SHACK OF PEASANTS - GOSPEL BLUES VOL II -1994 AND REVIEW

THIS ALBUM CONTAIN(11-TRACKS)
1-DON'T WANNA GO DOWN THERE(Featuring Crystal Lewis)
2-SAMSON AND DALILAH(Featuring Phillip Bardowell)
3-SWING,LOW,SWEET CHARIOT/SWEET DOWN CHARIOT
4-RING THEM BELL(Featuring Lanny Cardola)
5-I AM GOING TO THE CITY(Featuring Crystal Lewis)
6-A SHACK IN NEGEV
7-HYMNS OF THE MEEK
8-JOHN THE REVELATOR(Featuring Crystal L. & Darrell Mansfield)
9-ONE MORE RIVER TO CROSS
10-THERE'LL BE NO GRUMBLER THERE(Featuring Chris Lizotte)
11-WON'T BE LONG TILL PARADISE(Featuring Crystal Lewis)
SHACK OF PEASANTS-CLASSIC BLUES VIL I-1993















THIS ALBUM CONTAIN(12-TRACKS)
1-GWINE DIG A HOLE TO PUT THE DEVIL IN
2-GONNA SIT ON THE BANKS OF THE RIVES
3-I SHALL NOT BE MOVED
4-STAND BY ME
5-DEATH HAS NO MERCY SEAT
6-TEARS OF FAITH
7-NOBODY'S FAULT BUT MINE
8-DOWN ON ME
9-CINCINNATI FLOW RAG
10-DENOMINATION BLUES
11-CLORY,GLORY HALLELUJAH
12-TRIBUTE
This is old time blues, going all the way back to the beginning (tracing the blues spiritual roots). Not in the style of most blues releases, it more closely resembles southern gospel, all acoustic, recorded on analog equipment, definitely 'Retro'. Like Vol.I, This is a collaboration between Lanny and Gary Thomas Griffin, it features vocalists Crystal Lewis, Darrell Mansfield, Chris Lizotte, and Philip Bardowell. Lanny plays every stringed instrument on this one. There are lots of overdubs on this album with some of the musicians playing a number of different instruments on each song.Shack Of Peasants is a pick up studio group. But what a group! Headed by Lanny Cordola their ranks include Darrell Mansfield, Crystal Lewis, Phil Bardowell, Fletcher Quigley and Gary Thomas Griffen. The two discs contain covers of a number of well known gospel blues songs plus a few new songs by Lanny Cordola. This album attempts to give something of the feel of the early blues recordings of the '20s and '30s. Even though most of the songs have new arrangements they still succeed in putting over something of the atmosphere of the early blues recordings. The only things missing are the crackles and the deep gravelly lead vocals. The outstanding feature on Vol I is the lead vocals of Crystal Lewis on tracks like "Stand By Me" and "Glory Glory Hallelujah". The album is worth buying just for Crystal's vocals. Of the new songs on the albums "Tears Of Faith" is excellent and probably one of Lanny's best songs. The album ends with another new song, "Tribute", which is as it may suggest a tribute to the early gospel blues singers. Though it is hard to classify the new songs as blues they do not feel out of place..A selection of ancient blues gospel classics with one or two originals thrown in, these are given impeccable old time blues arrangements. If your tastes veer towards the blues end of music or you enjoy the impeccable vocals talents of Crystal Lewis listen out for "Don't Wanna Go Down There,AND " I'm Going To That City". Also of note is Lanny's "Won't Be Long Till Paradise" from his album 'Of Riffs And Symphonies'. On the downside, like Vol 1 this CD is quite short and I find it difficult to understand why these albums were not released as one volume, especially since there was very little time between the release of the two albums. Unfortunately, Metro One does not have a UK distributor at the moment, but if you are a keen blues fan Vol I and Vol II are both worth seeking out on import.Carol Houston, Phillip Bardowell and Lanny Cordola. Anyone who thinks they have heard gospel hasn't heard anything until you listen to these.Lanny delivers an all-acoustic blues album in the vein of Blind Willie Johnson. Lanny plays some mean acoustic guitar including some a great slide guitar! This album is more bluesy than Vol.2, and although not every song is blues-based, they're all good songs with outstanding guitar work(http://www.holymetalrob.com)