Haunting in situ recordings from Parchman Farm maximum security prison in Mississippi (USA). Producer Ian Brennan (Tinariwen, Ustad Saami, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Zomba Prison Project) recorded the prison's Sunday gospel service and the results are unforgettable.

The performances range from solo a capella to a floor-shaking electric band. The repertoire includes both traditional and newly penned spirituals. “Some Mississippi Sunday Morning” is an unfiltered and deeply resonant journey into a musical world rarely seen or heard.

In February 2023, Grammy-winning music producer, Ian Brennan traveled to Mississippi to record with the prisoners of the notorious Parchman Prison. The institution has a rich musical history with Son House, Bukka White, Mose Allison and Elvis Presley’s father, Vernon Presley, having been former residents. The bureaucratic process for his visit took over three years. Granted approval a little more than a week before, Brennan caught a red eye flight to be there on a Sunday morning for the few hours he was allowed to record.

The chaplains of the prison convened a special service of various singers from across the dozen or so different services that take place every Sunday at Parchman. Somewhat bashful at first, the men volunteered one-by-one and sang a capella songs. Inspired by one another, those that had initially refused or were reluctant to sing, eventually stepped-up to the microphone and many took second turns as the morning unfolded. The entire meeting climaxed with an unplanned, full-band free for all as the musicians traded off the chapel’s instruments on-the-fly.

“I had a blind faith that the voices would be compelling. But the men exceeded my expectations astronomically with the depth and nuance— and often downright virtuosity— of their singing,” Brennan recalls.

1. Open the Eyes of My Heart, Lord / L. Stevenson (age: 29)
2. I Give Myself Away, So You Can Use Me / singer/pianist chose to remain anonymous
3. Break Every Chain / M. Kyles (age: 52)
4. Jesus, Every Day Your Name is the Same / Parchman Prison Choir featuring C.S. Deloch (age: 73)
5. Step into the Water / N. Peterson (age: 63)
6. Solve My Need / M. Palmer (age: 60)
7. Falling in Love with Jesus Was the Best Thing I’ve Ever Done / A. Warren (age: 28)
8. You Did Not Leave Me, You Bless Me Still / J. Sherman (age: 63)
9. If I Couldn’t Say One Word, I’ll Just Wave My Hand / Parchman Prison Choir featuring L. Brown (age: 36)
10. I Gotta Run / L. Stevenson (age: 29)
11. Hosanna / L. Brown (age: 36)
12. Locked Down, Mama Prays for Me / Robinson (age: 33) with A. Warren (age: 28)
13. It’s in My Heart / M. Kyles (age: 52)
14. I’m Still Here / D. Thomas (age: 30)
15. Lay My Burden Down / Parchman Prison Choir featuring C.S. Deloch (age: 73) & M. Palmer (age: 60)