Reviewed by David Cranson

If you saw the classic O Brother Where Art Thou movie you'll remember the scene where grizzled old gospel men sing a song prior to what we think is to be the heroes' lynching. The lead singer of those bluesy gospellers was Isaac Freeman, one of the founders of the famed Fairfield Four. And as a result of the unexpected movie exposure we now have this album to marvel at Isaac's vocal talents. This is his first solo album - at the time of release (2002) he would've been around 74, so patience is a virtue (!) The album is blues gospel at its finest. A honey-coated, silky-smooth voice rumbling over some of the best, understated playing and singing this side of Eternity. I tell you brothers and sisters, if even just for the singing, Heaven is gonna be one FABULOUS place to be! Most of the tracks on here are standards or traditional pieces, with one exception. "Because He Lives", "Jesus On The Mainline", "Lord I Want You To Help Me" (on which is one of the deepest notes I have ever heard!) Mr Freeman sings it like he means it, and whether it's slow blues or shouted proclamations, you gotta sit up and take notice. Once again we have to be truly thankful for the (US) Southern gospel/Baptist tradition. There is a real feeling of originality about this recording, probably listened to properly on old vinyl, with scratches. You feel drawn in as if to an old sepia-toned picture of people standing outside a white-picket-fenced church, dressed up in their Sunday best, huge Bibles in hand, staring out the picture, but not smiling. Yet, also you feel as if you know these same people, as you see them, hands raised, heads lifted high and voices crying out to the Lord in praise and worship. Now there are smiles on the faces, now the bodies are swaying in time to the music, now the songs cry out to God, "I've Got Heaven On My Mind" and - the one new track - "You Must Come In At The Bottom". It's almost a cappella, with only a rhythm being tapped out for accompaniment. It sits very nicely with the rest of the music, being written in the style required. Final track, "The Liar" is not the same. It's a spoken story, well worth listening to and paying attention to. Once again some music with soul and a real (old) heartbeat.

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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