Sister Rosetta Tharpe: Live in France (2024 Record Store Day Release)

Sister Rosetta Tharpe’s influence is colossal, and Live in France is a scorching reminder of why.

This 2024 Record Store Day release captures her electric gospel guitar and powerhouse vocals in a way that only vinyl can render. Her energy jumps from the grooves, uncompromising and joyful, demanding attention from anyone within earshot.

From the opening chord, Tharpe’s fingerpicking drives each song with precision and fire. Her voice — both commanding and playful — rides the analog warmth like it was born for it.

The live recording captures audience reactions, subtle room acoustics, and a spontaneity that streaming can’t hold.

Listening to “Down by the Riverside” on vinyl is transformative. You feel the strings vibrate through the air, the pedalboard nuances under her foot, the crowd’s swell in the space around you.

It’s both performance and conversation, each song an invitation to participate in the moment.

This record is not just history; it’s immediacy. Live in France proves that gospel, rock, and soul fuse best under the needle’s gaze.

Put this on a turntable, and you’re not just listening — you’re witnessing.