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Steve Mellon, Jim Mendenhall and Diana Nelson Jones
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Essie Hill, at 86, is a living landmark at Central Baptist Church in the Hill District, and she is known by congregations for whom she has been a guest soloist. But outside those venues, her name does not resonate, and it should.

In the 1960s, Mrs. Hill soloed on two bills with Mahalia Jackson at Forbes Field and has traveled with quartets and choirs through the years, but her solos and her concerts had tapered off before the release of her first CD of 11 songs last year, "Essie Hill Sings Songs of the Gospel."

Most of the songs have never been recorded or listed for copyright, said Mani Stokes, a blues guitarist and accompanist at Central Baptist, "which makes them priceless."

Here are two of the songs from "Essie Hill Sings Songs of the Gospel:"

"Traveling Shoes"

"May the Work I've Done"

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At age 86, gospel singer expands legacy with her first CD

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