Editorial Review

Reviews (11)

HOW GREAT THOU ART
ELVIS IS ONE OF THE GREATEST GOSPEL SINGERS TO SET FOOT ON THIS EARTH. THIS ALBUM SHOWS HIS TRUE EMOTION AND IF ONE CAN LISTEN TO IT WITH A DRY EYE-HE DID BETTER THAN I. THESE RECORDINGS SHOW THE DEPTH OF HIS VOICE AS WELL AS HIS LOVE FOR GOSPEL MUSIC. I RECOMMEND THIS ALBUM TO ALL MY FRIENDS. IT IS GREAT............................ .

Classic gospel album
A classic Elvis Presley album, cut at the May 1966 studio sessions in Nashville, the first under the supervision of producer Felton Jarvis, who would be fundamental in the latter part of Elvis' career. Released amidst a series of formula movie soundtracks, the inspired "How Great Thou Art" appeared as a beacon of hope and the harbinger of artistic revitalization that would eventually result in Elvis' comeback of 1968/69. The album, grouping 12 traditional religious songs recorded at the May 1966 session, plus "Crying In The Chapel" from 1960, is a treat from start to end. Outstandingly sung and superbly crafted, it earned Elvis a Grammy Award. Highly recommended.

Reviews (9)

Love of God in His Heart
Being a Christian and Loving Elvis, after hearing this
CD, I am convinced that Elvis had the love of God in his heart
I don't think he could sing these songs as well as he does without it.

His best album ever!
Maybe I'm crazy, but I love this album! Every song is contagious! I admit, I wasn't sure going in, because the songs are of a religious nature. But it doesn't matter what he's singing about, the music and the performances are top of the line. This has to be one of the best, most consistant album in Elvis' body of work.

Reviews (6)

Southern Gospel like only the CDB can make
As always with Charlie Daniels, he gives his listeners a wide variety of flavors on this wonderful album. There is not one song here that doesn't sound good and real. He gives us everything from his classic southern rock to bluegrass, blues to country, and always sounds sincere. Daniels is a great Christian man and this album will become an instant favorite when you are in need of true inspiration. My favorite tracks are "Softly and Tenderly," "I'll Fly Away," "Somebody Was Prayin' For Me," and "Kneel At The Cross."

Soulful and Beautiful!
I recommend this CD set to anyone who loves God and country music. I can't get enough of Charlie Daniels soulful style of music that lifts your spirit and makes you feel closer to our Lord. You won't regret buying this at all!

Reviews (9)

A Christian Gem
This Cd is fantastic. I love the Jerusalem Trilogy. All of my family members love the "Crucify Him" song. The Power of Prayer is another great song. This soundtrack is full of different musical styles, great lyrics, and is better than a lot of the Christian contemporary cds. I love it.

Hard driving, soul grabbing music you can dance to,
I love this album. It's an organized musical suite (don't hit "random play" on your CD player) that tells the story of the Gospel and how it affects Daniels. The "Crucify Him" piece of the Jerusalem trilogy chills my bones, while the "Glory Halleluliah" part makes me jump with joy. Who can't relate to "Two out of Three" ("Oh, Jesus how could you love me...When I have a choice between good and bad, I pick bad two out of three.") "Protected by Prayer" celebrates God's intervention in the scary parts of our daily lives. The music is focused, hard driving and soul stirring. But be warned. You can't easily sit down and listen to this. When I hear this music, it makes me dance!

Reviews (7)

Religious music you can dance to
I love Charlie Daniels and The Door is one of my favorite albums for dancing my prayers. So I ordered Steel Witness expecting the same. The music doesn't disappoint, although it is perhaps somewhat less compelling than that in The Door, being less coordinated. But I have some theological issues with three songs, since I come from a tradition which does not accept his Rapture theology. But that doesn't stop me from playing the album- I just rachet up my tamborines and dance along to the glory of God.

Disappointed
There was no mistaking about this being Charlie Daniels. However, every song seemed to be at the same pace and tempo.
It sounded like his bus was running outside and he was in a hurry to get going. Some Gospel Music just can't be sang in a fast tempo and still have the same message. I've collected and sung Gospel Music for 40yrs. I'm glad Charlie is singing a different tune these days .... but he needs to slow it down a bit.

