One of the strongest roots of country music has always been gospel, so this collection of country stars delivering gospel tunes live at the Opry seems like a perfectly natural occurrence. From the Charlie Daniels Band's frenetic, Southern-rock-tinged take on "I'll Fly Away" to deep-voiced Nashville superstar Trace Adkins's agreeably loping, low-key version of "Wayfaring Stranger," HOW GREAT THOU ART lends just the right amount of twang and down-home flavor to a brace of enduring spiritual tunes.

Country music's interconnection with gospel goes way back, a deliberate synthesis that began, at least commercially, in the early 1900s, and the two genres have informed each other back and forth ever since. In the contemporary era, where country has taken on more and more of a pop sheen, becoming in many cases a reconfiguring of what used to be called country-rock a dozen years ago, singing gospel has become a way for current stars to reconnect with their actual country roots, and as this 12-track collection shows, for all the high-pressure marketing that goes into the country music business these days, a good gospel tune amounts to a good cleansing.

Many of the selections presented here were recorded at a taping for a GAC TV special done on January 20, 2008, while a handful of the tracks were recorded at earlier Opry appearances between the years 2000 and 2008. The result is a warm, soothing, and at times deeply moving album that reinforces the long dialogue between country and gospel.


  All Time Gospel Favorites CD
  by Loretta Lynn
Our Price: $11.15 CD
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Personnel: Loretta Lynn (vocals); Kris Wilkinson String Section, Jim Grosjean, Robert Mason , Carl Gorodetzky, Pamela Sixfin, Lee Larrison, Alan Umstead, Gary VanOsdale (strings); Charlie McCoy (harmonica); Mike Leech (bass guitar); Bob Bailey, Millie Kirkham (background vocals); Jerry Kennedy (guitar, dobro); Jimmy Capps, Pat Flynn, Pete Wade (guitar); Sonny Garrish (steel guitar); Glen Duncan (mandolin, fiddle); Hargus "Pig" Robbins (keyboards); Gene Chrisman (drums); Cindy Walker, The Jordanaires, Vicki Hampton, Bergen White (background vocals).

All Time Gospel Favorites is a Time Life compilation with material taken from Loretta Lynn's numerous religious-themed albums. Among the 20-tracks are such traditional hymns as "Just a Closer Walk With Thee," "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," "How Great Thou Art," "Amazing Grace" and "Old Time Religion." Any fan of Loretta Lynn will enjoy this mid-priced disc. ~ Al Campbell

Recording information: Reflection Studio, Nashville, TN.
Photographer: Les Leverett.
Arranger: Stuart K. Hine.



  Home To You CD
  by Peasall Sisters
Our Price: $12.15 CD/ $10.89 MP3
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Sarah, Hannah, and Leah Peasall made their debut as the preternatural voices of George Clooney's wee daughters in O Brother, Where Art Thou? The precocious trio, now in their teens, have assembled a talented behind-the-scenes crew (Randy Scruggs, Jamie Hartford, and producer John Carter Cash) on their second full-length recording -- and first for the Dualtone label - - Home to You. What sets the project apart from similar forays is the talent that emanates from the girls themselves. This is old-timey music in the tradition of the Carter Family, not some flash-in-the-pan quota filler for Nashville's studio elite. Old-fashioned country themes of family and faith dominate, but there's a breeziness to the whole affair that renders it effortlessly listenable. Carter's lazy, front-porch production lends itself well to the girls' refreshingly plain vocals and ample instrumental skills, resulting in a collection of tunes both self-penned ("Logtown," "Gray County Line") and traditional ("Angel Band," "Fair and Tender Ladies") that exudes quality, not commodity. ~ James Christopher Monger

Dirty Linen (p.54) - "HOME TO YOU is loaded with warm harmony singing that radiates a homespun, youthful, and at times fragile charm..."


