Randy Travis - Glory Train

If 2004's Passing Through was comprised primarily of inspirational songs with a modern bent, Randy Travis's 2005 follow-up Glory Train: Songs of Faith, Worship and Praise acts as its flip-side, being devoted largely to traditional spiritual songs. More than that, the songs on Glory Train are by and large classic black gospel tunes, which is something that Travis hasn't explored before, and his mild stretching here results in a splendid album. Not only does he tackle standards like "Sing Down Chariot" and "Oh Death" along with several Sister Rosetta Tharpe tunes, including "This Train" and "Down by the Riverside," he brings in the Blind Boys of Alabama for harmonies on several songs. Although there are a few detours into tasteful, calm contemporary inspirational material, such as "Shout to the Lord," this grounding in classic gospel gives this album both gravity and soul, and when Travis marries this sound to his light, clean, impeccable neo-traditional country, the results are enormously appealing. This is a warm, relaxed, friendly, soulful album that's arguably Travis's best gospel album to date. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Name Credits Al Anderson Guitar (Acoustic) Anthony LaMarchina Cello Bergen White String Arrangements Billy Davis Vocals (Background) Blair Berle Creative Director Brent Mason Guitar (Acoustic), Gut String Guitar Bryan Sutton Guitar (Resonator), Archguitar, Mandolin, Banjo, Guitar (Acoustic), Hi String Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (12 String), Soloist Carl Gorodetzky Violin, Contractor Casey Wood Engineer, Bells, Assistant, Drums (Snare), Production Coordination, Hi Hat, Tambourine Cheryl H. McTyre A&R Chip Davis Vocals (Background) Christina Ketterling Vocals (Background) Cindy Walker Vocals (Background) Connie Ellisor Violin Craig Duncan and the Smoky Mountain Band Dulcimer (Hammer) Dave Estridge Vocal Arrangement Dennis Crouch Bass Dolores Hessinger Wardrobe Assistant Doug Sax Mastering Elizabeth Travis Stylist, Wardrobe, Creative Director Eric Darken Tympani [Timpani], Clay Drums, Bells, Chimes, Vibraphone, Hand Drums, Drums (Snare), Tambourine, Jew's-Harp, Djembe, Cajon, Drums (Bass), Shaker, Cymbals Eric Swanson Photography Jason Lehning Engineer Jelly Roll Johnson Harmonica, Bass Harmonica Jim Grosjean Viola Katherine Petillo Art Direction Kris Wilkinson Viola Kyle Lehning Producer, Audio Production, Mixing Larry Beaird Guitar (Acoustic) Larry Franklin Fiddle, Mandolin Lisa Silver Vocals (Background) Michael Aldridge Engineer Michael Chavez Assistant Pamela Sixfin Violin Pastor Matthew Hagee Vocals (Background) Paul Franklin Pedalbro Phillip "Mister P" Ivey Make-Up, Hair Stylist Randy Kohrs Dobro Richard Logsdon Art Direction Robert Hadley Mastering Sean D. Jacobs Engineer Shawn McSpadden A&R Sheldon Yellowhair Assistant Sidney Cox Vocals (Background) Suzanne Cox Vocals (Background) Tim Marshall A&R Tony Harrell Accordion, Harmonium Vicki Hampton Vocals (Background) Wes Hightower Vocals (Background)