Carlene Davis (born c.1953) is a Jamaican gospel and reggae singer active since the 1970s. Successful since the early 1980s as a reggae artist, she survived cancer in the mid-1990s, after which she dedicated her career to gospel music. She has released over ten albums.

Biography


Davis was born in Colonels Ridge, Clarendon Parish and moved to England with her parents at the age of fourteen, where she began to perform professionally a year later, playing guitar in an all-girl band before joining the pop trio Toreadores. She then moved to Toronto, Ontario, Canada where she lived for eight years. Davis initially found fame as a reggae singer. She recorded her debut single in Toronto, a version of "Leaving on a Jet Plane", and had a local hit with a version of Jimmy Cliff's "The Harder They Come".
In 1980 she returned to Jamaica to further her career, and performed at the Reggae Sunsplash festival in 1981. Also in 1981 she finished runner up in the Festival Song Contest with "Peace and Love". She had hits in Jamaica with "Like Old Friends Do", "It Must Be Love", "Winnie Mandela", "Stealing Love on the Side", "Dial My Number" and "Going Down to Paradise", and released a string of albums in the 1980s and first half of the 1990s, becoming one of Jamaica's most established female reggae artists. In 1985 she recorded a duet with Gregory Isaacs — "Feeling Irie" — on his Private Beach Party album. In 1990 she was named Best Female Vocalist at the Caribbean Music Awards. She toured as part of the Reggae Sunsplash World Peace Tour in 1991.
In 1996 she was diagnosed with breast cancer and her Christian faith became a more important part of her life. She returned to recording gospel music, which she had first recorded in the early 1990s. She released the album Vessel in 1998, and in 2000 her single "This Island Needs Jesus" was a major hit in several Caribbean countries. She became involved in cancer charity work, with half of the proceeds from her 2003 album Author and Finisher going to the Jamaica Cancer Society. Davis has continued to perform regularly, including appearances at the Redbones Blues Revue, Fun in the Son, and Live On The Waterfront.
In 2000, Davis was named Minister of music for The Family Church on the Rock in Kingston. In 2006 she gained a doctorate in pastoral counselling from the Trinity Theological Seminary in South Florida.
By the mid-2000s Davis had her own recording studio, Judah Recording, and the Glory Music productions record label, run with her husband Tommy Cowan.
In 2014 Davis released the album Dripping Blood, and announced that 25 percent of royalties would go to US-based charity Samaritan's Purse to fund their work fighting Ebola in Liberia. The album reached number 3 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart.

Discography


I Remember (19??), Pioneer International
At the Right Time (1980), Carib Gems
Paradise (1984), Orange
Yesterday Today Forever (198?), Nicole Music
Taking Control (1987), Nicole Music
Reggae Songbird (1990), Peter Pan
Gospel Reggae (1991), VP
No Bias (1991), Sonic Sounds
Carlene Davis (1992), Gee Street
Taking Control (1992), VP
Songs of Bob Marley (1993), Eko/VP
Christmas Reggae Rock (1992), Orchard
Jesus Is Only A Prayer Away (1992)
Songs of Freedom (1993), Lagoon
Echoes of Love (1995), VP
Passion & Pain (1995), Avex
Vessel (1998), Jet Star
Redeemed (2000), VP
Alive For Jesus (2002), Gospel Times
Christmas Everyday (2002)
Author and Finisher (2003), Glory/VP
Rock Me Jesus (2005), VP/Universal
True Worship (2009), VP/Glory
Dripping Blood (2014), VP/Glory
Compilations
The 15 Classics (1991), Sonic Sounds
Best of Glory (2009), VP
Songs in other projects
Caribbean Gospel: Book One, "One Day at a Time", "Give All to Jesus" (2001), VP
Caribbean Gospel: Book Two, "I Saw the Light" (with Junior Tucker), "I Surrender All" (2006), VP
Caribbean Gospel: Book Three, "Rivers of Babylon/I Shall Not be Moved" (2009), VP

References


External links


Official website

My Forever Friend My Forever Friend - Carlene Davis

Days of Elijah Days of Elijah - Carlene Davis

This Island Needs Jesus This Island Needs Jesus - Carlene Davis

Praising God Praising God - Carlene Davis

Do you know of other songs by Carlene Davis?
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Albums & Songs