Reviews (7)

Pleasant country gospel
Being a teenager in the 70s in the Midwest, I couldn't escape hearing the Marshall Tucker Band. I recently acquired a 2 CD greatest hits package and enjoyed reliving some of those memories. When I discovered that a later incarnation of MTB had recorded a gospel CD, I was greatly interested. I returned to the faith as an adult, and I'm not enamored by contemporary Christian music. So to have a gospel CD performed by a band from my (wild) youth seemed appropriate.

This band is not, of course, the same MTB as the original band, but they do have one of the original vocalists who sang most of their early hits. These songs are performed in a style of country that you commonly hear on the radio today - with a little rock flavor. Most of the songs are very well done and I look forward to enjoying this CD for years to come. There are a few low points - a second lead vocalist takes over on a few songs, and I think there could have been other songs he would have been more effective than the first lead vocalist, and vice versa. Otherwise this is a listenable set of gospel songs, sung with conviction, played in a contemporary country style.

Although this CD is now out of print, check out some of the other Amazon dealers. It's still available and at decent prices too. I received my CD quickly and it was new.

You Will Love Gospel!
It will be very hard to find a better gospel album than this one. The Tucker boys do an excellent job here; it is too bad it wasn't given much attention upon its release. It includes traditional southern gospel greats such as "Heart and Soul," and "Eye Is on the Sparrow," as well as the songs written by band members such as "Momma Don't Cry," and "Beauty of Life." Other highlights include the classic Tucker sounding "Wayfaring Stranger," with the great flute playing, and the jazzy "Will the Circle Be Unbroken." Any gospel or Tucker fan will cherish this album as much as I do.

Editorial Review

Reviews (2)

Turn Your Radio On (in stereo next time!)
This is a CD reissue of Ray Stevens' great 1973 gospel LP, Turn Your Radio On. In addition, a couple tracks from his best-selling Everything Is Beautiful are also included (including the great "A Brighter Day"). Despite the reputation Stevens has earned in recent years as a cornball, he was in the 1960s and 1970s a highly regarded singer/songwriter -- and rightly so. His best-selling novelty records were both funny and reflected true musicianship. His "straight" recordings were very well done -- very reminiscent of Joe South's excellent recordings. (Not surprising since both were nurtured by Bill Lowery in Atlanta.) Among other things, Stevens cut the first version of "Sunday Morning Coming Down." The LP "Turn Your Radio On" was revelatory when it was first released -- containing non-traditional arrangements of country and bluegrass gospel standards, as well as several wonderful Stevens originals ("Have a Little Talk With Myself," "A Mama and a Papa"). And, the sound mastering was impeccable -- one of the best-sounding albums to come out of Nashville in the early 1970s. Unfortunately, Curb has botched the reissue, inexplicably reproducing many of the stereo tracks in mono. This is probably one of the few recordings around where the scratchy vinyl edition produces better sound than its CD reissue. I can only assume it's because Curb couldn't find a "clean" copy of the LP to digitize -- it's easier to eliminate vinyl noise in mono. Hard to believe that on Amazon(.com) Auctions or SOMEWHERE a mint edition couldn't have been found to convert to CD. Because of this flaw -- as well as the poor packaging (Why change the title of the album? Why use a photo of Stevens that appears to be taken about 2 decades after the original LP was made? Why not include SOME liner notes or session info?) -- the CD itself only merits 3 stars. But, the songs contained herein, if only they had been presented correctly, are definitely 5-star caliber.

Editorial Review

Reviews (5)

A Must Have Country Gospel Album
Since I got this this album I can't stop playing it, every track is supberb. The message of the first track (Don't Overlook Salvation) is so apt, and I find myself singing track four {Holy(I bowed my Knees and cried Holy)}; to myself as I walk along. I would'nt take nothing for my journey now, is also an outstanding track.We need to have more good Christian Gospel music from Ricky Van Shelton. One can only be enthralled by such an album.

don"t overlook salvation
i would like to have the soundtrak of ricky vanshelton's
the tape of don't overlook salvation or just the sound trak of i saw a man. please e mail the answer and the price or your 800 number. johnny cash also recorded this. i saw a man. where can i get these sound trak's thanks for your help
billy carter

Reviews (6)

I love the music and songs on here!
I have the cassette of this. But the cassette is gone bad, so as soon as amazon.com gets the cd I will surely be purchasing it. George Jones does a wonderful job with these gospel songs. I love all the songs on it. Everyone ought to have this in their cd collection!

very disappointing and a complete bomb
These tracks are old, old, old. It sounds like they were recorded in somebody's basement. On one track George sounds like he's been inhaling helium. Definately not worth the price [...].

