Salt of the Earth

Ricky Skaggs and family in a glorious gospel outing

This is a superior, sublime country/bluegrass gospel album, featuring bluegrass superstar Ricky Skaggs and his extended family, his wife Sharon White and her sister Cheryl, and father Buck White, who have recorded with him quite a bit over the years. The White Family have been recording great music for over three decades, but their own albums are mostly out of print and hard to find, so it's always a treat when Ricky Skaggs gives them a platform to show their lovely, old-fashioned family-based harmony style. It's a nice, nostalgic sound, recalling the early roots of country music from the 1920s, '30s and '40s, when this kind of open-hearted sincerity was still common. Gospel fans will be delighted at this sweet-sounding set (although some secular-minded listeners may find the religious message hard to get past) There are plenty of standards, but also a wealth of less well-known songs that make this even more of a treat. Definitely worth checking out! (DJ Joe Sixpack, Slipcue Country Music Guide) July 27, 2008

Let It Shine!

Many country artists record religious music because it is expected. These CDs are always technically excellent, the artists in good voice, the band on the mark with a good selection of hymns. Very few artists bring real conviction and honest beliefs to these recordings. Those few that have genuine religion always add additional value to the CD. Ricky Skaggs and The Whites bring outstanding talents, conviction and deeply held beliefs to this CD. This combination produces an emotional entertaining experience that few can duplicate. These people feel the words to the songs, understand what they mean and bring those feeling out.
This is the first album-length collaboration between Ricky Skaggs, Kentucky Thunder and the vocal trio of his wife's family. They say this "has been a long time coming" many of us say it is past due and needs to be done more than once. The combination of voices and styles complement, enhance and showcase the talents of each group. This produces an intriguing series of songs as groups alternate taking the lead. Just as we settle into an expected routine, they combine into a single group that you swear has worked together for years.
This is the Dove Award Bluegrass Album of the Year for very good reasons. Wreck on the Highway is one of the best versions of this standard ever done. The title song Salt of the Earth, celebrating lives of goodness and work, was a Dove nominee for Bluegrass Recorded Song of the Year. Near the Cross, Blessed Assurance, This Old House and Solid Rock are outstanding tracks highlighting the unique talents of this special CD.
There are no false notes or manufactured emotions in this CD. We have great artists, expressing deeply held feelings and enjoying the fellowship. This great CD should be in every collection!
July 15, 2008

Savory songs

Some CDs contain great music; other CDs contain music so great that it transcends music and becomes something even more wonderful and meaningful. The recent Dove Award-winning "Salt of the Earth" by Ricky Skaggs & The Whites belongs in the latter category. Though the artists here represent the very best of bluegrass, Gospel, country, and folk music, this CD defies easy categorization - it is all of that and more.

Until now, Ricky Skaggs & The Whites have never made an album of music together. Given that Skaggs is married to Sharon White, it is surprising they waited this long, but it makes this highly-anticipated collaboration all the more fresh and rewarding. Along with Sharon's sister, Cheryl, and dad, Buck, the sound of these four voices together is spine-chillingly gorgeous, and there is a profound sense of joy permeating this project.

Perfectly self-produced, this CD is elegantly understated, keeping the crystalline vocals up-front and uncluttered. That said, the musicianship is first-rate and lively, as any fan of Skaggs or the Whites would expect.

The song selection is a pleasing blend of new songs and timeless classics. Excellent new songs such as "Love Will Be Enough," "Let It Shine," "One Seed of Love," and the title track sit well alongside long-time treasures such as "Blessed Assurance," "Farther Along," and "The Solid Rock." The mournful cautionary tale "I Didn't Hear Nobody Pray" is a vintage sad story-song that really puts the "blue" in bluegrass. "Big Wheel" definitely sets toes to tapping.

Overall, it's just impossible to find anything to complain about here. This music, like so much of what Ricky Skaggs and The Whites have created over the years, is refreshing and bracing like a spring-fed mountain stream. Call it a classic!

May 15, 2008

Inspired; Literally!

Ricky Skaggs and the Whites have recorded Gospel Music both separately and together over the years. Their performances at the Grand Ole Opry and in concerts, such as the Skaggs Family Christmas have always included Gospels Tunes. In all these endeavors they have maintain excellence in their singing and instrumental backing. Yet, what makes this cd, and their others as well, special is the music comes from their beliefs, and their sense of sharing the gospel. It is not just a tribute to "my Mothers beliefs" as I have found in some artist. The power of the music comes from within.
Highly recommended. November 23, 2007

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