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 Contact: Catherine Mannarino
631-754-8725
catherine@mc-records.com
http://www.mc-records.com
http://www.marieknight.com
http://www.myspace.com/1marieknight
With heavy hearts M.C. Records announces the death of Gospel legend Marie Knight. She died in New York City on
August 30 due to complications from Pneumonia. Marie first came to prominence in 1946 when she met and started working with Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Together they would be one of the
most popular gospel artists of the 1940's and make music history through a string of gospel hits including "Didn't It Rain," "Up Above My Head,"
and the gorgeous "Beams of Heaven." Marie Knight and Sister Rosetta Tharpe would tour frequently together through the 1950's. In the 1960's Marie had several R&B hits,
but in 1970's Marie rededicated herself to Gospel music and became a minister at the Gates of Prayer Church in New York City.
Marie Knight's recent comeback began in 2002 when producer and M.C. Records owner Mark Carpentieri invited Marie to record on "Shout Sister Shout Sister, A Tribute To
Sister Rosetta Tharpe." Mark recalls the phone call. "Gayle Wald who was writing the liner notes for the project asked me if I had contacted Marie Knight about
participating in the project. I didn't know she was still alive! I called Marie and she sounded so vibrant that I arranged studio time and we've been working together ever since."
After the release of "Shout Sister Shout Sister, A Tribute To Sister Rosetta Tharpe" (MC-0050) tour work came in regularly for Marie Knight. In 2007 Mark Carpentieri put
together Marie Knight's first full length album in over 25 years "Let Us Get Toegther." The project was a tribute to Rev. Gary Davis and was co-produced with Larry
Campbell (Bob Dylan, Ollabelle Levon Helm). The record was a critical success with great reviews from TheNew York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, The Philadelphia Inquirer and many more.
You can listen to a live recorded concert featuring Marie via The Woodsongs Radio Hour recorded in February 2008, http://www.woodsongs.com/showlist.asp and click on show number 470.
Here's an LA Times story on Marie: http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-marie-knight2-2009sep02,0,3399953.story
Here are some youtube links to check out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwp7KdSAvaQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLLI-6GmQ2o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGnyywFXaEA
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