Reviews (6)

WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS
5 STARS, every person will feel a closeness that only Merle Haggard can portray for the love of Our Lord. Every song is moving, lovely and filled with love for all people. When you hear the story about his mother, it brings one to tears. Such love, such a voice.......thanks, Merle.

Beautiful & Uplifting!
I could not be happier with this CD. More than an excellent value. Each song is absolutely beautiful!!!

Merle Haggard is a master of songs
With his infectious and catchy vocals, I never once doubted Merle Haggard's gift of songs. Even when performing other people's work, he has that uncanny ability to make the songs his own.

But though I've always been among the legion of Merle Haggard fans, I never had an inkling that this ex-prisoner who made a career writing and performing honky tonkish and drinking songs is just as effective doing purely religious stuff. This compilation is quite an eye opener.

His performance of traditional hymns such as How Great Thou Art, What A Friend We Have In Jesus, Old Rugged Cross, Where No One Stands Alone, Softly And Tenderly, etc. can stand up and hold their own against those of other artists who had tried recording religious hymns before him. Tammy Wynette, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, and even the late king himself, Elvis Presley, have all tried their hands in this particular genre and placed alongside this exalted company, Merle is definitely an equal. His performance has never been as forceful and as effective.

Editorial Review

Reviews (21)

"Oh My Lord, Oh My Lord...."
John Fogerty, the reigning frontman to one of the best and most influential rock bands of the mid to late '60's, had left the band and had gone solo. No surprise there. When he did leave, one wondered what the next step his career and sound would take. Would the Creedence music and sound(all due to Fogerty)continue?. Yes. But what did Fogerty do when he went solo and released his first solo record in 1973?. He delivered a hardcore country album. This is by no means a real departure for John or from some of the music of CCR. There was a lot of country in their sound and that type of music. It had always been done in the band, but never a full album of it. There are a couple tunes that are straddling the line of traditional country and the country/rock sound of some of CCR's songs. But it's mostly stone cold country. Something Fogerty is a master at, and something most country fans probably wished he did more of since country is filled with generic soft pop/rock. The albums opens with the toe tapping jumbo blaster, "Blue Ridge Mountain Blues", a traditional old number Fogerty makes his. He then covers "Somewhere Listening(For My Name), which was a song done by Archie Branlee of the Mississippi Blind Boys. "You're The Reason" is a classic sounding country tune, originally done by Bobby Edwards, and it fits perfectly to Fogerty's voice. The best track on the album is "Jambalaya(On The Bayou", an old Hank Williams classic. A teriffic song that sounds as if John could of written it himself. Surprisingly, it was a top 20 hit on the Billboard singles chart, and the other hit here was the harder sounding "Hearts Of Stone", which was a top 40 hit at #37. He also covers the classic George Jones hit, "She Thinks I Still Care", yet another song that seems custom made for John. The last song is a song written by Merle Haggard, a real country chestnut called "Today I Started Loving You Again". The traditional "Have Thine Own Way, Lord" is also included. The two best tracks here are the smooth and undeniably groovin' "California Blues(Blue Yodel #4)", a perfect song for Fogerty. One of the best Fogerty songs that's not his. And the traditional "Workin' On A Building". It is surprising to hear how many people were turned off by the country turn of Fogerty, when a lot of his CCR work is rooted in souther/country-ish type tunes. The music is not far off from each other at all. Cover albums are touch and go, but this is one of the best cover albums I've heard. Sometimes it just works and sometimes it doesn't. It obviously does. The only other cover album that rocked my socks was Paul McCartney's "Run Devil Run", which just rocked harder than anything he's done in years. I hear some people complain when cover albums have songs that go so far back that they have never heard of them and what was the point. A cover album just covers songs that the artists wants and likes. No one said it has to be well known songs. In fact, songs not as well known are better because it brings great work into the light. This album is a little known gem that should of been as equally well known and successful as some of his other albums. It's a little buried treasure that should have a second coming.

