Reviewed by Tony Cummings

When recordings slip out of copyright dozens of opportunist companies bundle together tracks for a seeming endless succession of compilations. There are literally dozens of such compilations featuring gospel music out there but this one is distinctly unusual in that it brings together numerous country gospel oldies from the likes of Bill Monroe, Kitty Wells, Marty Robbins, Patsy Cline, Slim Whitman, The Sons Of The Pioneers, etc and puts them in the same package as old black gospel cuts from such acts as the Golden Gate Quartet, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the Staple Singers, Mahalia Jackson, the Harmonizing Four, Clara Ward, etc. If this wasn't head-spinning enough, there's also a smattering of tracks which don't fit easily into either category from the likes of Nat King Cole, Elvis Presley, Paul Robeson and Harry Belafonte. Theologically it's pleasing to see the divide between white and black segments of the Church so flamboyantly disregarded though one has serious doubts whether those who might enjoy the soulful pyrotechnics of the Swan Silvertones, will go for the homespun corn of Stuart Hamblen, but with 66 tracks on offer at a budget price purchasers can always skip the recordings they don't enjoy.

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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