Q, I agree with your points.

Also, in case it might be miscontrued, I gather your use of the word funny in your sentence "Crouch's song is gospel (I got the 'soft rock' from a thread discussing his music; I thought it was funny, but in truth he does have that touch)." that funny means "somewhat strange".

For what it's worth, I agree with your statement that Crouch's music has a touch {actually more that a touch} of R&B. Notice I substituted "R&B" for "rock". I think that nowadays many African Americans associate the music genre "Rock" with "Punk Rock" or "Acid Rock", ot other genres of Rock and not with Rock & RoLL. On other words, in my not so humble opinion {on this matter}, most Black Americans associate the term "rock" with "White people's music" and might be dismiss any article on Andrae Crouch's music out of hand just because the author described that music as "sort of rock". My bet is that the author of that article you referred to is White.

Re your statements:

"Gospel means different things to different Mudcatters. How about the revival songs of the post-Civil War? Sacred Harp?

And fer land's sakes, take off the urban blinkers and see gospel as the mix it is, grounded in blues, jazz and rural gospel. It is 'Country Come to Town!' after a couple of generations."
-snip-

I'm not sure if you were talking only to me, but I certainly am in strong agreement with what you are saying.

As to the how bout questions, yes, how bout them.

But after all, those subjects are off-topic. This is a thread for more African American spirituals.

Occassionally, as some people ;o) tend to go off topic, there may be Black gospel songs posted to or discussed in this thread, but it would be done with the understanding that known gospel songs are not part of the AA Spirituals Permathread.