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Gospel
Legend Marie Knight's The
Gospel
Truth Live
The Posthumous
Release Streets March 23
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Northport
N.Y. - M.C. Records is proud to be releasing a live record by Marie Knight
on March 23. The posthumous
The Gospel Truth
Live (MC-0084) was recorded October 19, 2007 at Margaret A.
Hart '35 Gospel Fest at the Church Street Center in North Adams MA. Now,
over a decade later, that revelatory performance finally sees the light of
day on this brilliant compilation to be released on March 23. Next month,
Sister Rosetta Tharpe will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Marie was Sister's musical partner for over a decade during the hight of
Sister's fame. A
full bio of Marie Knight can be found on her website, www.marieknight.com. Scroll down to
listen to the recording via Airplay Direct.
Click the Cover
to Listen & Download
"The
timing for the release of The
Gospel Truth Live couldn’t be more
perfect as the prestigious Rock and Roll Hall
of Fame announced in December 2017 that it would be
posthumously inducting Sister Rosetta Tharpe into the
hallowed hall in April 2018 as an early influence on artists
ranging from Elvis Presley to Bob Dylan. In a way, it’s also an acknowledgement for
Knight’s musical contributions since she collaborated professionally
and served as a confidante with Tharpe at the height of
her popularity in the early 1950s. In addition two
plays are currently in production about the music and relationship of
Marie Knight and Sister Rosetta Tharpe. "Marie and Rosetta" is a
musical that was produced by The Atlantic Theater Company in New York
City. "Shout Sister Shout The Musical" debut
at The Pasadena Playhouse in January of 2017.
On October 19, 2007, they all braved the rainy weather to witness one of
the last living artists from the Golden Age of Gospel (1940 – 1960).
In this rootsy, organic concert, she breezed through
the songbooks of Tharpe – arguably, the most influential female gospel
act of the 1940s - and also the Rev. Gary Davis – who made a huge
impact on the 1960s folk movement - and along the way, Knight shared
brief anecdotes on the highs and lows of her earthly walk, including the
fire that killed her two children and her mother. Within the span of
60 minutes, she showcased not only her thunderous contralto but also her
commanding personality, sardonic humor and
her unabashed evangelism. Singer/pianist Dave Keys, who has played with
artists as varied as Chuck Berry and Tanya Tucker, was Knight’s sole
musician for the get-together. His skillful, buoyant playing kept the
spirit high even on ballads.
Marie Knight with Humphrey
Lyttleton's Band, 1958, London U.K.
Terry Cryer Archive UK
Madame Marie Knight was born Marie Roach
on June 1, 1920
in Sanford, FL but she was raised in Newark, NJ. She first recorded with
The Sunset Four (Sunset Jubilee Singers). In 1946 Tharpe saw Marie Knight
perform at a Mahalia Jackson concert in New York. Tharpe recognized a
special talent in Knight. They toured the gospel circuit for a number of
years, during which they recorded hits such as "Up Above My Head"
and “Precious
Memories.”
In January 2002, on a cold, bright Saturday morning, Marie entered a
recording studio to pay tribute to her old singing partner, Rosetta Tharpe,
doing a solo version of their old hit “Didn’t It Rain.” [Listen
the fruits of that session on Shout, Sister, Shout! (MC-0050).] That
session—and Marie’s continuing vitality as a singer and performer—led to
her present collaboration with producer Mark Carpentieri.
Marie’s last studio recording was the Gospel songs of Rev. Gary Davis
titled “Let Us Get Together” (MC-0058). Larry Campbell (Dixie Hummingbirds,
Bob Dylan, Levon Helm, Elvis Costello) is playing all the stringed
instruments. That release came out on June 26, 2007. It marked
Marie’s first full-length recording in over 20 years. The recording was
named a top 10 blues release by NPR and Marie was featured in "Living
Blues," "No- Depression," & "Dirty
Linen."
Finally, Knight died on a bright, warm Sunday, August 30,
2009. Her rainy days were finally done. However, her music continues to
shower us with her faith and talent. The Gospel Truth Live is in a
style and manner that would make both Mahalia Jackson and Sister Rosetta
Tharpe very proud. “One of the reasons I wanted to release the album is
because you really get to see who Marie is, all sides of her,” says Mark
Carpentieri. “The funny side, the very serious side, the very spiritual
side. It’s like in her own words in a way.”
***
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June 23 - River and
Roots Festival, Berryville Virginia
July 13 - Summer Arts
Festival, Huntington NY
July 16 - Mountain
Stage Taping, Charleston WV
August 2 -
Music City Roots Taping, Nashville TN
Sept. 1 - Joe Wilson
Memorial Festival, Galax, Virginia
Sept. 2 - Song of The
Mountains Taping, Marion VA
October 14 - Richmond
Folk Festival, Richmond VA
June 23 - River and
Roots Festival, Berryville Virginia
July 13 - Summer Arts
Festival, Huntington NY
July 16 - Mountain
Stage Taping, Charleston WV
August 2 -
Music City Roots Taping, Nashville TN
Sept. 1 - Joe Wilson
Memorial Festival, Galax, Virginia
Sept. 2 - Song of The
Mountains Taping, Marion VA
October 14 - Richmond
Folk Festival, Richmond VA
June 23 - River and
Roots Festival, Berryville Virginia
July 13 - Summer Arts
Festival, Huntington NY
July 16 - Mountain
Stage Taping, Charleston WV
August 2 -
Music City Roots Taping, Nashville TN
Sept. 1 - Joe Wilson
Memorial Festival, Galax, Virginia
Sept. 2 - Song of The
Mountains Taping, Marion VA
October 14 - Richmond
Folk Festival, Richmond VA
