Esther Marrow - Newport News, Virginia - LP (1970) Flying Dutchman - CD (2013) BGP + Mini Booklet - Rare Soul (FLAC)

Esther was born Queen Esther Marrow in Newport Virginia in 1941. She received a scholarship in theater in the university of Texas, and moved to Austin. After five years in austin, New York beckoned and Queen Esther enrolled at another College where she received a B.A. in screenwriting. Esther began singing professionally in the early 60s and her big break came in 1965 when she was asked by Duke Ellington to take part in his ground breaking Concert of Sacred Music at the Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. Marrow toured with the Duke Ellington Band as well as Harry Belafonte and came to the attention of Bob Thiele who recorded and released this debut album on his Flying Dutchman label in 1969.  Musically, it’s a compelling mix of funk and soul, occupying similar terrain to Alice Clark’s great album that was released on Mainstream in 1972. For example, Jesse Stone’s ‘Money Honey’ is given a crunching funk arrangement and is one of three tracks that tempt collectors to pay big money for an original copy. ‘Walk Tall’ and ‘Chains of Love’ are the other two. ‘Chains Of Love’ was originally recorded in Detroit by J. J. Barnes and became a Northern Soul classic. ‘Walk Tall’ is one of the album’s highlights and features music originally written by pianist Joe Zawinul of weather Report and performed by Cannonball Adderley, with lyrics written by James Rein and Esther. It has become something of a jazz standard, but no version ever bettered this original track. Add to the mix the lush string driven power of tracks like Peaceful Man, Mama and a tilt at the classic What A Wonderful World and you have a truly wonderful album. Her gospel and stage performances have made her a worldwide concert draw. She recorded two sought after funk albums, this one and "sister woman" early in her career, marked by some excellent songs and fantastic musicianship. She continues to perform and record mainly Gospel material,her first love. This is an album of deep,sweet, some mild funk, mixture of soul...but what an impressive voice!

AMM

                                                                       The Tasters!