Skip to main content

Powerhouse for God

Various Artists
Powerhouse for God This two-album set is at once soundscape and the devout voices of a fiery southern Baptist preacher named Brother John Sherfey, his family, and their congregational worship community in the Blue Ridge region of rural Virginia. Remastered from the recordings originally published as LPs in 1982 by University of North Carolina Press, the singing, sermon and oral history heard here were captured in 1977 and 1978 and are a vital slice near the outset of a decade of inquiry by folklorist and ethnomusicologist Jeff Todd Titon. [A book (1988) and film (1989), also entitled Powerhouse for God, are also available.] Two volumes, extensive documentation in accompanying 24-page booklet, with black and white photos.

Track Listing

icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
101
Nothing but the Blood John Sherfey and Congregation 04:06
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
102
Meet Me There John Sherfey and Congregation 03:42
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
103
Altar prayer Jesse Comer and Congregation 04:11
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
104
Sunday school (excerpt) Jesse Comer and Congregation 07:04
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
105
Birthday John Sherfey and Congregation 02:08
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
106
I Shall Not Be Moved / This Little Light of Mine Denise Sherfey, Tammy Sherfey, and Missy Owens 00:57
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
107
I'm So Glad He Found Me Betty, Arthur, Welford and Rosalee Cave 02:46
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
108
Preaching by the Roadside John Sherfey and Pauline Sherfey 04:13
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
109
The Little Church Aisle Belvin Hurt and Delores Hurt Fincham 03:03
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
110
Precious Memories John Sherfey, Elsie Sherfey McNally and Don Sherfey 05:13
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
111
I Saw the Face of Jesus Betty, Arthur, Welford and Rosalee Cave 02:36
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
112
Healing Prayer John Sherfey and Congregation 02:08
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
113
Testimony Edith Cubbage 05:14
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
201
Sermon, Invitation and Prayer John Sherfey 30:22
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
202
Life story John Sherfey 30:56