Gospel Music of Marty Stuart

Photographer: Les Leverett.
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