Del Wood And The First Nashville Jesus Band - Rag Time Glory Special
STYLE: Country RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 119946-18574 LABEL: Lamb And Lion LL1009 FORMAT: 12 inch vinyl Album
Reviewed by Mike Rimmer
Pianist Del Wood was 53 years old and a veteran country session player and performer when she teamed up with the First Nashville Jesus Band in 1973 to record this instrumental album. Earlier in her career Del had pioneered her honky tonk piano style, recorded a million selling hit "Down Yonder" and gained a permanent residency as pianist at the Grand Ole Opry. This collection of gospel tunes and hymns shows off her unarguable piano talents although sometimes the backing feels a little incongruous like on "Glory Special". However most of this works very well so you get versions of "Leaning On The Everlasting Arms", "Whispering Hope" and "Power In The Blood" which work well if you're a fan of the honky tonk sound. There's a fine piano and fiddle version of Stuart Hamblen's "This Ole House" and a very jolly closing "Keep On The Firing Line". You can see why she was still playing at the Opry up until her passing at the age of 69!
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