How Great Thou Art - Gospel Favorites Live from the Grand Old Opry

I’m listening to this album for the second time right now while recoding some data for a paper.  I’m struck by how versatile these gospel classics are.  Some are the same ones I heard last weekend at Miller theater, but done in a very different style.  The versions on the album are more in the country genre but are also much more stripped down.  The power comes from the minimalism and the quality and nature of the vocalists.  Some are no surprise.  Loretta Lynn’s version of “Where No One Stands Alone” is wrenching and could ride just on her voice.  Others, however I think are quite unexpected.  For instance, Brad Paisley, better know for his comedy country hits such as “Me Neither” and “Alcohol” just totally nails “The Old Rugged Cross.”

I’m not sure that this compilation is a must.  But it is quite good.