Summer is festival season, and festivals offer the perfect opportunity to check out worthwhile bands that have been flying under the radar. One such band is North Carolina's Sweet Potato Pie, and their most recent CD from Mountain Fever Records is the perfect introduction.
A bluegrass gospel project entitled "Journey Called Life," this 15-song collection brings together songs from across the musical spectrum, harmonies that are both sweet and rich, and a contemporary bluegrass sensibility.
Contemporary Bluegrass Gospel
The CD kicks off with an angelic a capella reading of "My Lord What a Morning," a spiritual that was recorded during the folk boom by folk superstars from the Weavers and Harry Belafonte to Joan Baez and The Kingston Trio.
"People Get Ready," Curtis Mayfield's modern-day spiritual, is given a gentle folk arrangement that's enhanced by resonant vocals for one of the most heartfelt tracks here. It's evenly matched by "Wait On the Lord," an a capella stunner delivered in a contemporary black gospel style.
Fiddle, guitar, and banjo swap leads over a subtle piano backup on a moving country instrumental arrangement of the classic hymn, "How Great Thou Art." Another traditional hymn, "I Stand All Amazed" gives the crucifixion story a simple, contemporary folk feel.
The intriguing minor key twists and turns of "Lift Me Up" echo the modality of Bill Monroe 's bluegrass within a contemporary country framework. It's the perfect setting for the story of the woman accused of adultery and pardoned by Jesus.
Award-winning Sweet Potato Pie banjoist, Crystal Richardson, proves an equally effective songwriter with "Walking and Praying," which offers bluegrass gospel encouragement and practical advice for tough times. "This Too Shall Pass" has a similar theme, with comforting lyrics delicately underscored by Katie Springer's fiddling.
"Shout Hallelujah," written by Sweet Potato Pie guitarist (and only original band member), Sonya Stead, is yet more straight up bluegrass gospel in the mold of Doyle Lawson, and a highlight of Sweet Potato Pie's live shows.
The trials of living a Christian life on a daily basis are brought into sharp relief with a tune from the Martina McBride songbook, "Reluctant Daughter," which focuses just as sharply in the assurance of Jesus' grace when we fail. "50 Years" is a spiritually confident commentary on how the heart is purified within the crucible of a marriage that's centered in Christ.
Sweet Potato Pie's Journey Called Life
With an eclectic mix of bluegrass, country, gospel, and folk material; unexpected song choices; inspired songwriting; and buttery harmonies, the Sweet Potato Pie band offers something for everyone this festival season and beyond.
Sources
- Sweet Potato Pie. 2011. Sweet Potato Pie. June 17, 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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