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When the "Queen of Country Music" emerged with this gorgeous gospel album in 1959, her ticket was already written. "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels," her breakthrough 1952 single, remains one of the most significant recordings in country-music history. Wells followed that No. 1 smash with a string of top 10 hits throughout the 1950s, and Decca rewarded her with a lifetime contract in 1959. Why this Wells gem was reissued by MCA (at a super-budget price, no less) while the rest of her catalog languishes is anyone's guess, but who's complaining? Wells's austere and poised delivery is a godsend when compared to the pretentious, overwrought singing that too often dominates modern gospel music. The pure-as-snow arrangements range from fiddle-and-steel to organ-and-chorus, but attention is always focused on Wells's pristine voice.
--Marc Greilsamer
Product Description
Includes How Far is Heaven; Matthew 24; Amazing Grace; Church in the Wildwood; He's Got the Whole World in His Hand; I'm Gonna Move ; the title track, and more.
--This text refers to an alternate
Audio CD
edition.