Customer Reviews

Souls' Chapel

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Marty Stuart went back to MS. to return to his roots and I believe to heal, physically and spiritually. Three cd's will be issued which are a result of this trip, I read somewhere. Soul Chapel is the first. The previous Amazon reviews tell why this cd is excellent.
I saw Marty perform, yesterday, on the Grand Old Opry and he performed two of the songs from this album. The instruments and vocals soared but it was the feeling, the spirit from the stage that blew the crowd away, and caused us to rise to our feet. I think standing ovations have become pat and usually meet nothing except the crowds bums are soar, but this one was heartfelt and was not "pre programed in the music." If you don't know what that means watch the reactions to music on "American Idol."
Marty looks and sounds great. I am glad Marty's MS retreat was a blessing.

This has to be equal, maybe even superior, to any recording Marty Stuart has ever done. His last album, Country Music, was uneven, its high points stellar, but too often marred by inferior material. Here the material is excellent, but it's Marty's soulful singing -- has ever he sung better? -- that draws the listener into these stirring songs of the spirit. On the first cut, "Somebody Saved Me," Stuart puts forth a song written by the late African-American gospel legend Roebuck "Pops" Staples; not just that, he's playing Staples's guitar. Daughter Mavis Staples, a gospel luminary in her own right, shows up elsewhere. Make no mistake about it: in this company, you're walking with the Lord up the highest mountain.

Maybe the best thing to happen to Stuart was getting away from major-label craziness and putting his whole focus on the music. With Marty free at last, let us hope we're in for -- if Souls' Chapel is any indication (and how can it not be?) -- the for-the-ages American music Marty Stuart has always had in him.

Do you remember the first time a DJ played a Stapes Singers record on the radio and you thought what great music that is and later realized it was not soul music but gospel? This CD has the same wonderful music. The harmonizing is magnificent. The people who worked on this record obviously love this music and had fun recording it. They cover a couple of Staples songs, a soul gospel written by Steve Cropper and William Bell, some old time gospel and some rocking gospel. In other words, it is American music. If you want to hear something rare in these days and times, heartfelt music that is sung and played by people who care for their music, this is a record for you.

Marty Stuart - perennial just to the left of middle of the road country singer (and secret hot dog guitar and mandolin slinger) has come out of left field with a searing, graceful gospel record. This is one for the books.

Congratulations, Marty Stuart.

As an artist, Marty Stuart has no peers. Once again he has done something no one else would have the vision, talent and mileage to pull off. Just to hear Marty & Kenny Vaughn play guitar on this make it a landmark recording. The whole project is remarkable. I anxiously await the next two planned releases. This is the best disc I've heard all year.

Wonderful, clear vocals and great music. This record has a lot of heart and soul, you can hear it in every note. What sets this record apart is the great instrumental work. Marty Stuart and Kenny Vaughan are simply master musicians. I could just sit and listen to the guitar work. I Can't Even Walk (Without You Holding My Hand) is spellbinding. Souls' Chapel is perfection. Great country gospel.

Marty Stuart's new album -- the first on his own label -- is an audacious blend of gospel songs, earthy grooves, and gorgeous vocal harmony the four-time Grammy winner calls "church-house rock and roll." Featuring twin twangy guitars (played by Stuart and the vibey Kenny Vaughan) panned wide in the mix over a rhythm section of bare-bones bass, clickity-clack drums, and subliminal organ, Souls' Chapel has a rollicking, funky feel. That's not surprising: The songs were recorded live at Stuart's house with no baffles, endless overdubs, or neurotic Pro Tools tweaking. Soaked in amp tremolo and spring reverb, the intertwining guitars form the pillars of each song. The instrumental "Souls' Chapel" -- with its throbbing, palm-muted arpeggios, Memphis sliding sixths, burly low-string riffs, double-stop bends, and Curtis Mayfield-inspired hammers -- is a standout. Despite the album's religious lyrics, you needn't be a believer to grasp the 6-string magic oozing from every cut.

This may not be the case with other listeners, but I've always preferred my gospel music with a heavy dose of acoustic instrumentation. This CD definitely changed all that. Marty is undoubtedly one of the premier mandolin players in country music but there ain't a drop of mando on this album. Instead it's very tastefully picked Telecasters backed by the big Hammond B-3. All this supporting some of the best harmonys to be released by a country artist in a long time.

For a long time that Marty Stuart has been an underappreciated force in American music and it's great to see him ignore this and continue to release material that is true to his heart and his influences. This CD may even surpass his "Pilgrim" release of a few years ago.

Marty, thanks for the insight into your heart and being. You are definitely one of the greats.

This is easily one of the best albums of 2005 and, in my opinion, the greatest of Marty's Career. Even if you're not a fan of gospel music there is enough tone, taste, harmony, and all around superb musicianship here to keep this in heavy rotation. If you get a chance go see Marty and the Fabulous Superlatives live as they will rock and revive you both all in spectacular Superlatone! Thank God for Marty!

A great God centered collection by the shining stars of country music. This is the first religious CD I have ever purchased and I'm very pleased.