CD Review: Remember Me – Marion Williams

Remember Me – Marion Williams
Shanachie SH 6063
2005
www.shanachie.com

“I was born to sing the gospel and I sure do love my job.”

So sings Marion Williams on “Born to Sing the Gospel,” a track from Remember Me, a selection of the former Ward Singer’s solo performances from 1968 to 1992. One listen to this CD will be sufficient to convince you of the above statement’s undeniable truth.

The incomparable Marion, with her four-octave vocal range and multi-colored, multi-textured delivery, was matched only by Mahalia Jackson as the world’s greatest gospel singer. Indeed, Rolling Stone suggests she could be the greatest singer period. Marion could sing one gospel song as rough as they come, and perform another with the crisp clarity of a trumpet heard at daybreak. Her ability to move from bluesy belter to light alto is evident throughout this delightful collection, ably compiled, produced, and annotated by pioneering gospel music scholar and Marion’s number one fan and believer, Anthony Heilbut.

Interestingly enough, one of the finest performances featured on the CD is Marion’s 1968 version of “God Bless the Child.” I know I’m bordering on musical heresy, but by transforming this jazz standard into a gospel song, complete with some sanctified ad libbing, Marion does Billie’s signature version one better. You have got to hear it to see what I mean.

Other highlights on Remember Me include Thomas A. Dorsey’s “The Day is Past and Gone” that, under Marion’s spell, is nothing less than chilling, best listened to with the lights off and the curtains closed. Similarly, “City Called Heaven” evokes Mahalia’s own otherworldly version recorded for Apollo Records.

Among the musicians backing Marion on some of the tracks include Rev. James Cleveland, who handles piano duties on “How I Got Over,” and Jessy Dixon on organ for “Standing Here Wondering Which Way to Go” and “Take My Hand, Precious Lord.” No less than Dorsey himself provides narration on “Precious Lord,” captured as part of a Mahalia Jackson tribute concert Heilbut produced at Carnegie Hall in 1975.

Half of the two dozen tracks are heard here for the first time, providing collectors with new gems to enjoy and gospel music devotees with a nicely packaged collage of Marion’s vocal CV. God Bless the Child nothing…God Bless Marion for taking the music that once got Dorsey thrown out of churches to new artistic heights.