Audio By Carbonatix
The Swan Silvertones first performed “Only Believe” about 70 years ago, singing, “All things are possible if you only believe.” And so many years later, this haunting tune still moves Don McGlynn. It is one of the documentarian’s favorite hymns from his new film, Rejoice and Shout, which explores the weighty topic of gospel music.
The filmmaker usually focuses his lens on only one musician’s life and works. (His previous projects include documentaries about Howlin’ Wolf, Charles Mingus, and Glenn Miller.) But for this project, McGlynn took on an entire genre of music. In his words, Rejoice and Shout looks at “200 years of African-American Christian experience.”
Certainly, this film is about the songs, and it includes rare, wonderful footage and interviews with singers such as Mahalia Jackson, Sam Cooke, the Staple Singers, and the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi. But it is also about the political and spiritual journey of a people that has long expressed its history through music and performance, both in church and on secular stages.
As an Irish-American Catholic from Minnesota, McGlynn grew up with one-hour Catholic masses. So while he was making Rejoice and Shout, he was shocked to discover that gospel-filled Christian services require a full day’s devotion. “Which sounded painful to me when I first heard it,” he admits. But after experiencing a long afternoon of worship, he began to understand it was also about the joy of friends, food, and community.
In many ways, the filmmaker’s exploration of this influential musical genre ended up being a spiritual journey. And even though he hadn’t previously met R&B legend Smokey Robinson, he was surprised to find that, philosophically speaking, “almost everything Smokey Robinson said in the movie is exactly how I feel about those same issues.” McGlynn says of his interviews with Robinson: “He is the symbol of what I consider personal about this film.”
But Rejoice and Shout created more than unlikely connections for those involved with the film. Ultimately, it also crosses cultural lines and carefully approaches the unique history of African-Americans, the Holy Spirit, and beautiful voices raised up in praise.
