"Keep Your Hand On The Plow" (Live)- Mahalia Jackson

[brandonh72]

I just love the picture with this video. You can totally tell her pianist looked out for her. Her eyes just scream, "Watch that hand, son." Love it!!

[mrjaredshelton]

Simply. The. Best. Ever.

[NiTAP00H96]

Ohhh Yess!

[KushClock420]

they dont sing like this anymore or better yet they CANT sing like this anymore

[KushClock420]

they dont sing like this anymore

[buddyeagle]

Shout Sister shout!

[27NAG]

I love her southern voice, Miss Mahalia Jackson rest in peace

[corinne54]

She's channeling the divine with her voice!

[PierreGarin]

You can feel Mahalia is giving the best, she comes out of herself...gorgious! Once again, thank you for posting this!

[hannahr77]

Mahalia can't wait ot hear you sing in heaven

[jeanhaliburtonwills]

holy crap that's great

[ELVIS4221]

For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower there of falleth away:

But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word by the gospel is preached unto you.

KEEP YOU HAND ON THE PLOW HOLD ON.

WE LIFT OUR EYES TO THE HEAVENS.

WE ARE WAITING FOR YOU, OH LOVING REDEEMER, WE WAIT AND PRAY.

WE PRAY YOU REMEBER US WHEN YOU ENTER INTO YOUR KINGDOM.

[Incyinks]

I love this version!

[haphaeston]

I have a qustion what happen to Mildred Falls her piano player... somebody talk

[Rowoches]

@haphaeston: What do you mean by "What happened?" I can tell you that she died in 1972, not long after Mahalia. Actually, Mildred Falls and Mahalia's 2 ex-husbands, Ike Hockenhull and Sigmund Galloway, all passed the same year as Mahalia. Is that what you were referring to?

[haphaeston]

@Rowoches almost seemed I angered you with the question

[Rowoches]

@haphaeston: Nope, not at all. It was just a vague question and I was trying to get an idea of what you were referring to.

[thegrits523]

@Rowoches Isn't that something. I've heard of Marriages being that way, One goes and the other not long after. Apparently they were very close. A bitter sweet.

[reynald119]

Mildred was such a natural with Mahalia...her rifts were a "shot in the arm." I met them both backstage at the Masonic Auditorium on Nob Hill, San Francisco.

[joshuathemusician]

@reynald119

Cool! What was that experience like?

[captainoze]

Mahalia is my favorite. I wish I could have seen her live at a concert on this side of heaven. Anyways, When I get to heaven I know she will be there.

[BoudiccaBlanc]

Rowoches,

Thank you for posting this rendition of "Hand on the Plough" :-)

Duke and Mahalia ... it doesn't get any better than this! :-)

[1joker88]

I can just see her sashayin', grinnin' and clappin' all over that stage... 

[Kaibyl]

Keep your hand on the plow and hold on....

[RayBeckerman]

I guess she liked Duke Ellington, because she really went into the stratosphere with this rendition.

Thank God for Mahalia Jackson.

What a great, great lady.

[wcta0608]

Sounds they were variating off Mildreds rifts. Duke carried some of the greatest musicians in his band and they were gifted at improvising...sometimes to Duke's dismay lol

[karolynruffin1]

Oh! I remember Richard Smallwood sung a similar song. I enjoy both versions. Oh oh I am getting ready to start singing. I feel it.  Right here! In the center of me!

[karolynruffin1]

@karolynruffin1 Cant find it on YT, but it went something like this: "Keep your hand on the plow, hold on! Keep your hand on the plow, Hold on, hold on! When Satan is on your track, trying hard to hold you back, dont you ever give up, keep looking up... Hold on!"

[michaelrowedtheboat]

One of my favorite songs, sung by my favorite singer, what a beautiful woman, we will meet in paradise one Day. Thanks for posting a great number! Michael

[Daymo02]

The saints of God should make sure they have there hands on the plow and hold on. THANK YOU JESUS

[ybrown1131]

Thank you for posting this...This is very nice..

[IntuitSpirit]

What happens when two greats come together:

MAGIC

Amen!

