The Most Successful Gospel Album of All Time, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the gospel album you think is the most successful!
Updated on Apr 28, 2024 06:58
In a world filled with diverse musical tastes and preferences, gospel music holds a significant place in the hearts of many. It's not just about the melodies and rhythms; it’s a source of inspiration, comfort, and spiritual upliftment. Creating a list of the most successful gospel albums of all time helps fans connect with those impactful works that have shaped a genre renowned for its depth and expressiveness.
This curated list invites fans from around the globe to participate by casting their votes for the albums they believe truly resonate and leave a lasting legacy in the gospel music scene. Your inputs actively shape the rankings, giving a clearer picture of what resonates with the collective listener’s soul in the gospel music fraternity. Join us in this interactive celebration of gospel music’s finest achievements and see how your favorite albums perform against the rest.
What Is the Most Successful Gospel Album of All Time?
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168votes
"Amazing Grace" by Aretha Franklin
Aretha FranklinThis album is considered one of the greatest gospel albums of all time, featuring Franklin's powerful voice and iconic renditions of classic hymns.Amazing Grace is a live gospel album recorded by American singer Aretha Franklin. It was released in 1972 by Atlantic Records and holds the distinction of being the most successful gospel album of all time. The album features Franklin's captivating and soulful vocals, backed by a powerful choir and a live band. With its raw and authentic performances, Amazing Grace showcases Franklin's deep connection to her gospel roots and delivers a truly uplifting and spiritual experience.- Release Year: 1972
- Record Label: Atlantic Records
- Genre: Gospel
- Recording Style: Live
- Vocals: Aretha Franklin
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236votes
"The Clark Sisters' Family Christmas" by The Clark Sisters
The Clark SistersThis album has become a holiday staple among gospel music fans, showcasing the incredible vocal harmonies of the Clark Sisters.The Clark Sisters' Family Christmas is a gospel album released by the American gospel group The Clark Sisters. It is considered to be one of the most successful gospel albums of all time, particularly in the Christmas music genre. The album features a collection of traditional and contemporary Christmas songs performed with the signature harmonies and powerful vocals for which The Clark Sisters are known.- Genre: Gospel, Christmas music
- Release Date: November 6, 1986
- Label: Sound of Gospel
- Length: 39 minutes
- Producers: Elbertina 'Twinkie' Clark-Terrell, Michael H. Williams
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324votes
"Jesus Is King" by Kanye West
Kanye WestAlthough controversial, this album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and features West's unique take on gospel music.Jesus Is King is a gospel album by American rapper and producer Kanye West. It was released on October 25, 2019, and marks a significant departure from West's previous works as it is entirely focused on Christian themes. The album features a mix of gospel, hip-hop, and R&B elements, and incorporates West's own personal journey of faith and spirituality.- Release Date: October 25, 2019
- Genre: Gospel, Hip-hop, R&B
- Label: GOOD Music, Def Jam Recordings
- Track Listing: 11 songs
- Duration: 27 minutes
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419votes
"The Essential Kirk Franklin" by Kirk Franklin
Kirk FranklinThis compilation album features some of Franklin's most popular and successful gospel hits, including "Lean On Me" and "Stomp".The Essential Kirk Franklin is a compilation gospel album by Kirk Franklin, one of the most prominent gospel artists of all time. The album features a collection of his most influential and successful songs, showcasing his unique blend of gospel, pop, and R&B styles. It is considered a definitive representation of his career and has become a landmark album within the gospel music genre.- Release Date: May 3, 2005
- Genre: Gospel, Contemporary Gospel
- Label: Essential Records
- Certification: 7x Platinum
- Number of Discs: 2
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516votes
"The Gospel According to Patti LaBelle" by Patti LaBelle
Patti LaBelleThis album features LaBelle's soulful take on classic gospel music, including the hit single "Way Up There".The Gospel According to Patti LaBelle is a gospel album by American singer Patti LaBelle. Released in 2006, it marks LaBelle's first full-length gospel project. The album combines traditional and contemporary gospel sounds with LaBelle's signature soulful vocals.- Genre: Gospel
- Release Year: 2006
- Label: GospoCentric Records
- Length: 56 minutes
- Producers: Various including Laila Adele and Rodney Jerkins
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66votes
"Live at the Apollo" by James Brown
James BrownAlthough not exclusively a gospel album, this live recording features Brown's electrifying performances of gospel-inspired tracks such as "I'll Go Crazy" and "Lost Someone".Live at the Apollo is a landmark gospel album by James Brown, released in 1963. It is considered one of the most successful gospel albums of all time, featuring electrifying live performances by Brown and his backing band recorded at New York's Apollo Theater.- Release Date: October 1963
- Genre: Gospel, R&B
- Label: King
- Recording Location: Apollo Theater, New York
- Length: 31:46
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77votes
"Live at Carnegie Hall" by Mahalia Jackson
Mahalia JacksonThis iconic live album showcases Jackson's powerful voice and her ability to connect with audiences through gospel music.Live at Carnegie Hall is a highly acclaimed gospel album recorded by the legendary American gospel singer Mahalia Jackson. The album was recorded live at Carnegie Hall in New York City on January 31, 1963. It captures the energy and power of Jackson's live performance, showcasing her incredible vocal range and captivating stage presence. With her soul-stirring renditions of gospel classics, she delivers an unforgettable performance that resonates with deep emotion and spiritual intensity. Live at Carnegie Hall is regarded as one of the most influential and successful gospel albums of all time.- Release Date: 1963
