Tharpe, Sister Rosetta - Gospel Train (Expanded Edition)

Although she never strayed too far from her gospel roots, the great Sister Rosetta Tharpe pioneered a sound that younger admirers, such as Chuck Berry, Little Richard and Elvis Presley, would mold into rock & roll.

Tharpe was one of the few female electric guitarists of her day. She played the guitar not just to accompany herself but as a lead instrument, and she ornamented her songs with intricate fingerpicking and flashy R&B licks.

Presented here is one of her finest LPs, cut during the zenith of her abilities: the masterpiece, Gospel Train (1957).