Remember Me

Performer: Marion Williams
Engineer: Andy Heermans...
Producer: Simon Albury; Anthony Heilbut...
Distributor: E1 Distribution (USA)

Notes: Personnel: Marion Williams (piano); Jonathan DuBose, Jr. (guitar, drums); Eddie Brown (piano, organ, keyboards); Gladys Gordon, Lloyd Gary, Marion Franklin, Buddy Crosby, James Cleveland (piano); James Perry (organ, keyboards); Jessy Dixon (organ); Robin Keith Williams , Roy Markowitz (drums). Recording information: ??/1968-09/1992. Photographer: Giuseppe Pino. Gospel great Marion Williams possessed one of the strongest voices in the history of American music, and with a four-octave range coupled with her uncanny rhythmic timing and a dynamic grasp of melisma that kept it from being mere ornamentation, she stalked the gospel stage like few have before or since. Remember Me is a powerful retrospective of Williams' solo years, and includes several live and previously unissued tracks, all of which feature her stunning, dynamic singing. Her version of "God Bless the Child" here exhibits none of the apparent resignation that many singers have given the song over the years, but instead instills it with a strength of will that turns it from resigned acceptance to hard statement from note one. Similarly, her take on "O Death" changes the tone of the song from a desperate request to a flat-out demand for "another day." Williams' 1981 version of "City of Heaven" is a huge, ominous masterpiece, and the bluesy emotion in her voice is almost terrifying in its immediacy. Had she aimed her talents at the secular side, Williams would have undoubtedly been widely acknowledged as one of the greatest singers of her era (following her death in 1994, Rolling Stone actually proclaimed her "the greatest singer ever"), but she stuck to gospel, which limited her audience. Her influence in the pop field, though, has been quietly immense, and every soul singer on earth owes her a great deal. Remember Me is the perfect introduction to this amazing singer. ~ Steve Leggett

One of the most distinctive voices in gospel, Marion Williams built a legendary four-decade career, starting in the late 1940s, out of her childhood influences of blues, jazz, and calypso as well as her unwavering faith in God and love of pure gospel. Williams was best known for fiery, emotional live church performances that used simple, traditional instrumentation to showcase her unparalleled vocal range; her voice could shift dramatically from falsetto to bass, all the while maintaining impeccable control and restraint.

Shipping or Dimension weight in pounds: 0.2

Shipping Options and Policies