AIN'T THAT GOOD NEWS

Created on 12/01/2009
Latest update on 17/10/2024

Artist: Birmingham Jubilee Singers
Author: traditional
Label: Columbia
Year: 1929

First line: I got a robe in that Kingdom. Reissued on Document.

Covers:

1934:

Bat & her Quartet with Monroe Bowdrey [John A. Lomax recording on Smithers plantation in Huntsville, TX for the L.o.C.]

1939:

Heavenly Gospel Singers

1948:

Pilgrim Travelers [first line: I've got a home in that Kingdom; the version Sam Cooke knew]

1951:

Bells Of Joy [as Let's Talk About Jesus for Peacock; labelboss Don Rowey was responsible for the beat]

1951:

Bailey Gospel Singers [as I've Got A Saviour for Columbia, crediting Thomas Ward]

1953:

Southern Tones [Texas gospel as It Must Be Jesus, for Duke]

1954:

Ray Charles [n°1 R&B as I've Got A Woman; the idea to link R&B with gospel came from his trumpet player Renald Richard, who was credited all right]

1955:

Jo Stafford [as I Got A Sweetie]

1956:

Elvis Presley [as I Got A Woman on his debut LP; the first in line to appreciate this R&B-gospel link; millionseller]

1958:

Little Walter [as Walkin' On; instrumental with Muddy Waters on guitar]

1961:

Staple Singers [as Good News with the intro of What'd I Say]

1962:

Jimmy McGriff [as I Got A Woman]

1963:

Beatles [idem; for the BBC]

1963:

Rick Nelson [idem]

1963:

Freddie Scott [idem]

1964:

Sam Cooke [knew The Pilgrim Travelers' version]

1966:

Them [as I Got A Woman]

1971:

Delaney Bramlett [as I've Got A Woman]

1994:

Otis Rush

2005:

Kanye West [as Gold Digger; n°1 US, n°1 AUS, n°2 UK; vocals by Jamie Foxx from the Ray biopic]

2015:

Amy Helm [as Good News]

Ray Charles' I've Got A Woman borrows lyrically from spiritual Ain't That Good News, where the "got a woman"-line was an "I've got a crown, a harp, a robe..." and "I got a father, a mother..." in that John A. Lomax field recording.

Contact


If you noticed blunt omissions, mis-interpretations or even out-and-out errors,
please let me know:

Arnold Rypens
Rozenlaan 65
B-2840 Reet (Rumst)
Belgium

info@originals.be

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