is an outstanding 25-track portrait of the legendary gospel singer in all of her glory. Listening to early sides like and "Surely God Is Able," it's easy to understand her influence on the likes of and . These powerful songs are primal blasts of energy with all the cathartic transcendence more commonly attributed to rock & roll. Closer to R&B than any of her contemporaries, also flirts playfully with the blues on cuts like and even dabbles in country on a cover of 's Whatever the setting, however, her voice is a marvel of improvisatory brilliance, her soprano never less than devastating. This is gospel at its finest. ~ Jason Ankeny