Several weeks ago, I read an article about this specific interaction between a group of African-American gospel singers visiting the Hebrides and their host congregation. It was published in the "Travel" section of the New Orleans Sunday Times-Picayune. I briefly considered posting something about it here at Mudcat, but never got around to it. I'm glad it's coming to light via BBC TV.

I'm not taking a position on how valid the argument might be without hearing the music in question. I hope the BBC documentary finds its way to US TV sometime soon so I can listen and make up my mind.

In general, I think it's obvious that Black gospel, like the blues and all other African-American musical forms, combines European and African influences in some way. If there's something special about this particular Scots/Gaelic style of church singing that is especially evident in Black American gospel, I'd love to hear it.