Doyle Lawson's reputation as the manager of a kind of bluegrass farm team in the form of his band, Quicksilver, is such that his 2004 CD was entitled A School of Bluegrass .
His 1981 bluegrass gospel release, Rock My Soul is a prime example of the farm team model, with Lawson on mandolin, Terry Baucom (who would earn the nickname "The Duke of Drive") on banjo, Jimmy Haley on guitar, and Lou Reid (who went on to form Lou Reid and Carolina, and to take John Duffey's spot in The Seldom Scene) on bass.
Southern Gospel, Bluegrass Style
The lively "On the Sea of Life" kicks of the set, augmented by Lawson's immaculate mandolin break. With his R & B-flavored lead, vocal powerhouse Lou Reid (who also shines on the country gospel tune, "Just Any Day Now") soars over the mix. The jubilation continues with "I've Got a Lot of Heaven" as guest Bobby Hicks thrills with fiddling that perfectly echoes the feel of the song.
With its more traditional quartet blend, "Just Over Yonder" anticipates heaven with deep empathy for outcast souls. "There's nothing here, friend, but disappointment/So often here we are left alone," the lyrics say, ending with the promise of that "no lonely days up there will ever come."
A Mastery of Black Gospel
The unsparing tempos, heavy syncopation, and complex, often a capella arrangements of traditional black gospel present a formidable challenge for any band. So, it's no wonder those elements are often missing from today's bluegrass gospel. Lawson and company prove equal to the task with four numbers that serve as the heart of the CD.
The title cut tells the story of Lazarus, who died in poverty, then ascended to heaven. The quartet makes skillful use of rising and falling dynamics, effecting a slow, subtle rocking motion while they express a wish to be rocked, as Lazarus did, "in the bosom of Abraham."
"Sweet Chariot" aches so keenly with the burdens of daily existence that it might have been sung by Lazarus while he was on earth. The longing for heaven "where no evil can enshroud" and "where sorrows are unknown" is soul-deep in this chill bump-raising number.
Lawson raises more chills, singing at the top of his range on "Jesus Gave Me Water." The song takes its text from John 4, telling the story of the woman at the well, who received Jesus' gift of living water - the Holy Spirit - just as all who come to Him can. Lawson's emotions are laid bare in "Jesus I'll Never Forget," as he thanks Jesus because "you been my friend when I was friendless."
Traditional Bluegrass Gospel by Bluegrass Pioneers
The band is equally comfortable with bluegrass gospel standards. The Stanley Brothers' "Angel Band" is sung simply and beautifully over an unadorned arrangement. Bill Monroe's "River of Death" gets a contemporary treatment minus the blues, plus an upbeat feel, facilitated by Terry Baucom's steamrolling banjo.
Bobby Hicks' double-stop-accented fiddling continues the instrumental fireworks on "I'll Have a New Life," a celebration of Christians who have been, the lyrics say, "sown in weakness/raised in power."
The quartet's exuberant reading makes "A Beautiful Life" the suitable close to a CD which shows both students and teacher in Lawson's School of Bluegrass passing with flying colors.
Sources
- Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver Discography. 2011. Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver. July 7, 2011.
Diane Amov - Bluegrass singer/songwriter and classically-trained flautist who has written on bluegrass and American roots music since 2005.
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