[decembergirl28]

what is she saying at 3:54 through 4:11???

[Rowoches]

I don't have the actual recording playing at this time, but would you happen to be referring to the portion where she says, "I remember one day I was walking alone, the element open but I saw no one."

[decembergirl28]

I love this....these old song are the best!

[myiira]

i m searching for the sheet for this song. may someone help me ? thank u

[shoegal384]

its called hold on

[myiira]

u mean i find the sheet under the name of ''hold on''? thank u

[shoegal384]

yes i cant remember the artist but thats what i mean

[PennTrafford]

Duke gave the song a real New Orleans sound, which is appropriate since Mahalia was born and grew up in New Orleans. She loved the exuberant clarinets, brass and percussion sounds of New Orleans gospel bands.

[1joker88]

I wonder if she rehearsed with Duke's band, or they just followed and caught on?

[Rowoches]

I think they just followed and caught on.

[khalil4ulove]

@1joker88 That is called impromptu!!!!

[KittiesJason]

you're right sweetpea!,....and as soon as I can come across some of her material,...which is buried somewhere deep within family I hardly see,...there will be no hesitation!!! thank you!

[KittiesJason]

My beautiful grandmother,...the late, great Ann Seals sang with Mahalia Jackson in the late 60's early 70's,...and even released a couple of gospel albums of her own,...but her career never took off the way we'd hoped,...but to hear my grandmother's beautiful voice,...bearing great resemblance to Ms. Jacksons' mind you,....well,....my grandmother left you breathless and closer to God,....(I love you Mama Ann!) Smile

[1joker88]

If you have any way of doing it, you should post some of Ms. Seals music on youtube...

[ThatsABiggon]

OH MY GOD!!!!!! Bone chilling

[SISTEREDNA]

Mahalia was a spiritual singer to the core but she rocked them like a New,Orleans, blues shouter in the same vain of the obcsure blues singer Ada Brown, wonderful!!!!!!

[toniwhite12]

and she said this was her first time singing it if it was shae can sing anything!!!! lol

[Rowoches]

Yeah, she was referring to "Come Sunday." I think she did a great job.

[swdanielson]

LOL it's funny how the orchestra suddenly creeps into song. It's like they were awestruck or stunned. What's the story? Incredible performance!!!!

[bullycatmom]

Is that Mildred tearing it up on the piano? Sang Mother!

[Rowoches]

Yes, that's Mildred Falls.

[MUZIKNFILMZ]

SANG IT HALIE!!--I love when she gets happy and starts shouting and growling!

[hymn214]

rowoches. I am thought I had most of Mahalia's live recordings. Can you tell me what album this was on or where u found it MAGNIFICENT !!

[Rowoches]

It's on Duke Ellington's LIVE AT NEWPORT, 1958 album. It's hard to find...it took me years to get it, but I finally did. Because it's Duke Ellington's portion of the Newport concert, Mahalia only does 2 songs; "Come Sunday" and "Keep Your Hand On The Plow." It was taped the night before Mahalia's big concert, which can be found on CD.

[BashaaniN]

WOW!!! WOW!!! And WOW again!!! LOL!!

Doesn't this sound like Mahalia Jackson on Apollo? She really saved her true magnificence for live audiences rather than studio recordings.

[novembertalespinner]

It was good advice then and it is good advice now.

I am so glad to know that the foundations of our faith and the music that substained our elders is still available to nourish and encourage us.

Thanks for blessing us with your efforts. I am having some church and getting my praise on while listening to Mahalia's voice!

Be blessed and continue to preserve our history to God's glory!

[tikkunsoulam]

The growling at the C range, she was in Excellent voice. The song that she is referring to in the beginning has to be Come Sunday or the 23rd Psalm, two Ellington COmpositions that would have worried the Queen. I am a die-hard Mahalia collector and I am truly impressed and what started as a boring Saturday night has resulted in a week to look forward to. Then she goes back into it......GO Head Mahalia.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!

[khalil4ulove]

Brother Joshua,

I'm glad to know that you are keeping the "spirit" of Mahalia alive..... I wonder if you considered highlighting other gospel singers as well.