  • What If I Stumble (Nyabingi)
  • Healing Rain
  • Alpha & Omega
  • Amazing Grace
  • Goodness Of God
  • Jehovah Is Your Name
  • Vessel
  • Rapha (Remix)
  • In Your Presence
  • Jah Shall Wipe Away
  • My Sweet Lord
  • Yahweh
  • Sing Freedom
  • Songs of Zion
  • Days Of Elijah
  • Christmas Inna Trenchtown (Radio Mix)
  • Christmas Inna Trenchtown (Extended Mix)
  • Cry Me a River, Pt. 2
  • Cry Me a River, Pt. 1
  • Boy I Love You
  • Hey Little Boy
  • Desperate Lover
  • Angel in Your Arms
  • Can't You See
  • Ungrateful Daddy
  • Dance All Night
  • Jah Shall Wipe Away All Tears (Dub Mix)
  • Jah Shall Wipe Away All Tears
  • Santa Claus Do You Ever Come to the Ghetto (Instrumental)
  • Santa Claus Do You Ever Come to the Ghetto
  • Santa Claus Do You Ever Come to the Ghetto (Instrumental)
  • Santa Claus Do You Ever Come to the Ghetto
  • Hallelujah Feat. Ali Mcnab
  • Rise up Feat. Kevin Downswell, Rondel Positive & Naomi Cowan
  • Martha's Gone to Westmoreland (Remix)
  • Shake It off Feat. DJ Nicholas (Remix)
  • The Assignment (Remix)
  • Praising God
  • Over Me
  • Shake It Off (The Word)
  • Martha's Gone to Westmoreland
  • Lord I Lift My Spirit
  • Lord You're Holy
  • I'm No Longer a Slave to Fear (feat. Naomi Cowan)
  • Abundant Rain
  • Shake It Off (The Song) [feat. Dj Nicholas]
  • Dip Dem
  • God Is Light
  • Jehovah Is Your Name
  • I Believe
  • Pray for You (feat. Marion Hall)
  • You Deserve It
  • Jamaica Belong to Jesus
  • The Assignment
  • Coming In From The Cold
  • Redemption Song
  • Soul Rebel
  • One Drop
  • Waiting In Vain
  • So Much Trouble In The World
  • Love & Affection
  • Talking Blues
  • Time Will Tell
  • Three Little Birds
  • Running Away
  • Satisfy My Soul
  • Praising God
  • Praising God (Dubwise)
  • Praising God (Dubwise)
  • Praising God
  • Dripping Blood (feat. Fran Fletcher)
  • All About You (feat. Naomi Cowan)
  • 10,000 Reasons
  • Whom Shall I Fear
  • Thank You Mr. Mandela
  • My Rock My Song
  • Only Your Glory
  • Live For You
  • King of Glory
  • Jubilee (feat. Papa San)
  • King of Kings
  • I Love to Love You Lord (feat. Jabez)
  • Been Through Enough
  • Dripping Blood
  • Nobody Greater
  • Divine Authority
  • Anthem
  • Hidden Treasure
  • I Have a Friend
  • Songs of Zion
  • My Child
  • Praise Him
  • Agnus Dei
  • Hungry for You
  • Pierced
  • Strong
  • Draw Me Close
  • Show Me Your Way
  • Little Is Much
  • Rock Me Jesus
  • Try Jah Love
  • Ambassador for Christ
  • This Island Needs Jesus
  • My Forever Friend
  • Dwelling In His Presence
  • Old Rugged Cross
  • Rock Me Jesus
  • Amazing Grace
  • God Is
  • Handful of Salt (feat. Grace Thrillers)
  • Lord I Lift Your Name Up High (feat. Jr. Tucker)
  • Draw Me Close
  • Ambassador for Christ
  • Nothing But the Blood of Jesus (feat. Naomi Cowan)
  • One Day At a Time
  • Through It All
  • God Is Truly Amazing / Love In Your Heart / Somewhere Over the Rainbow
  • Why Me Lord
  • Give Them All to Jesus
  • Precious Lord
  • Amazing Grace
  • Jesus Is Only a Prayer Away
  • Mary Don't You Sweep
  • One Day At a Time
  • True Worship Medley: Only You Are Holy / To Worship You I Live / Alpha and Omega (feat. Grace Thrillers)
  • Open Book / In You Lord
  • Healing Is the Children's Bread (Acoustic)
  • Healing Rain
  • After All I've Been Through
  • Blue Waters
  • I Will Worship You / I Exalt Thee
