The Gospel Collection
Mountain Home, 2019
8/10
Listen to The Gospel Collection
The bluegrass legends Balsam Range have always put their faith into their esteemed storytelling, and here they devote an entire record to both traditionals and originals on the appropriately titled The Gospel Collection.
“Gonna Be Movin’” starts the listen with their sublime vocal harmonies alongside the rural finger pickin’ acrobatics, and this level of song craft continues to the playful and spirited “The Boat Of Love”, as well as the a cappella finger snapping fun of “Stacking Up The Rocks”.
Back half highlights include the banjo and mandolin interplay of “Row By Row”, while “Place No Wreath” trims the setting back to soulful and emotive with a soothing template. At the end, their version of “Wish You Were Here” puts a thoughtful, cautious bluegrass spin on the Southern Gospel classic.
As with every album from Balsam Range, you get top notch singing and instrumentation, as each track has been built with the utmost care and delivery with precision and timelessness.
Travels well with: Dale Ann Bradley- The Hard Way; Hot Buttered Rum- Lonesome Panoramic