Phil Cook’s Spiritual Helpline
From Bon Iver, Hiss Golden Messenger, & Megafaun to Gospel Glory
After being affiliated with Bon Iver, Hiss Golden Messenger, and Megafaun – and releasing a series of his own acclaimed solo projects, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer Phil Cook surprised many with the launch of his new roots gospel label, Spiritual Helpline, and producing a rousing new live roots Gospel album by North Carolina local legends, The Branchettes. Though the group was formed over a half-century ago, they never recorded a live album until now. The soul-stirring experience was captured in the documentary film, Stay Prayed Up, which is currently available on demand and is screening at film festivals around the country. Cook – who is forty years younger than the last surviving original member of the group – now says the only records he will buy are Gospel records. He has found his purpose.
We’ll hear all about Phil Cook’s amazing musical journey – from his youth in northern Wisconsin to his migration to North Carolina with his creative community – to pursuing his love of Gospel up close and personal. What started with a keyboard session for The Blind Boys of Alabama has commandeered his whole creative path and he could not be more thrilled.
When we crank up the Jukebox, we will dive deeper into Mother Perry’s story from the film and will listen more closely to the live album she made with Cook and his insanely good band.
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MUSIC LIST
Opening
Phil Keaggy & Rex Paul – Full Circle (podcast theme)
The Branchettes – Come By Here
Phil Cook – Ain’t It Sweet; Brothers; Frazee, MN
Thomas Rhyant – I Will Trust In the Lord
Interview Segment One
Phil Cook – Cherry Ball Blues; Take Your Burden to the Lord and Leave It There; DL’s Holler; Alone; Hey Aretha; Great Tide
DeYarmond Edison – Dusty Road (So Kind); No Depression
Bon Iver – Minnesota, WI
Megafaun – Carolina Days; Hope You Know
Hiss Golden Messenger – O Little Light
The Spiritual Helpline Revue ft. Mother Lena Perry – If You Can’t Help Me
Gayngs – Cry
The Staple Singers – Swing Down Chariot (Let Me Ride)
Rev. Clay Evans – It’s Gonna Rain
The Edwin Hawkins Singers – O Happy Day
Aretha Franklin – The Old Landmark
Rev. Louis Overstreet – Holiness Dance
The Blind Boys of Alabama – Somebody’s Gone; My God Is Real
JUKEBOX
The Branchettes – Walk With Me; Walk Through The Streets; I Don’t Feel No Ways Tired; You Can’t Hurry God; If It Wasn’t for the Lord; Lay Down My Life; He Was There All The Time
And featuring clips from the film “Stay Prayed Up”
Interview Segment Two
Phil Cook – Belong; Colored Aristocracy; Sitting on a Fence; The Truth; When the Saints (ft. Mother Lena Perry); Bicycle Kids; Dobro Improvisation #3; Gary for Moose; Aubade in Fmajor; Queen of Branches
The Branchettes – God Will Take Care of You
Thomas Rhyant – Ain’t No Need to Worry
The Angelic Gospel Singers – Touch Me, Lord Jesus
Wilbur Tharpe – We Will Work Till Jesus Comes
Closing
Phil Keaggy & Rex Paul – Full Circle (podcast theme)
The Branchettes – Let the Church Say Amen
If you liked this episode, don’t miss our previous Gospel music explorations. Myron Butler discussed the musical legacy of Andrae Crouch with us, (and we dove deep into the Amazing Grace album by Aretha on the Jukebox,) and we talked with young contemporary Gospel artist DOE earlier this year (with a special Jukebox exploration of the music of Stevie Wonder in the 70s with our special guest Aaron “A-Train” Smith.)
