Sister Rosetta Tharpe - Gospel Train (Verve Vault)

Sister Rosetta Tharpe - Gospel Train returns as part of the Verve Vault series, presenting the pioneering 1956 album in an all-analogue 180g vinyl edition. An undisputed architect of modern rock and roll, Tharpe fused electric guitar-driven blues with traditional gospel long before that combination became a cornerstone of popular music.

Originally issued on Mercury Records, Gospel Train was also Tharpe's first album available on the then-new 12-inch long-playing format. The polished studio setting placed her distinctive voice and guitar alongside first-call session musicians, including vocal quartet the Harmonizing Four. Songs such as Up Above My Head There's Music in the Air, Jericho and 99 1/2 Won't Do showcase the force and originality that made her influence so enduring.

This Verve Vault pressing is cut all-analogue from the original master tapes by Ryan K. Smith at Sterling Sound and pressed on 180-gram vinyl. Released 11 September 2026, it offers a premium archival presentation of a foundational gospel, blues and early rock recording.