Gospel music has always walked hand in hand with its country and blues brethren in terms of shaping America’s musical heritage. Following not far behind is consummate bluesman Spencer Bohren who is just as adroit in the spiritual tradition. What gives this illustrative guitarist credibility in such a genre lies in the expansive territory and historical eras these selections are culled from.
Armed with an arsenal of vintage guitars (some played with a slide) and lap steels, the proceedings begin with a sweet quartet tune from the Carolinas, “I Am a Pilgrim,” featuring the deep bottom harmonizing of the Nott Brothers Quartet and JAB Wilson’s harmonica playing. Next Bohren shifts into “Bound For Glory” that, like the rest of this disc, is a showcase in virtuosity with its awe-inspiring technique, pristine finger picking and excellent use of harmonics.
From this point, there’s no lack of interesting stops like the Civil War era “River Jordan” or the Kentucky tune “Gospel Plow” where Bohren adeptly plays claw hammer banjo. And true to his heritage, Bohren ties in theme-related tunes from his heroes, the mystically delivered “One Kind Favor” from Blind Lemon Jefferson and “Beulah Land” that’s often associated with Mississippi John Hurt. With its accented hand clapping and rickety raw playing, “I’ve Been Delivered” hails from unorthodox Mississippi musician Obed Kline who’s possibly the only mortal powerful enough to drive the devil away.
Yet it’s not meant to be another Pentecostal rocker where rampant exuberance is contagious like winter’s first flu. Rather the deliberately slow, sedate arrangements and the relaxed style of singing creates more of an introspective time for reflection – mediation at your own pace with a bonus healing effect. The last half resembles a soundtrack of a soul’s journey into the afterlife. Beginning with Carry the Word, there’re drifts in and out of consciousness, submission with the angelic “Amazing Grace” and the heavenly arrival with “Beulah Land.” Like the best soulful experiences, it only happens when it washes over you again and again. By then that’s when real power begins to take hold.