A weird, yet quite wonderful, solo debut
I've always had a soft spot for this album.
Not a genuine rock song among the lot, this is all country and spirituals, yet Fogerty makes the whole thing sound sincere and appealing.
I'm a rock and blues fan myself, and I own very little in the way of traditional country, but I've always liked "The Blue Ridge Rangers".
The lead-off track is a real banjo-pickin' clog-stomper, the traditional "Blue Ridge Mountain Blues", yet Fogerty's characteristic baritone voice (no twang there) makes it into something that a rock band could actually play on stage and not have too many things thrown at them.
Then comes a beautiful religious piece, Mississippi Blind Boy Archie Brownlee's "Somewhere Listening For My Name", complete with a gospel choir consisting of Fogerty himself.

Bobby Edwards' "You're The Reason" has been transformed into something almost like a country-rocker with the addition of a rock n' roll backbeat from the man on the swivel chair (a certain Mr Fogerty), and Hank Williams' "Jambalaya" is given the rock treatment as well, guitar solo and everything, yet stays true to its country origins. Fogerty still does than one in concert on occation.

"She Thinks I Still Care" is a great vocal performance by John Fogerty, aided by himself on harmony vocals and steel guitar.
"Blue Yodel #4" was witten by the legendary Jimmie Rodgers, who influenced country- and blues singers alike, and the traditional gospel piece "Working On A Building" also popped up in concert on Fogerty's 1997-98 world tour. On this record he provides all the harmony vocals, hand claps and enthusiastic wails himself.

"Please Help Me, I'm Falling" is another catchy melody, the kind that's so much fun to sing if you have half a singing voice (a sinful pleasure, I know).
"Have Thine Own Way, Lord" has been sung by everyone from Slim Whitman and Marty Robbins to Pat Boone and Jim Reeves, and Fogerty does a lovely job with it, once again adding layers of harmony vocals.
"I Ain't Never" is a Mel Tillis/Webb Pierce song, and it's hard to sit still when it is playing. "Hearts Of Stone" was released as a single, and showed up in the top 50 on the pop charts (as did "Jambalaya"), and the album closes with the resigned country ballad "Today I Started Loving You Again", a Merle Haggard song, and another fine vocal perfomance.

Remember - this is not a rock record.
But it's a lot of fun to sing along to on a rainy afternoon, after making sure nobody can hear you, of course, and perhaps leaving a few hard rock records lying around in case anyone should come by!

JOHN FOGERTY "BLUE RIDGE RANGERS" 1973
An established musician/songwriter and the heart of Creedence Clearwater Revival, John Fogerty disbanded CCR in 1972 after his brother Tom had left not long before. Since John was pretty much Creedence Clearwater Revival, it really wasn't a stretch to have John go solo. Unfortunately, John decided to venture out on his new career by doing covers of songs that had influenced him (Paul McCartney would later make the same mistake).

Blur Ridge Rangers was a commercial and artistic flop. Of course its commercial success could be attributed to the fact that John Fogerty left his name off the original album cover. There are some good covers that John Fogerty has turned into his own, much like he did with "Suzie Q," "I Put A Spell On You" and my personal favorite "Midnight Special."

Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with cover songs (unless the cover song is a better song than the music the band performing it is writing), but an entire album? Come on! Maybe if John had picked some better songs that he could have passed off as his own then the album may hold up, unfortunately I don't have a time machine to go back to 1973 and stop John from making this record.

Reviews (46)

Perhaps Dylan's Best Album
This is one of Dylan's most mature albums, both lyrically and musically. I am not sure why one customer reviewer wonder "where are his clear critcial views?" They are HERE, and with force. Social/Religous commentary springs forth in prophetic tone on "When You Gonna Wake Up" (which is critical of religious hypocricy, disregard for the elderly, doctors-pushing drugs, and on and on), "Slow Train," and "Gotta Serve Somebody." My favorite song is "When He Returns," a moving and profound ballad, with beautfiul imagery: "Surrender your crown on this bloodstained ground, take off your mask. He sees your deeds, he knows your needs, even before you ask." From the slow to the grinding, this album is a powerful, moving, expression of Christian music. So-called Dylan fans who can not get past the 1970's and can not accept that Dylan has grown and matured and improved are really missing out on something here.

