 months ago
Wonderful! Again a beautiful surprise...I've been looking for songs of Mahalia a bit everywhere in Europe and United States, and sometimes I felt it was so difficult to find...thanks to the internet we can share those wonderful treasures. Once more, thank you Rowoches...
PierreGarin 1 year ago
great
nellie2581 1 year ago
I love this song..... The mountains will move, the doors that are closed in your face will open because God specializes.
khalil4ulove 1 year ago
This version is more soulful! Mahalia the Great!!!!!!!!!!!
PrettyVillan 2 years ago 2
I've always loved this song and I'v always loved Mahalia. But right here.... its all about the WIG!!!! LOL
brondo1012 3 years ago 2
If she don't wear it the Wards will. lol
blessedover 3 years ago
LOL
swdanielson 2 years ago
What is she saying at 2:15?
1joker88 3 years ago
Have you any rivers?
Well, well, have you any mountains?
And does the way seem blind for you?
Yes, God specializes
In things that seems impossible
He will move those rivers
And those mountains for you.
Rowoches 3 years ago
@Rowoches You're a great soul for preserving her legacy. Beyond that you have the interests of humanity at heart, which is a great credit to you. I deeply appreciate these postings, as they brighten my life, give me hope and strength and a deep respect for Mahalia Jackson.
Billinindiana 1 year ago
This is beautiful
109RainyBaby 3 years ago
The song is actually called God Specializes and has been recorded by most all of the early caravan singers like shirley caesar and Albertina walker and such.
Lelandphx 3 years ago
Thanks for your comment. Yes, you're right. The song is indeed titled "God Specializes" and I've heard several people sing it. However, under Mahalia's recordings (the 45 it comes from, etc), it's titled "Have You Any Rivers," and that's why I titled it as that.
Rowoches 3 years ago
Rowoches: When was it recorded? It is just beautiful.
Billinindiana 2 years ago
@Lelandphx I just want to set the record straight on this song. It was written in 1931 by Oscar Carl Eliason, an evangelist in the Iron Range area of Minnesota. He wrote it after being healed of tubercuosis, which had claimed the life of his brother. The original text was inspired by the slogan used by a company that helped build the Panama Canal. Mr. Eliason revised the slogan and added verses. He didn't copyright it until much later, and several versions are now sung under differing titles.
PaleWriter1 9 months ago
I am loving the wig...
BashaaniN 3 years ago
Love Mahalia's vocals on this song....was it ever released commercially? Wouldn't have been a big hit.
PrettyVillan 3 years ago
As a 45, yes.....
Rowoches 3 years ago
On a 45 only. Don't have it with me as I'm getting ready to move, but it's a keeper, definately. Hope Sony releases her singles on disc sometime soon. Ever hear the 45 version of "Trouble"? Unbelievable!!
tas5904 2 years ago
where can i find this
blessedover 3 years ago
I saw it on eBay a long time ago, but other than that, I'm not certain of where it can be found.
Rowoches 3 years ago
This is so fantastic. When and where was it recorded? It's so beautiful.
Billinindiana 3 years ago
where did you find this song?
travisa81 3 years ago
A friend of mine from Europe sent it to me a looong time ago.
Rowoches 3 years ago
I love it regardless though!! Thanks for posting
javonnbright 3 years ago
No problem.
Rowoches 3 years ago
I love this song, It's called God Specializes.
javonnbright 3 years ago
True. It's titled "God Specializes" under Roberta Martin's name, as well as some others who have recorded it, but under Mahalia's name, it's titled "Have You Any Rivers"...it's a slightly different arrangement.
Rowoches 3 years ago
There were so many beautiful contemporary Christian songs written and first introduced during the 1960s. They were lovely sweet songs and gained very wide appeal, in the 'Godless '60's', in a way that Christian songs would never garner wide appeal today.
It is so amazing, looking over that vast repertoire, how many of those songs that Mahalia became THE standard-bearer that we remember most today. This is one of them. Thanks for posting!
PennTrafford 3 years ago
(Continued) Notice how Mahalia croons and exhibits the same falsetto she employed on "God is So Good," which had been her great comeback with gospel fans. I melt everytime she curlicues her way into the word "specializes." The flip side of this record, "For My Good Fortune" briefly hit the pop charts. By the way Robert Banks also produced Clara's "America the Beautiful," Back then. he was dreaming an impossible dream.
appetancy 3 years ago
A lot of story behind this one. Mahalia actually recorded this arrangement (by James Cleveland) two weeks before Gloria Griffin cut her classic with the Martins. My guess is that Chicago had just woken up to the charms of this old Salvation Army song. Pianist is Robert Banks, organist on most of the great Savoy tracks of the period; and organist is Dickie Mitchell, who had just accompanied Mahalia at the 1958 Newport concert!
appetancy 3 years ago
I had always wondered if she used Mitchell on anything else.
1joker88 3 years ago
I love this song. It's very soothing. That's also a big wig, and a tasty looking ice-cream!
1joker88 3 years ago
Joker, you are sick. :) But I also love this song, and have recently come to love Gene Viale's version of "God Specializes".
MKD825 3 years ago
LOL! That's a microphone
Rowoches 3 years ago
oh, ok thanks! ;)
1joker88 3 years ago
LOLOL!
Rowoches 3 years ago
oh yeah, what is the history behind this pic? also there's another i meant to ask you all aboot- it's of her belting oot a song in color. She's wearing a pink dress and has one leg a little hiked up.
1joker88 3 years ago
Not sure of the story behind this picture, but it looks like the same dress she wore in Europe, when doing "Joshua Fit The Battle."
Are you talking about the pink dress she wore when singing "When The Saints Go Marching In." I've seen a couple pictures from a photo shoot like that. One, she's belting out something with both of her hands in a fist. The other looks like she clapping and lookin up....
Rowoches 3 years ago
it's on page 5 of your lyrics page actually...
1joker88 3 years ago
OOOHHH! You mean the one when she's kinda leaning to the side. I don't know the story behind that one. I do believe it was at some political function though. Everytime I see that picture, I think she's singing "Elijah Rock." LOL!
Rowoches 3 years ago