Gospel music really varies. The more country like variety of Southern Gospel can be very good. Alan Jackson recorded a gospel CD called Precious Memories, and it is one of my favorites. While I don't want to listen to it all the time, this variety of Gospel can be very relaxing and inspirational.

Many Black Gospel artists are very talented, but it's just not my thing.

And then there is the stuff that still tends to fall under Gospel that is recorded by white guys whose bands don't have a single fiddle. I can't stand that stuff.

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Even God is with me here...

At its best, its incredible, magnificent and stirring music that deeply resonates.  A unique sound, and well worth hearing, regardless of your religious beliefs.

I'm fonder of the Black gospel style than the Southern style, but both can be very stirring.

I will break this rating down as the two things most people think of when they hear this term, which is Black Gospel and Southern Gospel -- both of which I highly appreciate.

Black Gospel covers a wide range from classic artists like Mahalia Jackson, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, and the Highway Q.C.s to the contemporary Winans Family, Trin-i-tee, and Nicole C. Mullen, along with much of the choral-based (Edwin Hawkins) and the jazz-flavored (like Ben Tankard).  Then there is Southern Gospel, which many people stereotype as merely "country music with Christian lyrics" when it is actually a lot more broad than people think it is.  Of course, there are the traditional male quartets, and some that indeed have a country flavor (like the McKameys and the Isaacs) to their music.  But people who don't necessarily care for the genre as a whole (for the stereotypes I described above) should try artists like Janet Paschal (music charts have compared her stylisticly with Bette Midler; go figure!), the Martins, and the Crabb Family (whose collection of songs cover just about the broadest range of styles one could imagine), Charles Johnson (who has a classic R&B style like the late Ray Charles used to have) and the Pfeifers (for swing and big band fans), and the list just goes on.

As with Christian, Gospel really has no set style.  To me, the two terms are interchangeable, referring to music of pretty much any style with Christ-honoring lyrics.  That's my basic view of it, anyway.

I've no time for religion but there's something very stirring and uplifting about seeing a big live gospel choir at full voice. I dont think it translates well to any other medium though.

I think Gospel only works in a Luther Vandross song or an 80's song (Like A Prayer, for example) using choirs...otherwise, I will not listen to it on my own. Too loud. I like the Instrumental, Christian Contemporary Music way better. And some of it sounds like New Age, too. It's weird that they praise God while being loud and stuff, why not praise Him while being quiet? I also prefer quiet churches, with pianos instead of loud organs, because they turn it up too loud. This is all very funny, since I'm a Black teen living in an Urban area! O_o;However I give this a 3...but most gospel songs don't appeal to me...

Too much jumping and screaming. I hate that darn organ sound, and a tremendous amount of oversinging.

I don't know anyting about it. I don't own one gospel album. . .but as a pasty-face white kid, I can recall the fascination of this music growing up in an urban area. Artistic gospel music is inspiring and wonderful. It has a sound that is completely unique.

Some of the very best singing on the planet-whether you're a believer or not.Check out the Staples Singers.WOW!!!