Fans of country music legend
Marty Stuart will delight in this live soundtrack to
The Gospel Music of Marty Stuart documentary. The video features him in conversation with gospel icon
Bill Gaither. The freewheeling and informal chat covers a wide array of topics including music history, as well as the origins of both black and country gospel interspersed with performances from
Stuart and
the Superlatives. The soundtrack dispenses with the conversation and delivers a stellar live-in-studio counterpart to 2005's scorching
Souls' Chapel. The track selections are entirely different -- these are standards -- but the feel is the same, as is the integrity.
Stuart and company interpret these jams through the lens of rockabilly, bluegrass, close harmony, and honky tonk. On some occasions, such as "Greystone Chapel,"
Stuart will introduce the tune with a killer story. Certain tracks offer guest performances. Wife
Connie Smith delivers a fine lead vocal on "Walking My Lord Up Calvary's Hill," guitarist
Kenny Vaughn helps out on "Don't Leave Home Without Jesus,"
Harry Stinson delivers the lead vocal on "The Master Is Waiting," as does Apostle Paul Martin on the moving "Pray the Power Down." Whether the approach is electric or acoustic,
the Superlatives keep tradition close on
The Gospel Music of Marty Stuart. There isn't a weak moment anywhere. Fans who are wary of the connection with
Gaither should just get over it; he is an unapologetic Christian. This is one of the most inspired, exquisitely performed records in
Stuart's long and varied catalog. ~ Thom Jurek