- Recorded Live: Carnegie Hall, New York City
- Recording Date: January 31, 1963
- Genre: Gospel
- Label: Columbia Records
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86votes
"The Heavens Are Telling" by The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
The Brooklyn Tabernacle ChoirThis album features the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir's stunning harmonies and powerful renditions of classic hymns such as "How Great Thou Art" and "Amazing Grace".The Heavens Are Telling is a gospel album that was recorded by The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. It is an uplifting collection of songs that showcases the Choir's powerful and soul-stirring vocals. The album features a combination of traditional gospel hymns and contemporary Christian music, with a strong emphasis on the choir's harmonies and dynamic performances. The lyrics are centered around themes of faith, redemption, and the power of God's love. With its vibrant sound and heartfelt message, The Heavens Are Telling has become one of the most successful gospel albums of all time.- Release Date: 2001
- Genre: Gospel
- Label: Word Distribution
- Length: 63 minutes
- Number of Tracks: 12
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97votes
"The Best of Fred Hammond" by Fred Hammond
Fred HammondThis compilation album features some of Hammond's most popular and successful gospel hits, including "No Weapon" and "You Are the Living Word".The Best of Fred Hammond is a gospel album by Fred Hammond, a renowned American gospel singer, songwriter, and producer. It features a collection of his greatest hits from his solo career as well as his time with the group Commissioned. This album showcases Hammond's soulful vocals, heartfelt lyrics, and uplifting messages, making it a beloved classic in the gospel genre.- Release Date: May 6, 2002
- Label: Verity Records
- Genre: Gospel
- Length: 1 hour, 14 minutes
- Number of Tracks: 15
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1010votes
"The Gospel Keynotes Live at Jackson State University" by The Gospel Keynotes
The Gospel KeynotesThis live recording features the Gospel Keynotes' soulful performances of classic gospel tracks such as "Jesus You've Been Good to Me" and "His Eye is on the Sparrow".The Gospel Keynotes Live at Jackson State University is a highly acclaimed gospel album that has achieved significant success. It is a live recording of a powerful performance by The Gospel Keynotes, a renowned gospel group.- Released: 1984
- Genre: Gospel
- Recorded at: Jackson State University
- Label: Malaco Records
- Lead Vocalist: Willie Neal Johnson
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Ranking factors for successful gospel album
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SalesThe album's commercial success is a vital factor in determining its success. The number of copies sold indicates the popularity of the album and shows how well it was received by the target audience.
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Critical AcclaimThe critical reception of the album by music critics plays an essential role in its success. Positive reviews and awards received by the album are indicators of its merit.
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InfluenceThe influence of the album on the gospel music genre and the broader music industry should also be considered. An album that has a significant impact and inspires the creation of future music could be ranked higher.
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LongevityAlbums that maintain their popularity and relevancy over time have a greater chance of being considered successful.
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Cultural SignificanceAn album's cultural significance, such as its ability to inspire social change or have a significant impact on a particular community, should also be taken into account.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most successful gospel album of all time. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or gospel album is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 3195 views
- 196 votes
- 10 ranked items
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Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each gospel album once every 24 hours. The rank of each gospel album is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most successful gospel album of all time
Background Information: The Best-Selling Gospel Albums of All Time
Gospel music is a genre that has been around for centuries, and it has a rich history of inspiring and uplifting people of all ages and backgrounds. Over the years, many artists and musicians have created gospel music that has touched the hearts and souls of millions of people around the world.
When it comes to the most successful gospel albums of all time, there are a few that stand out from the rest. These albums have sold millions of copies and have become classics in the genre. One of the most famous gospel albums of all time is "Amazing Grace" by Aretha Franklin, which was released in 1972. This album features some of the most powerful and soulful gospel songs ever recorded, and it has been a favorite of fans for decades.
Another album that is considered one of the most successful gospel albums of all time is "The Clark Sisters Live: One Last Time" by The Clark Sisters. This album was released in 2007 and features some of the best-known gospel songs of all time, including "You Brought the Sunshine" and "Is My Living in Vain." It has sold over 800,000 copies and has become a classic in the gospel genre.
Other successful gospel albums include "The Live Experience" by Marvin Sapp, "The Best of Donnie McClurkin" by Donnie McClurkin, and "Bebe & Cece Winans Greatest Hits" by Bebe & Cece Winans. All of these albums have sold millions of
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