The Best of the Davis Sisters is a double LP/single CD album by the famous Philadelphia gospel group, released in 1978 on LP (see 1978 in music) and in 2001 on CD (see 2001 in music). It collects 24 of their recordings made for Savoy Records between 1955 and 1968. Popular tracks are âÂÂTwelve Gates to the CityâÂÂ, âÂÂSinner Man Where You Gonna Run ToâÂÂ, âÂÂBlessed QuietnessâÂÂ, âÂÂWe Need PowerâÂÂ, âÂÂHeâÂÂll Understand and Say Well DoneâÂÂ. The lead vocals are shared between contralto Ruth âÂÂBaby Sisâ Davis, mezzo-soprano Jackie Verdell, and occasionally pianist Curtis Dublin.
Song History
- Recorded 9 February 1955: âÂÂTwelve Gates to the CityâÂÂ, âÂÂYouâÂÂve Got the River of Jordan to CrossâÂÂ, âÂÂHeâÂÂll Understand and Say Well DoneâÂÂ, âÂÂHeâÂÂs My KingâÂÂ
- Recorded 9 August 1955: âÂÂWonâÂÂt It Be Wonderful ThereâÂÂ, âÂÂRain In JerusalemâÂÂ
- Recorded 17 April 1956: âÂÂPlant My Feet on Higher GroundâÂÂ, âÂÂKeeping Me AliveâÂÂ
- Recorded 25 January 1957: âÂÂSinner Man Where You Gonna Run ToâÂÂ, âÂÂShine on MeâÂÂ
- Recorded 29 May 1957: âÂÂThere Is a Tree on Each Side of the RiverâÂÂ, âÂÂWhen I Get InsideâÂÂ
- Recorded 23 August 1957: âÂÂMy Wonderful CounselorâÂÂ
- Recorded 21 January 1958â âÂÂJonahâÂÂ, What HeâÂÂs Done for MeâÂÂ, âÂÂAlmost HomeâÂÂ
- Recorded 17 June 1959: âÂÂWe Need PowerâÂÂ, âÂÂJesus Gave Me WaterâÂÂ
- Recorded 2 July 1959: âÂÂBye and ByeâÂÂ
- Recorded 16 May 1962: âÂÂHeâÂÂs My Precious KingâÂÂ
- Recorded 23 May 1962: âÂÂTiredâÂÂ
- Recorded c. 1967: âÂÂI Believe IâÂÂll Go Back HomeâÂÂ
- Recorded c. 1968: âÂÂBlessed QuietnessâÂÂ
Track listing
Side one
- "Twelve Gates to the City" â 2:50
- "Sinner Man Where You Gonna Run To" â 2:45
- "I Want to Be More Like Jesus" â 2:25
- "You Got the River of Jordan to Cross" â 2:40
- "When I Get Inside" â 2:50
- "Shine on Me" â 5:27
Side two
- "Plant My Feet on Higher Ground" â 2:30
- "HeâÂÂs My King" â 3:15
- "Rain in Jerusalem" â 2:35
- "Blessed Quietness" â 2:43
- "What HeâÂÂs Done for Me" â 2:15
- "Jonah" â 1:55
Side three
- "(Jesus) HeâÂÂs My Precious King" â 5:06
- "We Need Power" â 2:40
- "Tired" â 3:10
- "Bye and Bye" â 5:20
- "Jesus Gave Me Water" â 3:21
- "I Believe IâÂÂll Go Back Home" â 2:50
Side four
- "HeâÂÂll Understand and Say Well Done" â 3:15
- "There Is a Tree on Each Side of the River" â 3:00
- "Keeping Me Alive" â 2:45
- "My Wonderful Counselor" â 2:45
- "WonâÂÂt It Be Wonderful There" â 2:55
- "Almost Home" â 2:40
Personnel
- Ruth Davis â lead vocals, background vocals
- Jackie Verdell â lead vocals, background vocals
- Curtis Dublin â lead vocals, piano
- Thelma Davis â background vocals
- Alfreda Davis â background vocals
- Audrey Davis â background vocals
- Cynthia Young â background vocals
- Lela Dargan â background vocals
- unknown â guitar
- unknown - bass
- unknown - organ
- unknown - percussion, drums
Production
References
- Hayes, Cedric J, and Laughton, Robert (1992). Gospel Records 1943-1969: A Black Music Discography, Volume One, A to K, London, Record Information Services
External links