[tikkunsoulam]

I grew up listening to Halie as a child so I naturally do Mahalia. There is nothing that I do to my voice to sound like her. I try to do Louie Armstrong (it kind of hurts when I do it) but I listened to Mahalia for 27 years. so its hard for me not to sound like her. Most singers have an inspiration and even Mahalia sounded a little like Bessie Smith.(Blues) She took styling from her and applied to Gospel music. I took what I learned from Mahalia and applied it to Jewish Music.

[tikkunsoulam]

This is absolutely AWESOME. DUDE YOU ARE THE MAN. This is Joshua Nelson and thank the Lord for Posting this!!!! This is THEE most original and Rare song on youtube. Please mail me a copy. I have a reel from Columbia Records signed by Irving townsend that was never released. I thought that was rare. Her voice is Exceptional. I mean a full hitting C. The fact that the band actually comes in makes it so more the rare. The dialogue with her speaking and Duke talking................speechl­ess.......

[khalil4ulove]

I am also a diehard Mahalia Fan myself. I can hear Bessie Smith and I can hear operatics and other sounds. I guess my question to you is how can I get out there and find instrumentalists who have a joy of playing. I have the joy of singing.

[tikkunsoulam]

Where are you located? I am a pianist/organist and I play the soon to be forgotten "Old Way of Playing" and boy am I dedicated. I would not learn contemporary Jazz chords so as to keep the music unadulterated, so to speak, from later influences and styles that take away from the original structure of old gospel music which does change the feeling of Old Gospel Music. The simpler the chord, the more traditional the sound.

[tikkunsoulam]

For example, in Mahalia's style, she would NEVER use an electric bass. The "Let There be Peace on Earth album, produced by HPBarnum, is an example of such. It's one of the rare albums that we try to forget, one of Mahalia's last. Its a little Jazzy to bring her up to date with the late 60's early 70's. The pop stuff didnt really fit her. Her preference was piano and organ. For recordings they would add drums and a bass. But an acoustic Bass. This kept the Traditional sound.

[tikkunsoulam]

Duke's style fit her as well, but because of the "strict" church and their ill perception of Jazz, the Church world really didnt support this and Mahalia was aware of this. So,she was hesistant to record with Duke, although personally, I feel, it brought out a more artistic Mahalia. It let us see her as a superb "artist" rather than just an anointed singer. SO this recording is very rare because it captures the "artistic" Mahalia and she bridges the gap here going to church with Duke.

[DYNODRUM]

Yes - and a great find to hear ,with The DUKE .. Was not aware they collaboreted....

[TheFirecogicuk]

She used electric bass in some of her later recordings

[BashaaniN]

How ironic, not taking from what you are saying, but the "Old Way of Playing" was influenced by Jazz Music to begin with. Years ago in the larger churches pipe organs accompanied choirs and congregations in the mainline churches. When the idiom now known as Gospel was birthed... The layers of the foundation Thomas Dorsey, Arizona Dranes and early pianists played barrelhouse and ragtime styles. If you listen to Mahalia's first recordings you will hear this style also. Secular and Sacred...hmm...

[khalil4ulove]

I currently reside in Charlotte, NC. Charlotte reminds one of how chicago was in Mahalia's earlier years: the churches here leave much to be desired.... The music does not really touch the soul of Blacks here. I recently went to a church singfest in Spartenburg, SC. The folks down there sing the old way with the singers' chants,curliques, long held notes, and jubilee shouts. When our choir sang, we did the "con"--- temporary songs and it did not get the folks on their feet. I HATE THAT.

[1joker88]

"Reel" as in song? What song?

[travisa81]

I Love it. Man you have the best stuff by Mahalia Jackson.

[teaj0789]

hey hey hey hey gloryyyyyyyyyy!!! yes suh!!!!!! Hold on saints!!

[1joker88]

made me wanna cut a rug...

[sparcusmarcu]

Love it! Thanks for posting this

[kbolden07]

Play Mildred

[vsumass]

this song is off da chain.........