I can't figure out why I love gospel music so much. My high-minded liberal intellectualism won't let me sing this stuff during church services, although I confess that I'll occasionally do some gospel before Mass. It's so darn much fun to sing.
I guess my three favorite gospel albums are Angel Band, by Emmylou Harris; On Praying Ground, by Doc Watson; and the (mostly) a cappella gospel album called How Can I Keep From Singing, by Marley's Ghost. It's really hard to choose, though. I'd also recommend recordings by Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver; and the gospel stuff by the Oak Ridge Boys and the Statler Brothers is really a lot of fun (I love their bass singers). If you like black gospel, try the Fairfield Four and the Golden Gate Quartet.
Oh, I love this stuff.
-Joe Offer-