Sister Rosetta Tharpe & Marie Knight Shadrack/Nobody's Fault Decca 45 PROMO NICE

$

32

Up for sale is a very scarce single (7 inch, 45 RPM, vinyl record) containing two great renditions of gospel songs sung in an R&B-soul style.

Artists:   Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Marie Knight

Record Label:  Decca

Record Number:  9-48309 [Both labels state:  "SAMPLE COPY" and "NOT FOR SALE"]

Release Year:  1953 (per the website of Discogs)

"A" Side (45-85399):  Shadrack (Robert MacGimsey) [Carl Fischer, Inc.  AS; Time:  2:00]

     Wax matrix marks:  "45 85399 5" (Stamped)

"B" Side (45-85400):  Nobody's Fault [Taps Agency, BMI; Time:  2:29]

     Wax matrix marks:  "45 85400 6" (Stamped) 

Sister Rosetta Tharpe (1919 - 1973) was a pioneer in blending gospel and spiritual music with the rhythms that grew into rock and roll.  She has been called "the original soul sister" and "the Godmother of rock and roll".  In addition to being a great vocalist, she was an outstanding guitarist.  The list of rock and pop singers who have acknowledged her influence reads like a "who's who" of modern music.  In the late 1940s, Tharpe recruited Marie Knight (1920 - 2009) to join her, after watching her perform with Mahalia Jackson.  Tharpe and Knight would sometimes act out the parts of "the saint and the sinner", respectively.  After several years, Knight started her own successful solo career, although they remained close thereafter.

The song "Shadrack" was written in the 1930s when it was performed by Louis Armstrong and others.  The lyrics refer to a story in the Book of Daniel, in which the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar throws Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego into a fiery furnace, for refusing to bow down to a graven image of the King.  The trio escape harm and the King sees four men walking among the flames, the fourth being "like a son of God".

The song "It's Nobody's Fault But Mine" was first recorded by Blind Willie Johnson in 1927.  It tells of a spiritual struggle about whether to read the Bible (and be saved) or not to (and be damned).  It has been covered by a wide variety of singers and bands, including - notably - Led Zeppelin.

See above for complete description of condition and for photos.  Sold as is.

Attention US Buyers:  I will ship by USPS Media Mail or by USPS Priority Mail, your choice.  Please note that if you have a Military Mail address (e.g. APO), I must ask that you pick USPS Priority Mail as it is my understanding that USPS Medial Mail is not reliable to Military Mail addresses.

Attention International Buyers:  Unfortunately, it appears that international shipping from the US (via the USPS) has become unreliable, because of the pandemic.  Therefore, I have decided to remove the international shipping option.  You are still welcome to bid on this item, but will need to supply a shipping address in the US.  I'm sorry for the inconvenience.  Thank you for your understanding.