AVID Country continues with its Five Classic Album series with a re-mastered 2CD release from five country greats, complete with original artwork, liner notes and personnel details; “Johnny Cash: Hymns By”; “Tennessee Ernie Ford: Nearer The Cross”; “Kitty Wells: Singing On Sunday”, “Hank Snow: Sings Sacred Songs” and “The Oak Ridge Quartet [Boys]: Sing And Shout” American country music alongside American blues, r&b and even rock “n” roll have always owed a huge debt to the influence of gospel music in the development of their own particular style of music. Many of the great artists in these musical fields will tell stories of their younger days listening to gospel music in Sunday churches throughout the USA, but perhaps especially in the South where many of the greats were born. Think Elvis, Little Richard, Johnny Cash, Aretha, Hank Snow and most of the early rural blues singers and a host of others! Gospel music was what united black and white musicians when they came to perform the music that had inspired them. For many there was no prejudice or segregation regarding the music, it was God’s music to be sung and listened to by all folks. So it’s not surprising to see many of the great country stars paying tribute to the gospel music that so many of them grew up with. Our five fine selections include infamous country “rebel” Johnny Cash who had always been steeped in gospel music and didn’t care who knew it! Tennessee Ernie Ford had always included gospel songs on his nightly TV show. Hank Snow sings his personal gospel favourites alongside The Jordanaires and Kitty Wells recalls those Sunday prayer sessions back home. Out fifth artists The Oak Ridge Quartet actually started life in the early 1950s as a gospel band and continued in that vein until the 1970s when they morphed into The Oak Ridge Boys and became crossover sensations. Check out:- Sings Gospel (AMSC1383); Johnny Cash (AMSC1252); Hank Snow (AMSC1393); Kitty Wells (AMSC1328); Reverend Gary Davis (AMSC1271); Pat Boone (AMSC1394); Jim Reeves (AMSC1294); Jesse Fuller & Josh White (AMSC1344); BB King (AMSC1387 & 1203).
CD1 1-12: ‘Johnny Cash: Hymns By’ 1. It Was Jesus 2. I Saw A Man 3. Are All The Children In 4. The Old Account 5. Lead Me Gently Home, Father 6. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot 7. Snow In His Hair 8. Lead Me Father 9. I Call Him 10. These Things Shall Pass 11. He’ll Be A Friend 12. God Will 13-24: ‘Tennessee Ernie Ford: Nearer The Cross’ 13. What A Friend We Have In Jesus 14. Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me 15. His Eye Is On The Sparrow 16. Beautiful Isle of Somewhere 17. Now The Day Is Over 18. Nearer, My God, To Thee 19. Sweet Peace The Gift Of God’s Love 20. Whispering Hope 21. Lord, I’m Coming Home 22. I Need Thee Every Hour 23. Take Time To Be Holy 24. God Be With You 25-30: ‘Kitty Wells: Singing On Sunday’ 25. Singing On A Sunday 26. Paul’s Ministry 27. Too Far From God 28. Do You Expect A Reward From God 29. Wings Of A Dove 30. Footsteps Of My Lord
CD2 1-6: ‘Kitty Wells: Singing On Sunday’ 1. Wait A Little Longer Please Jesus 2. I’ll Reap My Harvest In Heaven 3. How Far Is Heaven 4. Gathering Flowers For The Master’s Bouquet 5. Sinner, Kneel Down And Pray 6. That Glory Bound Train 7-18: ‘Hank Snow: Sings Sacred Songs’ 7. The Glory Land March 8. Invisible Hands 9. He’ll Understand And Say “Well Done” 10. My Religion’s Not Old-Fashioned 11. My Mother 12. I’m Glad I’m On The Inside 13. The Alphabet 14. I’m In Love With Jesus 15. These Things Shall Pass 16. Pray 17. Little Children (Hope Of The World) 18. I’m Moving On To Glory 19-30: ‘The Oak Ridge Quartet [Boys]: Sing And Shout’ 19. Sing And Shout 20. My All I Give 21. Our Debts Will Be Paid 22. On The Other Side Of Jordan 23. I’ll Lose My Blues In Heaven 24. Keep Me 25. For I’ve Got The Lord 26. Lord, I Want To Go Home 27. God Bless You, Go With God 28. Do You Know Jesus 29. Behind Your Tears 30. At The Roll Call