Slow Train Comin'
It is the truth that every one of us knows that there is a God and that we need him, but unfortunately we all supress that truth in one way or another because it tends to make us extremely uncomfortable. We like to at least feel like we are in control of our lives. This is the wrath of God, that he gives us over to ourselves. Well, Bob Dylan decided to recognize God's control over his life and he sings about it! The music is great, but I will admit that Dylan's lyrics do not measure up to the depth of many of his previous albums, which is unfortunate because knowing God reaches the very depths of the human heart and mind. But Dylan tends to sing giving his opinions, and this album is no different, except that hope is found throughout them.

Simply the best Spiritual Music I have heared.
Of all the albums I own,somewhere between 500-1000?
This is without doubt the most Spiritual.
I think if limited to just 5 albums on a desert island (or even on the 'island' we all live on)

Street Legal
Slow Train Coming
Saved
Shot of Love
Infidels

Reviews (40)

surprisingly enjoyable
i will keep this brief......i have been a fan of bob for about ten years and have every album released and have absolutely no interest in organized religion.......but i surprisingly continue to come back to give this album a listen.......i completely enjoy it....and feel that slowtrain coming and saved rank among his best works.....he is so inspired and it just flows out of him.....i would disagree with anyone that feels that this is a bad album...much less his worst....i would rate his worst as probably empire burlesque, and down in the groove.....since they both have very little to recommend them......saved however just shows yet another facet of the mans ever changing persona .........and proves that only dylan could write religious music that no one else will ever match ......although he only did it as a detour.....while other people spend their whole lives trying to write one, song about their faith, as great as the songs on saved....and it's companion slow train coming.........like it or not as far as religion goes....this is some of the best and most enduring christian music ever written

Highly underrated
Because I was not much of a fan of "Solid Rock," the track chosen to represent this album on "Biograph," not to mention hearing only negative reviews, I put off buying this album for a long time. It's unfortunate that many Dylan fans make the same mistake. This is certainly his strongest work of the 80s, next to Oh Mercy, and it stands on its own as being a great album. It's true that the music often sounds a bit muddled (I hear it sounds better on vinyl), and his vocals lack the force and skill demonstrated on Slow Train Coming (where his vocals were perfect), but unlike STC, Dylan seems sincere about Christianity (despite lines such as "He must have loved me oh so much to send me someone as fine as you") as some sort of answer, and not as a means to rant about politics (amusing as it was on STC). This is not an angry album. The main influence here is gospel music, and as a gospel record, it's a good one. I myself am not religious at all, but that doesn't really interfere with my enjoyment of "Saved," as is the case with some other Dylan fans I know. This is also the last album until Oh Mercy that is spared the fate of thin, strange 80s production. That began with the the 3rd of the religious trilogy, Shot of Love, and it's unfortunate, because that album suffers immensely from it.

Rollicking, Emotional, Sincere - among the best
In the early days of Dylan's career, it took Joan Baez's ANY DAY NOW (ASIN/B000000EKG) and other folk rockers to reveal to people the amazing lyrical nature of Dylan's melodies, which were often concealed behind his now-famous "raunching and rheuming voice" (Tom Wolfe.) Interestingly, once his musicality is discovered, that voice is found to reveal more with its vulnerability and transparency. You don't want anyone else but Dylan to sing, "How does it feeeel.." or "Seeeerve somebody."

SAVED is stuck in the blind spot for many reviewers. This time it is not the voice, but the testimony (to use the Christian word.) And the negative reviews are hiding behind pecksniffian dismissal of the songs' "lack of musicality" or "lyrical depth" or other phrases that seem to have been stolen from a smarmy NPR review. I can prove it: take a listen to the album GOTTA SERVE SOMEBODY: THE GOSPEL SONGS OF BOB DYLAN (ASIN/B00008NGAJ) by the likes of Aaron Neville, Dottie Peoples, Sounds Of Blackness, or Rance Allen. Listen to Saved, Pressing On, Are You Ready - and tell me that there is ANY lack of musical variety and beauty (as well as joy and inspriration) or lyrical insight!

Then, of course, return and listen to Dylan do the same songs. Who else can touch the ache of the heart, speaking to its maker, "What can I do for you?" or praise Him for a "covenant woman?" or the committment to keep "pressing on."

