Living in San Francisco in the 1960s, he performed in a musical production called Women of the Blues, then joined a short-lived group of transvestite performance artists called The Cockettes in the early 70's (famed transvestite Divine was a member of the group as well). Sylvester can be seen in The Cockettes' outrageous short film Tricia's Wedding, lampooning the wedding of President Nixon's daughter Tricia, and in an eponymous 2002 documentary about the group.
In 1972, Sylvester supplied two cuts to Lights Out San Francisco, an album complied by the KSAN radio station and released on the Blue Thumb label. In 1973, Sylvester & his Hot Band released two rock-oriented albums on Blue Thumb (their self-titled debut was also known as "Scratch My Flower," due to a gardenia-shaped scratch-and-sniff sticker adhered to the cover). Signed a solo act to Fantasy Records in 1977, and working with the production talents of legendary Motown producer Harvey Fuqua. Sylvester later alleged that Fuqua cheated him out of millions of dollars.
Sylvester soon met his frequent collaborator Patrick Cowley. Cowley's synthesizer and Sylvester's voice proved to be a magical combination, and pushed Sylvester's sound in an increasingly dance-oriented direction; his second solo album - Step II (1978) - unleashed two disco classics: "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)," and "Dance (Disco Heat)." By this time both his live shows and recordings also recognizably featured the back-up vocals of Two Tons O' Fun: future Weather Girls Martha Wash and Izora Rhodes. 1979 brought three Billboard awards and an appearance in the movie, The Rose, starring Bette Midler.
Moving to Megatone Records in 1982, Sylvester quickly landed a Hi-NRG classic with "Do You Wanna Funk." He was close friends with other Megatone artists Linda Imperial and Jeanie Tracy. Sylvester was also very close to the legendary Patti LaBelle.
Later pressure from the label to "butch up" his image would result in him attending meetings in full-on drag. A drag photo shoot, which he staged and presented to label heads as a gag (calling it his "new album cover") would later grace the cover of Immortal after Sylvester died; it was the label's way of paying tribute to his spirit. In 1985, one of his dreams came true as he was summoned to sing back-up for Aretha Franklin on her Who's Zoomin' Who comeback album. His sole Warner Bros. album was Mutual Attraction in 1986; a single from the album, "Someone Like You," featured original cover art by Keith Haring.
Sylvester died of complications from AIDS on December 16, 1988. His good friend Jeanie Tracy took care of Sylvester during his last days.
In the late 1990's, performance artist Djola Branner (co-founder of the highly influential Pomo Afro Homos troupe) created his acclaimed solo piece and CD Mighty Real around the life of Sylvester.
On September 20, 2004 Sylvester's anthem record, You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real), was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame. A year later, on September 19, 2005, Sylvester himself was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame for his achievement as an artist.
In 2005, a biography written by Joshua Gamson and titled The Fabulous Sylvester: The Legend, The music, The 70s in San Francisco was published.
2. Sylvester (Sylvester Larsen , born 1973) is a danish artist, who has released 4 albums. He is the son of Kim Larsen. See www.sylvesterlarsen.dk
How Great Thou Art
Sylvester Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Whoa ho, My God
When- when I
In awesome wonder
Consider
All the worlds
Thy hands have made
Whoa- I-I- I see the stars,
I hear the Rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed
Then sings my soul, yes it does
My Saviour God
Saviour God, to Thee
Whoa, how great Thou art
How great Thou art
Then sings my soul
Oh Lord, my Saviour
My Saviour God, my Lord, to Thee
How great Thou
Thou art,
How great
Thou
How great Thou art!
Mhmmm,mhmm
In Sylvester's version of the classic hymn "How Great Thou Art," he begins by pondering the majesty of God's creation. He reflects on how the universe reflects God's incredible power and creativity, from the stars in the sky to the rolling thunder. This sense of awe and wonder at the immensity of God's creation leads Sylvester to burst forth in praise, singing of his gratitude to God as his Savior. Throughout the song, Sylvester's soul is filled with joy and gratefulness for God's greatness.
The original version of "How Great Thou Art" was actually a Swedish hymn, written by Carl Gustav Boberg in 1885. It was translated into English in the 1920s and has since become widely known and beloved in the United States and beyond. Over the years, numerous artists across different genres have recorded their own versions of the hymn, each bringing their own interpretations and unique styles to the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Mhmmm
Sounds of awe and reverence, indicating the singer's deep respect for God
Whoa ho, My God
An expression of heightened emotion, recognizing God's greatness
When- when I
A reflective statement, acknowledging the singer's personal experience
In awesome wonder
Feeling a sense of amazement and admiration at God's creation
Consider
To think deeply and carefully about something
All the worlds
The entirety of God's creation, including the physical and spiritual dimensions
Thy hands have made
Acknowledgment of God's creative power, attributing all creation to Him
Whoa- I-I- I see the stars,
Observing the beauty of the night sky, and recognizing God's handiwork
I-I-I surely hear the rolling
Perceiving the sounds of thunder, again recognizing God's creative power
I hear the Rolling thunder
A repetition of the previous line, emphasizing the power and magnitude of the thunder and therefore God's power
Thy power throughout the universe displayed
Marveling at the omnipresence of God's power, recognizing it everywhere within the universe
Then sings my soul, yes it does
The singer's spirit is lifted up and filled with joy by the thoughts and feelings expressed
My Saviour God
Addressing God as the one who saves us from our sins
Saviour God, to Thee
Offering praise and devotion to the Savior, giving thanks for His sacrifice
Whoa, how great Thou art
Expressing wonder and amazement at how great God truly is
How great Thou art
A repetition of the previous line, emphasizing the greatness of God
Then sings my soul
The singer's spirit continues to express thanks and praise, filled with awe
Oh Lord, my Saviour
Addressing God as the Lord and Savior with great respect and admiration
My Saviour God, my Lord, to Thee
Offering respect and devotion to God as the one who saves and sustains us
How great Thou
Acknowledging once again the greatness and power of God
Thou art,
God's power and glory are always present and ever-impressive
How great
Repeating the acknowledgement of God's greatness
Thou
Referring to God, the source of all power and goodness
How great Thou art!
Affirming the greatness of God, and the singer's joy at being in His presence.
Writer(s): Stuart Hine
Contributed by Olivia I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@stanharry3722
This is so beautiful and you can hear it from the heart of Sylvester...just beautiful RIP Sylvester I can only imagine him singing in heaven..thank you Sylvester for this..
@alienzardsketter.9076
I so hope and pray that Sylvester James is in paradise with Almighty God ,,,,No one is worthy only through Jesus Christ will any of us see God and receive eternal life .
@stanharry3722
I still listen to this and think it is so beautiful and only he could have sung this. This coming December 16 he would be gone now 33 years. Missed so much by many. RIP Sylvester..thank you..
@jg2699
He is BLOWING!!! My goodness!
@davidlacoursimien5450
Only Sylvester could compete with the great Mahalia Jackson singing this song! Listen to Mahalia’s version and then listen to Sylvester’s version! Both are GREAT but to know that Sylvester could sing equal to Mahalia’s is testament to his artistry and talent!
@b.u.dmusic9424
The best version of this song on YouTube. He and Nell Carter just nailed this song along with Yolanda Adams
@therealrodney8561
When I first heard this on CD I had an out of body experience!
@NOrleansbro
Wow...Beautiful.
@damonemontez
Yes, Lord!!!
@BrotherEDEN
COGIC !!!