Southern gospel
and
bluegrass
have often borrowed from one another: the former borrowing banjos, guitars, and mandolins; the latter borrowing songs and singing styles. It's unlikely, in many cases, that a listener would be able to tell the difference between a
and a
gospel
band delivering a
song.
True Bluegrass Gospel
offers a broad survey covering 20 tracks from a number of well-known
artists, from tradition-bound
Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mountain Boys
to the newgrass-influenced
Seldom Scene
, and from the group harmony of
Paul Williams & the Victory Trio
to the individual vocals of
Rhonda Vincent
. The theology that underlines each of these songs (fundamentalist Christianity), the musicianship, and the outstanding harmony provide a consistent link between the ultra-traditionalism of
the Country Gentlemen
's
"Where No Cabins Fall"
and the more contemporary style of
the Forbes Family
"Drivin' Nails,"
and between the
old-timey
meets
of
the Stanley Brothers
'
"Angel Band"
"When I Lay My Burdens Down"
and the smoother sounds of
IIIrd Tyme Out
"When He Reached Down His Hand for Me."
Whether the music on this collection reflects one's personal theology or whether one just appreciates good roots music,
is a fine collection and a solid introduction to an enduring tradition. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.