Sister Inez Andrews, born Inez McConico (April 14, 1929 – December 19, 2012) and better known as Inez Andrews, was an American gospel singer, who was noted for her powerful, wide-ranging voice. The Chicago Tribune stated that "Andrews' throaty contralto made her low notes thunder, while the enormous range of her instrument enabled her to reach stratospheric pitches without falsetto". Her dramatic delivery made her a charismatic presence in church and on stage."

Andrews started singing in the church as a child and performed gospel music on the road in various gospel groups from the 1940s before joining The Caravans in 1957. Fellow member from The Caravans in the 1950s, Shirley Caesar, once dubbed Andrews "The High Priestess" for her ability to hit high notes, and, in 2013, stated, "there never was and never will be another voice like Inez Andrews." Another early member of the Caravans, Albertina Walker often said, "nothing ever worked for the Caravans until Inez started whistling" — hitting the high notes. She sang lead on The Caravans first breakthrough hit, "Mary Don't You Weep", and also had hits as a solo artist with crossover recordings such as "Lord Don't Move The Mountain". (#48 in 1973 on Billboard R&B chart on Song Bird label). She was referred to in 2012 by the New York Times as "the last great female vocalist of gospel's golden age," ranking among the likes of other music legends from the "Golden Era" of Black Gospel (1945–60) – Mahalia Jackson, Marion Williams, Dorothy Love Coates, Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Clara Ward. Andrews is survived by seven children, 19 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. The award ended up being presented posthumously.

Discography

  • 1963 – The Need of Prayer
  • 1964 – Letter to Jesus
  • 1972 – Lord Don't Move That Mountain
  • 1975 – This is Not the First Time I've Been Last
  • 1979 – Chapter 5
  • 1980 – A Sinner's Prayer
  • 1981 – I Made a Step
  • 1982 – My Testimony
  • 1984 – Lord Lift Us Up
  • 1986 – Jehovah is His Name
  • 1987 – The Two Sides of Inez Andrews
  • 1988 – If Jesus Came to Your Town Today
  • 198? - Close to Thee
  • 1990 – Lord Lift Us Up
  • 1990 – My Testimony
  • 1990 – I Made a Step in the Right Direction
  • 1990 – Inez Andrews
  • 1991 – Raise Up a Nation
  • 1991 – Shine on Me

Live album

  • 1974 – Live At The Munich Gospel Festival
  • 1980 The Remarkable Inez Andrews with the True Voices of Christ Concert Ensemble Directed by Kevin Yancy " A Sinners Prayer"

Compilation albums

  • 1999 – Headline News
  • 2005 – Most Requested Songs

Singles

  • 1972 – "I'm Free" / "Lord Don't Move The Mountain"
  • 1975 – "Help Me" / "God's Humble Servant"
  • 1980 – "I'm Free" / "Lord Don't Move The Mountain" (re-release)
  • 19?? - "Close To Thee"

References

  • Inez Andrew's last interview