Various Artists - Sacred Voices: An A Capella Gospel Collection

The Sugar Hill label's roster of bluegrass, folk, and country artists is rich with outstanding singing ensembles, and this compilation shows them off at their best, performing traditional gospel music without instrumental accompaniment. The styles vary. Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver and the Nashville Bluegrass band both dip into the African-American gospel tradition with "Climbing Up the Mountain" and "Father I Stretch My Hand to Thee," respectively. Tony Rice and Ricky Skaggs deliver "Talk About Suffering" from their celebrated duo album, in a style that harks back to that of brother duos like the Blue Sky Boys and the Delmore Brothers. And Don Rigsby teams up with Ralph Stanley and a host of helping voices in a hair-raising version of "Vision of a Golden Crown." Perhaps the most impressive performance, though, is Doc Watson's solo rendition of "What a Friend We Have in Jesus," a traditional hymn whose simple and unadorned melody floats effortlessly on Watson's voice. Highly recommended. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide

Name Credits Alan O'Bryant Tenor (Vocal) Allen Mills Vocals Anthony Choice Bass (Vocal) Antoine Guilleminot Photography Barry Bales Vocals Barry Poss Producer Béla Fleck Baritone (Vocal) Billy Yates Vocals Birchmere Alexandria Producer Bob Amos Vocals Bob Dick Baritone (Vocal) Charlie Sizemore Vocals Charlie Waller Bass (Vocal) Chris Rowan Baritone (Vocal) Dan Tyminski Vocals David Glasser Remastering Doc Watson Vocals, Performer, Arranger Don Rigsby Tenor (Vocal), Performer Doyle Lawson Tenor (Vocal), Performer, Arranger, Producer Dudley Connell Vocals Front Range Performer Gary Isaacs Photography Gene Libbea Low Vocals, Vocals Greg Luck Vocals Hazel Miller Alto (Vocals) Isaac Freeman Bass (Vocal) James Hill Baritone (Vocal) Jerry Douglas Producer Jim Mills Baritone (Vocal), Compilation Producer, Producer Jim Watson Arranger, Producer, Baritone (Vocal) Joe Isaac Vocals John Berry Vocals John Cowan Vocals John Hartford Vocals John Magnie Baritone (Vocal) Kent Dowell Tenor (Vocal) Kevin Maul Arranger, Bass (Vocal) Lilly Isaac Vocals Linda Williams Performer Lorin Rowan Tenor (Vocal) Mark Hembree Bass (Vocal) Merle Watson Producer Mike Compton Baritone (Vocal) Mike Lantz Tenor (Vocal) Mollie O'Brien Vocals, Performer New Grass Revival Performer Otis Dillon Bass (Vocal) Pat Enright Tenor (Vocal) Pat Flynn Tenor (Vocal) Peter Nash Photography Peter Rowan Performer, Arranger, Vocals, Producer Quicksilver Performer Ralph Stanley Vocals, Performer Ray Deaton Bass (Vocal) Rev. W.L. Richardson Vocals Rick Allred Baritone (Vocal) Ricky Skaggs Arranger, Producer, Performer, Tenor (Vocal), Baritone (Vocal) Robin & Linda Williams Performer Robin Williams Performer Roland White Bass (Vocal) Ron Lynam Bass (Vocal) Ronnie Bowman Vocals Russell Moore Tenor (Vocal) Sam Bush Bass (Vocal) Scott Vestal Baritone (Vocal) Senor McGuire Photography Steve Amedee Tenor (Vocal) Stuart Duncan Baritone (Vocal) Sue Meyer Design, Illustrations The Country Gentlemen Performer The Courtry Gentlemen Arranger The Nashville Bluegrass Band Performer The Rowan Brothers Performer Tim O'Brien Tenor (Vocal), Producer, Performer Tim Surrett Vocals Tony Rice Arranger, Performer, Producer, Vocals Walter Settles Vocals Wilson Waters Tenor (Vocal)