Search - Rev. Utah Smith, Rev. Lonnie Farris :: Slide Guitar Gospel, 1944-1964

Delightful precursor to steel guitar gospel

M. J. Smith | Seattle, WA USA | 06/23/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"With the current sacred steel guitar craze - the Campbell brothers, Aubrey Ghent etc. - this album ought to be a required prerequisite. Rev. Utah Smith's "God's Mighty Hand" is occassionaly included in anthologies; this piece, which has a sound similar to the more commonly anthologies "Memphis Flu", is what led me to this album. In fact, only the first six cuts are Smith's. Three of those are variations on "Two Wings" ... so the complete recorded works of Smith are interesting - his early use of the electric guitar is wonderfully raw - but not the best reason for this album.Rev. Lonnie Farris, who was unknown to me prior to this album, is a wonderful find. His use of the Hawaiian guitar over very basic bass guitar riffs creates a unique sense of energy and calm. The songs themselves are an interesting introduction to questions of what constitutes a "song". For example, "It is no secret what God can do" appears as "what mother can do". Throughout the interplay of the familar and unfamilar catches you attention and forces you to become involved in the music - something crucial in good Gospel. The Farris cuts also have memorable saxophone parts - the Hawaiian guitar is used easily as a backup instrument.This album needs promotion ... again document records has done us a wonderful service. Thank you."