VARIOUS ARTISTS
Close Harmony: A History of Southern Gospel Music
(Dualtone)
Reviewed by Erick Mertz

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Over the course of 14 tracks, Close Harmony: A History of Southern Gospel Music seeks to catalog highlights from the steep American gospel tradition, lining up original recordings by the movement's pioneers. Executive producers Chris White and Mickey Gamble have hand picked some true gems, their greatest accomplishment being in the superb quality of included recordings. The preservation of timeless songs by Blackwood Brothers ("Lord Build Me A Cabin") and especially Golden Gate Quartet ("Swing Down, Chariot") give off the feeling that it's a record spinning on the old Victrola instead of a CD in the tray.

This is labeled as the first volume of Close Harmony, promising much, much more in the future. Regardless of whether religious affiliation is part of the music's appeal or all of it, there are valuable sightlines in this album to a simpler, bygone time.

© 2004 - Erick Mertz