Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

Recorded in 1978/9 this double CD is simply an historical folk record of religious practice in a small area of North Caroline. It is a curious set of interviews and recordings of music in church gatherings and public performances made for the Library Of Congress. A snapshot of religious activities to give historians of the future a feel for the life of Christians in the late '70s. Even 20 years later, I am amazed by how old fashioned a lot of this stuff sounds. I guess even at the time it was old fashioned. There are snippets of sermons, interviews and testimonies and some real downhome music from Gospel quartets and country music to hymns sung badly by the congregation and preachers' prayers. As an historical document, it makes fascinating listening and I have to say I found the speech items more listenable than the music! My favourite parts are Florence Cheek's testimony "A Vision In A Tobacco Barn" where she retells a spiritual experience and the recording of a baptism. A full booklet, transcription and loads of photos add to the historicity of the CD and these testimonies to God's activity in ordinary lives are forever frozen in time.

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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