LOS ANGELES (Universal Music) - Gospel music has never been more popular than it is today, from Christian venues to more agnostic appreciation from R&B, country and mainstream music fans. Now a new series from UMe, THE GOSPEL SPIRIT, resurrects the best gospel recordings, each digitally remastered, from country music's greatest artists.
On August 24, 2004, the first four albums to be released will be:
CONWAY TWITTY: THE GOSPEL SPIRIT (MCA Nashville/UMe) marks the CD debut, and first-ever reissue, of his classic 1973 inspirational album CLINGING TO A SAVING HAND. Though charting Top 20 Country, and produced by the legendary Owen Bradley, the album has lingered in the vaults until this moment. Country Music Hall Of Famer Twitty brought his distinctive power and sensitivity to this collection of deeply moving, mostly original songs, including 'Steal Away,' 'The Third Man,' the title track, 'The Big Man Above' and 'Jesus Is A Soul Man.'
LORETTA LYNN: THE GOSPEL SPIRIT (MCA Nashville/UMe) brings together the best of the Country Music Hall Of Famer's three albums of inspirational music - HYMNS, WHO SAYS GOD IS DEAD! and GOD BLESS AMERICA AGAIN - each produced by Bradley and recorded from 1965 to 1970. Featuring both traditional and original songs, many of these recordings make their CD debuts; several have never before been reissued.
The compilation includes 'Peace In The Valley,' 'In The Sweet Bye And Bye,' 'The Old Rugged Cross' and 'Harp With Golden Strings' (both with The Jordanaires), 'If God Is Dead (Who's This Living In My Soul)' and 'Just A Little Talk With Jesus.'
BILL MONROE & HIS BLUE GRASS BOYS: THE GOSPEL SPIRIT (MCA Nashville/UMe) presents the best of the gospel output of the '50s from The Father of Bluegrass and another Country Music Hall Of Famer. A particularly fertile time, his band, often with fellow legends Carter Stanley and Jimmy Martin, recorded many of the classics associated with him, including 'I'm Working On A Building' and 'A Voice From On High,' as well as the Hank Williams-penned title track and others from his one gospel album of the era, 1958's I SAW THE LIGHT.
THE STATLER BROTHERS: THE GOSPEL SPIRIT (Mercury/UMe) finds one of the most popular acts in country music history returning to its roots as a gospel quartet (they debuted in 1955 at a Methodist church).
In 1975, they realized a long-held dream of recording a gospel project, releasing two separate LPs, HOLY BIBLE/OLD TESTAMENT and HOLY BIBLE/NEW TESTAMENT, featuring mostly self-penned material. They mined the gospel songbook again for 1986's RADIO GOSPEL FAVORITES, which mixed standards such as 'Amazing Grace' and 'There Is Power In The Blood' with originals.
