Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Having already released this compilation on vinyl specialist label Dust To Digital have now released this dazzling compilation of field recordings on CD. The fascinating sleevenotes by David Evans, the folklorist who recorded these tracks in the '60s and '70s during his trips across the USA, rightly observes that "most blues singers in the south today, though they rarely attend church except for funerals and baptisms, still believe in God, Jesus and the Bible" and this is demonstrated with sanctified tracks from some relatively well known bluesmen like Furry Lewis, Robert Nighthawk and Babe Stovall along with more obscure figures like Eddie Lee 'Mustright' Jones and Katie Mae Young. In fact, Katie Mae turns in one of the most dazzling performances with a goosebump-inducing acappella "By The Grace Of My Lord, I've Come A Long Way". Elsewhere the stunning bottleneck guitar of Furry Lewis, the searing music of blues singer turned preacher Rubin Lacy and the deft guitar picking of Blind Pete Burrell all make their mark while the fife and drum music of Ephram Carter and others clearly demonstrates the African roots of African American music. This is as raw and unpolished as gospel music gets but its intensity and sheer passion makes it truly timeless.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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