The Famous Davis Sisters – The Singles Collection 1949-62 – 2CD

The Famous Davis Sisters of Philadelphia were a gospel group formed in 1945 by Ruth Davis after she had briefly served with the Women’s Air Corps at the end of WWII. She organised her four sisters and developed an act which became legendary at the “Met” – the Metropolitan Opera House – in Philadelphia, where they would, as some said, “tear the house down”. Accompanied for many years simply by their pianist and organist Curtis Dublin, they recorded initially for the Apex and Gotham labels before signing to Savoy, with whom they stayed through into the ‘60s. This great-value 51-track 2-CD collection comprises most of their A & B sides on those labels during these years, and features classics like “Jesus Steps Right In” and “Too Close To Heaven”, with many of the songs written by the sisters themselves – Ruth, Thelma, Audrey and Alfreda. They were a group who, like the Caravans, helped to bridge the gap between gospel and soul with their brand of “hard gospel” of the sort pioneered by the likes of the Dixie Hummingbirds. It’s a great showcase for one of the most exciting gospel groups of the era.

Track Listing:

CD1: 
Davis Sisters: 1. Get Away, Jordan -   2. If Jesus Is Near -   Davis Sisters Of Philadelphia: 3. He Has A Way That's Mighty Sweet -   4. I'll Wait On The Lord -   5. Footprints Of Jesus -   6. Getting Nearer To My Lord -   The Davis Sisters & Curtis Dublin: 7. By And By Pt. 1 -   8. By And By Pt. 2 -   9. Jesus Steps Right In -   10. Too Close To Heaven -   11. Marching To Zion -   12. Jesus Is A Waymaker -   13. In The Shelter Of The Rock -   14. Is There Anybody Here That Loves My Jesus? -   Davis Sisters: 15. Get Right With God -   16. I'm Tired -   17. He's My King -   18. He'll Understand And Say Well Done -   The Famous Davis Sisters Of Philadelphia: 19. You've Got The River Jordan To Cross -   20. Twelve Gates To The City -   21. Oh Happy Day -   22. Rain In Jerusalem -   23. Plant My Feet On Higher Ground -   24. Lord Don't Leave Me -   The Famous Davis Sisters: 25. Won't It Be Wonderful Up There -   26. Jesus Gently Guides Me -

CD2:
The Famous Davis Sisters: 1. More Than All -   2. Oh Sinner -   3. He’s Mine -   4. Keeping Me Alive -   5. There's A Tree On Each Side -   6. I Don't Know What I'd Do -   7. My Wonderful Counselor -   8. Farewell -   9. Almost Home -   10. What He's Done For Me -   11. Following Him -   12. You're Gonna Need Somebody On Your Side -   13. He's Here Now -   14. Jonah -   15. We Need The Power -   16. I Got A New Home -   17. Not A Word -   18. Save Me -   19. Father, I'm Coming Home Part 1 -   20. Right Now Jesus -   21. Jesus Is The One To Love -   The Davis Sisters: 22. Nothing But The Blood -   23. My Jesus -   The Famous Davis Sisters: 24. Jesus Loves Me -   25. Earnestly Praying -