  • Threshing Floor
  • Triumph
  • Give Thanks
  • Rivers of Babylon / I Shall Not Be Moved
  • God Has a Way
  • Handful of Salt (feat. Grace Thrillers)
  • Winnie Mandela
  • The First Word In Memory
  • Tell Me a Lie
  • Taking Control
  • Run Run
  • Oh I Wish
  • Not for Sale
  • Don't Rush
  • I Don't Know Why You Want Me
  • Better Give Love a Try
  • Love a Woman Gives to a Man
  • Don't You Stop the Music
  • Going Down to Paradise
  • My Mistake
  • Ism Schism
  • Quick Sand
  • Could I Found Love
  • His World, My World
  • Making It Through
  • Stealing Love
  • Forever Without You
  • Like Old Friends Do
  • It Must Be Love
  • Don't Ever Change
  • Harder They Come
  • My Forever Friend
  • This Island Needs Jesus
  • Jesus There's Something About That Name
  • Hallelujah Medley
  • Let the Church Unite
  • Wish I Knew Then
  • Lord I Give You My Heart
  • Redeemed
  • Nothing But the Blood of Jesus
  • I Shall Not Be Moved
  • Walk the Walk
  • Holy Holy Holy
  • Precious Lord Clap Your Hands
  • We Give You All the Glory
  • Auld Lang Syne
  • When a Child Is Born
  • Give Love On Christmas Day
  • Virgin Mary
  • Bright Christmas Medley
  • Silent Night
  • Little Drummer Boy
  • Medley: God Is Truly Amazing / Love In Your Heart / Somewhere Over the Rainbow
  • Why Me Lord
  • Give Them All to Jesus
  • Precious Lord
  • Amazing Grace
  • Jesus Is Only a Prayer Away
  • Mary Don't You Weep
  • One Day At a Time
  • Taking Control
  • Redemption Song (Live)
  • Welcome Home Mr. Mandela
  • Jailer Man's Ballad
  • No Bias
  • The First Word In Memory
  • Everything I Own
  • Reggae Rebel
  • Tell Me a Lie
  • No Charge
  • Brother Bob
  • Don't Walk Away
  • She Is Not for Sale
  • Better Give Love a Try
  • My Forever Friend
  • May the Good Lord Bless and Keep
  • Old Rugged Cross
  • We Give You All the Glory (Reprise)
  • Moving Straight Ahead
  • Trust and Obey
  • Walk the Walk
  • God Is Watching You
  • Caught Up to Meet Him
  • We Give You All the Glory
  • Vessel
  • Just to Be Close
  • Soldier In the Army of the Lord
  • Wish I Knew Then
  • At Your Feet
  • Stand Up for Jesus
  • Holy Holy Holy
  • Days of Elijah
  • Let's Go Up to Mt. Zion
  • River Dance Revival
  • Risen King
  • Stand Still
  • Lion of Judah
  • My Turn
  • Dwelling In His Presence
  • Your Name Is Like Ointment
  • Through It All
  • By Any Means Necessary
  • God Is
  • Breathe On Me
  • Author & Finisher
  • Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
  • Love Came Down
  • Sacrifice of Love
  • Put Christ Back Into Christmas
  • Mary's New Born Babe
  • Medley: Sing Him a Melody
  • Fi Mi Jesus (He's Prince Emmanuel)
  • A Cradle In Bethlehem
  • Send the Soldiers
  • Christmas Everyday
  • Redemption Song
  • Soul Rebel
  • One Drop
  • Waiting In Vain
  • So Much Trouble
  • Love and Affectiion
  • Time Will Tell
  • Talking Blues
  • Three Little Birds
  • Running Away
  • Satisfy My Soul
  • I Have a Friend
  • Songs of Zion
  • Praise Him
  • Agnus Dei
  • My Child
  • Hungry for You
  • Pierced
  • Strong
  • Show Me Your Way
  • Draw Me Close
  • Little Is Much
  • Rock Me Jesus
  • Try Jah Love
  • Ambassador for Christ
  • When I Call Your Name
  • You're the One I Need
  • Brown Eyes Blue
  • Don't Stay Away
  • Money Can't Buy Life
  • I Remember
  • Strange Things
  • Come to Me Softly
  • Baby I Love You
