In this episode of Music: The Unifying Force, Janis Siegel and Yusuf Gandhi explore the blues and gospel as a global language of emotion. Moving from early American blues and gospel to Indian ghazals, Sufi qawwali, African choral traditions, and desert blues from North Africa, they trace shared musical structures like call-and-response, harmony, and storytelling. Along the way, they reflect on legendary artists, sacred spaces, and lived experiences that show how music transcends culture, religion, and history—proving that while the sounds may change, the feeling remains the same.

Songs in the Podcast

MARY LOU WILLIAMS: THE RAG OF RAGS

BESSIE SMITH: NOBODY KNOWS YOU WHEN YOU’RE DOWN AND OUT.

PLAY ROBERT JOHNSON – CROSSROADS

THE DIXIE HUMMINGBIRDS – BEDSIDE OF A NEIGHBOUR

THE GOLDEN GATE QUARTET – ATOM AND EVIL

SAM COOKE AND THE SOUL STIRRERS – TOUCH THE HEM OF HIS GARMENT

BIG MAMA THORNTON - HOUND DOG

NDLOVU YOUTH CHOIR - BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY

PETER GABRIEL, JOAN OSBORNE, GLORIA ESTEFAN, NATALIE MERCHANT, NUSRAT FATEH ALI KHAN

For a deeper dive, visit www.musictheunifyingforce.com to explore playlists, links, and more insights into the stories behind the music.Listen Now on Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music | YouTube

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