This record is a collection of modern hymns and spirituals by such writers as Bob Dylan, Gillian Welch, and Hank Williams performed by some of East Tennessee's best bluegrass musicians.

13 MP3 Songs
COUNTRY: Bluegrass, COUNTRY: Americana

Show all album songs: The Bluegrass Service Songs


Details:
"Adkins follows up his debut release, âLower Than the Angelsâ with this wonderful slice of Americana, drawing from special bluegrass church services that Adkins participates in a few times yearly. The Bluegrass Service is comprised of a few old hymns, some modern covers that are well regarded in Christian musicâs alternative community, as well as a few original compositions that show Adkinsâ depth as a purveyor of theologically rooted song-craft with a wry twist.

Broken up into the order of a worship service, Adkinsâ sequencing helps us see the wholeness of a life submitted in worship to our savior. Following an instrumental take on âAmazing Graceâ, replete with the mandolin, dobro, banjo and supple acoustic guitar that frame every song, the album segues into a call of worship with a few songs you may have never imagined being used in a traditional worship service before. Mike Roeâs (The 77âs and Lost Dogs) âLutheran Hymnâ reinforces the notion that God can be seen in even the most mundane details of life and deserves to be worshipped for it. Wonderful versions of traditional gospel hymns âIâll Fly Away/I Saw the Lightâ and âWhen the Roll is Called Up Yonderâ the material turns decidedly Non-traditional with songs by Alt-country critical darlings Gillian Welch and David Rawlings (âBy The Markâ) The Choir (the stunning âBeautiful, Scandalous Nightâ) The Lost Dogs (âPray Where You Areâ) as well as top notch contributions by Jonathan Rundman, Bob Dylan and Julie Miller/Bill Mallonee. These are not names you usually see in the liner notes of a worship album yet, to Adkinsâ credit, he creates one of the most genuinely worshipful albums in recent memory, as he tries to encompass all aspects of a life lived in submission to the will of God.

Perhaps the best song on the album is Adkinsâ own âUncle Joeâs Bunionsâ a hilarious look at the superficiality of some public prayer meetings. It may be both the silliest yet profound song Adkins has ever written (by his own admission) yet it exemplifies the type of spiritually holistic writing that can meet the needs of all humans, not just the ones who set foot in a church. This is a gigantic accomplishment in todayâs worship climate and one that assures Adkins place as one of this eraâs finest artists in ANY genre."

- Review by Shawn McLaughlin