  • Wondering Now
  • Love Me Tender (Japanese Mix)
  • Love Me Tender (Straight Mix)
  • I've Got a Feeling
  • Fight Back
  • Brown Eyes
  • Fire
  • Stand and Deliver
  • Alone In My Room
  • Rudy Get Bail
  • Some Day
  • Come to Me Softly
  • Sugar Baby
  • I've Got to Go Back Home
  • Freedom Street
  • Love Me Tender Remix
  • No Way
  • Lucky One
  • This Island Needs Jesus
  • Inna Dis Yah Country
  • Light of Jesus
  • It Must Be Love
  • Redeemed
  • Lord I Lift Up Your Name
  • Nothing But the Blood
  • This Island Needs Jesus (Brawta Mix)
  • Lord I Give You My Heart
  • I Shall Not Be Moved
  • Jesus Is Coming
  • Standing In the Ashes
  • My Forever Friend
  • May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You
  • Old Rugged Cross
  • We Give You All the Glory (Reprise)
  • Moving Straight Ahead
  • Trust and Obey
  • Walk the Walk
  • God Is Watching You
  • We Give You All the Glory
  • Caught Up to Meet Him
  • Just to Be Close
  • Vessel
  • Soldier In the Army of the Lord
  • Wish I Knew Then
  • At Your Feet
  • Stand Up for Jesus
  • Holy Holy Holy
  • This Island Needs Jesus
  • This Island Needs Jesus (Brawta Mix)
  • Bodyguard
  • Hallelujah Medley
  • Inna Dis Yah Country
  • Nothing But the Blood
  • Light of Jesus
  • Jesus Is Coming
  • It Must Be Love
  • Lord I Give You My Heart
  • Redeemed
  • Lord I Lift Your Name On High
  • Standing In the Ashes
  • I Shall Not Be Moved
  • When a Child Is Born
  • Auld Lang Syne
  • Give Love On Christmas Day
  • Virgin Mary
  • Bright Christmas Medley
  • Silent Night
  • Little Drummer Boy
  • Days of Elijah
  • River Dance Revival
  • Let's Go Mt. Zion
  • Risen King
  • Stand Still
  • Lion of Judah (feat. Prodigal Son, Tamara & Nicky of Forgiven)
  • My Turn
  • Dwelling In His Presence
  • Your Name Is Like an Ointment
  • God Is
  • Through It All
  • By Any Means Necessary (feat. Tommy Cowan)
  • Breathe On Me
  • The Author & Finisher
  • Hidden Treasure
  • I Have a Friend
  • Praise Him
  • Songs of Zion
  • My Child
  • Angus Dei
  • Hungry for You
  • Pierced
  • Draw Me Close
  • Strong
  • Show Me Your Way
  • Little Is Much
  • Rock Me Jesus
  • Try Jah Love
  • Ambassador for Christ
  • Yesterday, Today, Forever
  • With You
  • What's Going On
  • Sorry Doesn't Always Make It Right
  • Love Ship
  • Jailer Man's Ballad
  • Everything I Own
  • Got to Find Him
  • Don't Walk Away
  • Baby Be True
  • Auld Lang Syne
  • When a Child Is Born
  • Give Love On Christmas Day
  • Virgin Mary
  • Bright Christmas (Medley) (Dreaming of a Bright Christmas/Mary's Boy Child/Joy to the World/Oh Holy Night/Go Tell It On the Mountain/Wish You a Merry Christmas/Dreaming of a Bright Christmas
  • Little Drummer Boy
  • Silent Night
  • Thank You Mr. D.J.
  • Lady In Red
  • My Boy Lollipop
  • Dance 'n' Time
  • Boy I'm Gonna Miss You
  • Sorry Doesn't Make It Right
  • Everything I Own
  • Baby Be True
  • Burning Up
  • I've Got You Baby
  • Little Bit a Magic
  • Sweet Dreams
  • Only a Smile
  • The First Word In Memory
  • Tell Me a Lie
  • Lady In Red
  • Thank You Mr. D.J.
  • My Boy Lollipop
  • Dance 'N' Time
  • Boy I'm Gonna Miss You
  • Sorry Doesn't Make It Right
  • Everything I Own
  • Baby Be True
  • I've Got You Baby
  • Burning Up
  • Little Bit a Magic
  • Sweet Dreams
  • Only a Smile
  • The First Word In Memory
  • Tell Me a Lie