  Don't Let Me Miss The Glory CD
  by Gordon Mote
Our Price: $10.95 CD / $9.99 MP3
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On 2007's DON'T LET ME MISS THE GLORY, respected Nashville-based singer/pianist Gordon Mote presents an uplifting set of Christian-themed country tunes. Blind since birth, the performer nonetheless has an unshakable faith, which is proudly showcased on songs such as the bluegrass-tinged "Adoration" and the sweeping title track. Featuring guest appearances by Alison Krauss and revered CCM acts the Gaither Vocal Band and the Isaacs, GLORY serves as a fine introduction to this compelling artist.

Personnel: Gordon Mote (piano, Fender Rhodes piano, Wurlitzer organ, background vocals); Gordon Mote (Wurlitzer piano, Hammond b-3 organ); Kimberly Mote (vocals, background vocals); Gaither Vocal Band, The Isaacs (vocals); Duncan Mullins (bass guitar); Russell Terrel, Kimberly Mote (background vocals); Alison Krauss (vocals); Bryan Sutton (acoustic guitar, banjo); B. James Lowry (acoustic guitar); Kelly Back, Brent Mason (electric guitar); Paul Franklin, Scott Sanders (steel guitar, dobro); Audrey Haney (mandolin, fiddle); Lonnie Wilson, Scott Williamson (drums, percussion); Marshall Hall, Mike Sykes, Charlotte Ritchie, Wes Hampton (background vocals).

Audio Mixer: Ben Fowler.
Liner Note Author: Gordon Mote.
Recording information: Arrowhead Studios; Emerald Studios; Leiper's Fork, TN; Media Resource Group, Cleveland, TN; SOny Tree Studios; Studio 6, San Francisco, CA; The Rec Room; The Tracking Room, Nashville, TN.
Photographer: Russ Harrington.



  Church In The Wildwood CD
  by Bill & Gloria Gaither
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For CHURCH IN THE WILDWOOD, Bill & Gloria Gaither meet up with their usual crowd of Homecoming Friends to boom their resounding message of praise through the pines, elms, and oaks surrounding an isolated church. The assemblage of passionate souls who populate the Gaither world lift up their voices with such thrilling thunder that one could imagine their power filling the woods around the church with devotional spirit.

On this outing, the Gaither group, as it often does, focuses its energy on standard hymns, sung live in the most joyous manner. Jeff & Shari Easter open the festivities with the old-time folk of "Keep on the Sunny Side," and the album continues in that vein. There is an almost Woody Guthrie feel running through the record, particularly when the sweet Peasall Sisters sing the fetching "Farther Along." The celebration closes comfortably with Stephen Hill leading the chorus on the always-welcome "Will The Circle Be Unbroken?"

Bill Gaither (Gospel): Gloria Gaither, Bill Gaither (vocals). Additional personnel: Jeanne Johnson, Jeff and Sheri Easter, Mike Allen, Selah, Squire Parsons, Hayes Family, Homecoming Friends, The Peasall Sisters, Woody Wright, Ben Speer.


  Going Home CD
  by Bill & Gloria Gaither
Our Price: $15.05 CD / $9.99 MP3
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GOING HOME is part two of a two part series (part one is entitled HEAVEN), which gathers a group of Christian authors, theologians, artists and children to explore the concept of heaven though music, dialogue and readings.

Not simply a collection of songs, GOING HOME (the companion piece to HEAVEN), is an ambitious gathering of musicians, theologians, preachers, and devoted Christians, all directed and encouraged by Gospel legends Bill And Gloria Gaither. The album is presented in a format that's part Southern Baptist service and part Broadway show, constantly engaging the listener with prayers, advice, stories, religious ruminations, and a wide variety of uplifting music.

The Gaither's greatest strength has always been their obvious sincerity and easygoing manner, and these qualities are more apparent than ever on GOING HOME. What was surely an immensely complicated undertaking that could easily have turned into a logistical nightmare here has the wonderful feel of a spontaneous living room sing-a-long.

Musically, the repertoire ranges from traditional small group bluegrass to massive choral ensemble pieces, all delivered with overflowing good will and relaxed virtuosity


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