Marie Knight Let Us Get Together: A Tribute To Reverend Gary Davis CD

Marie Knight began singing at the Oakwood Baptist Church in Newark, NJ and made some early gospel singles for Brunswick and Mercury. Starting in 1952 she gained international fame as the duet partner of Sister Rosetta Tharpe. She continued recording gospel and secular music in the '60s, '70s and '80s. In 2003, MC Records recruited her to sing on A Tribute to Sister Rosetta Tharpe: Shout Sister Shout. Her performance was so powerful, the label offered her a contract, and this album, her first full-length in 20 years, is the happy result. Reverend Gary Davis was discovered by folkies in the '60s and celebrated as one of the last living links between ragtime, blues and gospel music. His syncopated picking style made him an acoustic guitar legend and several of his compositions, including "Samson and Delilah" and "I'll Fly Away," became folk "hits." Davis died in 1972 and is today largely unknown, even in folk circles. Hopefully, this album will bring his music back into the spotlight. Knight, not unexpectedly, concentrates on Davis' gospel tunes, and infuses them with a sanctified power. She's lost a bit of her high end over the years, but her fervent delivery remains undiminished, polished by the experience she brings to her renditions. Super picker Larry Campbell produces and backs Knight with a credible version of Davis' syncopated and highly rhythmic style of guitar picking. "When I Die," a celebration of eternal salvation, bounces brightly along with Campbell's chiming guitar and Lincoln Schleifer's bass adding to Knight's blazing rendition. "Death Don't Have No Mercy" gets a swampy blues drenched reading with Campbell playing Pops Staples-style electric guitar and Kim Wilson blowing some fine harp. Knight shines throughout, bringing the spirit of Davis to life with performances full of her ardent, funky, playful soul. ~ j. poet

Personnel: Marie Knight (vocals); Kim Wilson (harmonica); Lincoln Schleifer (acoustic bass guitar); Richard Pagano (drums); Catherine Russell (background vocals).

Additional personnel: Larry Campbell (guitars).

Dirty Linen (p.50) - "Knight's powerful vocals add original interpretation and emotional firepower to Davis' sacred lyrics...and Campbell's facile fretwork does justice to Davis' Challenging guitar arrangements."
Living Blues (p.33) - "The 82-year-old singer is in remarkable voice and buoyant spirits throughout....Her sustains still ring out magnificently, her octave leaps land right on pitch, and her enunciation is as clear as finely polished crystal."