Reviewed by Dave Brassington

For many years Del McCoury has been regarded as one of bluegrass music's most revered performers and has a string of award winning albums available, but this is his first ever purely gospel album. It also marks the debut of a new bass player Alan Bartram which is the first change in The Del McCoury Band's lineup for many a long year - the other members being Del's two sons, Rob on banjo and Ronnie on mandolin, with Jason Carter's fine fiddle backing. On my first playing I found myself quite unfamiliar with many of the songs, but several of them are from the pen of Albert E Brumley, so Del has obviously researched many good but lesser known songs from the famed country gospel songwriter. One song I did know, "Don't Put Off Until Tomorrow" which Bill Monroe has recorded, is a particular delight. Other standouts are "Five Flat Rocks" and "It's An Unfriendly World". This album is just brilliant from start to finish, featuring Del's unique vocal style, backed up by the superb acoustic accompaniment. There are very many bluegrass gospel albums, but this has to be one of the best that I have heard in a very long time.

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