This mediocre collection of classic Christian hymns is sung in 2001 not particularly enthusiastically by the congregants of two churches in Missouri. Producer Dale Wiley's liner note to The Old, Old Story: Traditional Hy... more »mns in Modern America sheds some light on the reason for this particular collection. Wiley believes that "the church has moved away from the hymns that were once the most universal touchstone among many fractured denominations." This is a lovely sentiment, though it is a shame that these performances are so utterly banal and poorly recorded; there are "field" recordings from 50 years ago that sound better. If you really want to experience that old-time religion, may we suggest the performances collected on How Can I Keep from Singing, Vol. 2; E.C. Ball with Orna Ball and the Friendly Gospel Singers; Sacred Harp Singing; and, for the adventurous, Fred McDowell's Amazing Grace: Mississippi Delta Spirituals by the Hunter's Chapel Singers Of Como, Mississippi. --Mike McGonigal« less
This mediocre collection of classic Christian hymns is sung in 2001 not particularly enthusiastically by the congregants of two churches in Missouri. Producer Dale Wiley's liner note to The Old, Old Story: Traditional Hymns in Modern America sheds some light on the reason for this particular collection. Wiley believes that "the church has moved away from the hymns that were once the most universal touchstone among many fractured denominations." This is a lovely sentiment, though it is a shame that these performances are so utterly banal and poorly recorded; there are "field" recordings from 50 years ago that sound better. If you really want to experience that old-time religion, may we suggest the performances collected on How Can I Keep from Singing, Vol. 2; E.C. Ball with Orna Ball and the Friendly Gospel Singers; Sacred Harp Singing; and, for the adventurous, Fred McDowell's Amazing Grace: Mississippi Delta Spirituals by the Hunter's Chapel Singers Of Como, Mississippi. --Mike McGonigal
CD Reviews
Amazon review misses the point
W. Thomas Adams | Austin Tx USA | 04/06/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Amazon review missed the point of this recording. I was taken back to the 50s, being in a little church in Zephyr, Tx with my grandmother. This recording captures the sound and feeling of rural churches. And the song selection was just great. The big city churches don't sing many of these any longer. This cd is not about production, it's about reality--and it's REAL!"
Just like being in church
04/02/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I bought this record and felt like I was stepping into the middle of an old-time, down-home country church. You can hear all the sounds you would if you were there, and if you turn it up just a little, you feel like you're right in the middle of the third pew! The singers are very good, but it doesn't sound so plastic like you might find in many of the Christian albums today. If you went to a country church when you were little, or want to know what it would be like, this is definitely an album you need to buy."
Wonderful!
W. Thomas Adams | 04/09/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have never owned a CD that so captured an experience as this one. It reminds me of my days in the Methodist church growing up, of all the Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings spent there. These are joyful congregations singing classic songs and I love it."
Genuine gospel hymns
P. Kline | Evansville, IN | 11/02/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The purpose of this anthology was not to flout vituosity, but to preserve an important piece of American culture which, until 40 years ago or so, was familiar to at least half of us. This CD lives up to this promise. In so doing it also provides us with music which is innocent, mellodious and lyrical."