Reviews (30)

Too Much Mediocrity
Shot of Love is the 3rd and final of Bob Dylan's "Christian" albums, and in my opinion it is the weakest of the three.

The problem I have with Shot of Love is not it's lack of great songs; it has at least 2-3 of those. "Every Grain of Sand" is the album's undeniable masterpiece, even if it is more heartfelt and sincere on "The Bootleg Series (Vol. 3)." Listeners are more conflicted about which other songs on the album are great, but in my opinion "The Groom's Still Waiting at the Altar" and "Property of Jesus" are the only ones.

It's the rest of the tracks that nag me. "Shot of Love" is a decent if unimpressive opener. "Heart of Mine" is an unfortunately weak recording here of a good song, because the version on "Biograph" is miles better. "Lenny Bruce," "Watered-Down Love," and "Dead Man Dead Man" suffer from the mediocrity I mentioned earlier. Seems like Bob's creativity had just worn out by this time (give the man a break / he had released 3 albums in the 3 years prior to 1981 when he released Shot of Love. Fortunately he waited 3 after Shot of Love to release his next studio effort).

As for "In the Summertime" and "Trouble," they stand among Bob's worst songs of his career, in my opinion. Especially "Trouble."

Another Overlooked Gem
The common complaint about 1981's Shot of Love--truly one of Dylan's most affecting and sincere records--is that it rocks but fails to hold a flame to his 60's glory. After 40 years of music and 43 albums, one would hope that such comparisons grow tired, and each effort is assessed according to its individual merits, to its own voice, rather than viewed as a shadow under the overbearing umbrella of the 1960's. Has Pearl Jam recorded a song as catchy as Jeremy or Alive in the past nine years? Arguably not. Does that mean that they are no longer worth listening to, that their standing as a valid contribution to rock music hopelessly ceases? Certainly not.

As on 1978's Street Legal, Shot of Love includes some of the most compelling but forgotten songs of Dylan's career. Whereas Street Legal brought forth gritty rockers such as New Pony, Senor and We Better Talk This Over, Shot of Love delivers the stunning, booming rockers, "Trouble," "Property of Jesus" and "The Groom's Still Waiting At the Altar." They're not exactly Positively Fourth Street, but that does not automatically render them unlistenable. That rock critics continuously point novice Dylan fans in the same worn out direction is criminal, because there are songs here that are habitually ignored and deserve much better. What becomes necessary after a four-decade career of scattered brilliance is a wide-ranging, hard-hitting and concise compilation, one that may never see the light of day as long as Dylan and Columbia Records have anything to say about it, as is evident in the paltry, allegedly "Essential" double-disc set recently put out by Columbia.

Emmylou Harris's Grammy-winning "Wrecking Ball" includes a cover of Shot of Love's "Every Grain Of Sand" for one reason: it is one of the most gorgeous, well-written ballads of his career, up there with Not Dark Yet, Blind Willie McTell, Idiot Wind and Visions Of Johanna, among others. "Lenny Bruce" is a blander but ultimately compelling and powerful elegy. Perhaps out-of-the-blue experiments like the reggae-fused "Dead Man, Dead Man" challenged critics and fans to transform their confusion into patience, but it remains one of the few successful "experiments" of Dylan's career. Compare "Live at Budokan" or "Empire Burlesque" for examples of failed attempts at updating or refreshing Dylan's sound.

"Watered-Down Love" is a radio-ready single in its own right, the guitar licks are wonderful, Dylan sounds as ambitious and inspired as ever, and the band mimics that intensity in its playing. A Remastering job on Shot of Love may help bring its neglected genius to those who ignored it the first time around. It would, at the least, make for an album of explosive sound, as songs like Trouble, Groom's Waiting At The Altar and the title track already pack a memorable punch. If Dylan or Columbia felt as though they still had something to prove, perhaps they would get around to these projects, or come up with some ideas of their own. However, Bob Dylan has nothing left to prove. And that may be where the reality of the situation ends for he and his label, leaving those who were perceptive enough to discover this album's power all the more grateful. In the end, perhaps that will continue to stand as reward enough, and perhaps it should.

Reviews (3)

Depressing
If you like depressing music then you will like this one

old time favorites oak ridge boys
they aren't the new oak ridge boys but they are great! i love this cd.