"THE GREAT GOSPEL WOMEN" Vol. 1

Like its male counterpoint, this anthology spotlights contributions from both famous stars (Mahalia Jackson, Marion Williams, Dorothy Love Coates, Sister Rosetta Tharpe) and obscure figures (Mary Johnson Davis, Jessie Mae Renfro, Lucy Smith, and Goldia Haynes, among others), presenting a hefty 31 selections. While some might quibble that celebrated stars Jackson and Williams get six tracks apiece, it's hard to argue with the greatness of what's presented by them. Others who give head-turning performances include Frances Steadman, Roberta Martin, and Clara Ward. (Ed Ward, Allmusic)Leading gospel researcher Anthony Heilbut continues his splendid series of gospel reissues for Shanachie and its sister label, Spirit Feel, with this collection of 31 performances by 16 of gospel's greatest female vocalists, including some of America's finest singers in any genre. It begins with five of Mahalia Jackson's early recordings for Apollo, before she was tamed by Columbia, and continues with such legends as Willie Mae Ford Smith, Roberta Martin, Rosetta Tharpe, Clara Ward, Marion Williams, and Dorothy Love Coates as well as lesser known names. Heilbut's 16 pages of notes put it all in context. --Geoffrey Himes, Amazon

trax:
1. Just A Closer Walk With Thee ("live") - Mahalia Jackson 2. These Are They - Mahalia Jackson 3. Just As I Am - Mahalia Jackson 4. Dig A Little Deeper - Mahalia Jackson 5. Just Over The Hill - Mahalia Jackson 6. Just Keep Still - Mahalia Jackson 7. What Manner Of Man Is This - Willie Mae Ford Smith 8. What A Friend - Roberta Martin 9. I Looked Down The Line - Sister Rosetta Tharpe 10. Nobody's Fault But Mine - Sister Rosetta Tharpe 11. Peace In The Valley - Sister Rosetta Tharpe 12. Ain't That Good News - Mary Johnson Davis 13. Walk With Me - Marie Knight 14. Just One Moment - Clara Ward 15. The Last Mile Of The Way - Clara Ward 16. Come Out The Corner - Marion Williams 17. Nobody Knows, Nobody Cares - Marion Williams 18. Prayer Changes Things - Marion Williams 19. Shall These Cheeks Go Dry - Marion Williams 20. Feel Like My Time Ain't Long - Marion Williams 21. There's A Man - Marion Williams 22. This Old World - Goldia Haynes 23. Didn't It Rain - Cora Martin 24. There's a Place - Cora Martin 25. Hark The Voice - Frances Steadman 26. I Must Tell Jesus - Jessie Mae Renfro 27. I'll Do What You Want Me To Do - Bessie Folk 28. Trouble - Dorothy Love Coates 29. Elijah - Dorothy Love Coates 30. O What A Time - Lucy Smith 31. Tell The Angels - Gladys Beamon Gregory
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