Return
On April 7, 1961, Mahalia Jackson returned to London's Royal Albert Hall for a triumphant concert. This performance was a highlight of her European tour and stood in stark contrast to her earlier concert at the same venue nine years earlier in 1952, which had been overshadowed by illness.
A memorable evening in London
Mahalia Jackson, who still remembered her last, less successful performance at the Royal Albert Hall and was really hoping for a better result, wasn't disappointed.
The Royal Albert Hall was filled to capacity with six thousand people, and many more interested attendees had to be turned away – a clear sign of Jackson's immense popularity and appeal. The entire concert was recorded live by Columbia, underscoring the historical significance of this evening.
Musical excellence and an enthusiastic audience
Mahalia Jackson was accompanied on the piano by Mildred Falls at this memorable concert. Unlike the earlier performance, there was no organist this time. The audience's reaction was overwhelming. Unlike previous experiences in London, where the audience was often described as reserved, this time the listeners clapped and cheered enthusiastically and offbeat, which clearly delighted Mahalia Jackson. At the end of the concert, the audience rose to a standing ovation, proof of the profound effect her performance had on the audience.
Royal recognition and critical acclaim
The significance of this concert was also underscored by the presence and reaction of special guests. After the concert, Princess Alexandra went backstage to tell Mahalia Jackson personally that she had been "absolutely brilliant" – a gesture that visibly astonished the manager of the Albert Hall.
Critics were also full of praise. One reviewer described Mahalia Jackson's voice as "the most majestic voice of faith." Max Jones of Melody Maker not only highlighted the commercial success of the concert, but also called Mahalia Jackson's performance that of a "spiritual magician" with an "amazing gift" and "complete simplicity."
Mahalia Jackson's concert at the Royal Albert Hall in 1961 was therefore not only a personal triumph for the artist, but also an unforgettable evening for everyone present, cementing her exceptional status as one of the greatest voices of all time.
