Now 71 years old, back in the 60s Dee Dee Sharp made a name for herself with a few Top Ten R&B hits like “Slow Twistin’” “Do the Bird” and “Mashed Potato Time.” Less known about her was her influence from her church, and this 1962 album which was recently reissued shows Ms Sharp in a testifying mood. She has a rich voice that is not unlike Norah Jones in lilt, but with a more confident tone, and she mixes traditional spirituals with some sanctified standards.
Her accompaniment varies between a vocal choir, a vintage Baptist organ and a gospel based rhythm team. She is stunning with the vocal accompaniment on a riveting “Peace In the Valley” and gets the congregation on its feet during “He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands.” Jimmy McGriff’s “Heavenly Father” and “Heavenly Father” are fervent in their heartfelt delivery, and even “Vaya Con Dios” works with credibility. A couple show tunes are given a more spiritual feel, as “Climb Every Mountain” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone” are conveyed with deep sincerity. The album in one sense feels like a time capsule, as very few Christian artists sing with this much deep felt fervency without going into histrionics or hipster groaning. This lady comes across abandoned yet with humility; a tough combo to find in these days of spiritual posers. Rate this one up there along with Louis Armstrong’s And the Good Book for Old Time Religion sounds.