Marcia Hines has the voice of an angel. Not some fragile, ethereal angel, but an earthy angel with a song powerful and clear enough to send the devil packing. Growing up in Boston, she inherited a mighty spiritual and musical legacy from her single, “God-fearing” mother, who taught her strength and kindness in equal measure, and from her godmother, who played piano and sang in the church choir.
Now, aged 70, Marcia is giving voice to these early influences – and others, including the role that brought her to stardom in Jesus Christ Superstar – with a new album, The Gospel According to Marcia.
When we meet in a cafe overlooking Sydney Harbour, she’s just had her nails painted blue, she wears jeans, her hair is in braids, she’s animated and ageless. She has two more gigs left on a national tour before she launches into Australian Idol, then a schedule that barely gives her room to breathe until next winter, which delights her. Work feeds her soul. And she is looking forward to Christmas, which has always been a special time of year for Marcia.
What did you love about Christmas when you were a child?
Everything. The snow – Boston’s freezing. It would get so cold, school would close. So, it was that magical feeling that you see on Christmas cards. We decorated the tree – always a fresh Christmas tree.
Tell us about your godmother, Florence James.
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