The movie, O Brother Where Art Thou (2000) brought a renewed interest in folk and bluegrass music. In fact the music was so important to that movie that a concert film was created based around the performers who did the songs heard there. As strange of an idea as this is, Down From the Mountain works wonderfully.
Despite the presence of D.A. Pennebaker (Don't Look Back (1967), Monterey Pop (1968)) as one of the directors there is little cinematic about this movie. You can close your eyes and simply listen to the music and get pretty much the same out of it. That may sound like a major insult, but when the music is this good one hardly needs anymore. Those who know my taste in music (or anyone who reads my Cowboy Church posts) will hardly be surprised to hear me praise this movie, it is a perfect example of what I listen to when I am not watching movies. Such incredible artists as Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss and Union Station, The Cox Family, Ralph Stanley, Gillian Welch, David Rawlings, John Hartford and The Whites perform here and all of them are at the top of their game. From the perfect voices of Emmylou Harris and Alison Krauss, to the incredible lyrics of Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, to the incredible musicianship of Ralph Stanley and Union Station, this film gives country, folk and bluegrass fans all they could want from a concert movie and much more.
A pure auditorily treat, even if cinematically it leaves some to be desired.
Note: Hello my friends, for three days this blog will cover concert films featuring country music and rock and roll icon, Charlie Daniels. Charlie recently passed away suddenly from a stroke. Though Charlie recorded many studio albums (most as part of The Charlie Daniels Band), what he enjoyed the most about his career was being on stage entertaining audiences. That is why these films are so important now that he is no longer around to do concerts. Films last forever and so through these movies we will forever be able to enjoy the man doing what he did best.
After the early full southern rock in Volunteer Jam (1976)and the bluegrass gospel of Charlie without the rest of CDB in Preachin' Prayin' Singin' (2005), CDB Live represents what most people think of today when they think of The Charlie Daniels Band (yes The Devil Went Down to Georgia is performed). This film features them as a country-rock band that stands for redneck culture, God and patriotism. They do a run through of their big hits such as The Legend of Wooly Swamp, Simple Man, Long Haired Country Boy, In America, The South's Gonna Do It (Again) and the aforementioned The Devil Went Down to Georgia. As Charlie Daniels had become a devout Christian by this time some of these songs feature a change of lyrics that replace cuss words and drug references. This may divide some fans of the band's earlier work, but I feel that that the Volunteer Jam movie still exists for anyone who wants to see the earlier rougher edged (and less political minded for those who don't agree with the right-wing politics of a couple songs in this film) of The Charlie Daniels Band. Also a feel that a film like this is created to be a document of a concert and a piece and time for the artist recorded and this is how Charlie was at tis time until the end of his life. There is also some lesser know music picked here such as The Intimidator (Charlie's tribute to Nascar driver Dale Earnhardt), Floreeda Road (a fun instrumental song that shows that the band has lost none of its musicianship since Volunteer Jam), Preachin' Prayin' Singin' and Heart of My Heart (a duo of great gospel numbers). The band is in great form performing the entire set list seemingly effortlessly and engaging the crowd. Most of all they create such a sense of fun and excitement that transferred perfectly to the audience and transfers to whoever watches this film. Like Volunteer Jam, the filmmaking is straightforward and never calls attention to itself keeping the focus on the music, which is fantastic. This is simply a typically great concert from CDB captured in a delightful film.
Note: Hello my friends, for three days this blog will cover concert films featuring country music and rock and roll icon, Charlie Daniels. Charlie recently passed away suddenly from a stroke. Though Charlie recorded many studio albums (most as part of The Charlie Daniels Band), what he enjoyed the most about his career was being on stage entertaining audiences. That is why these films are so important now that he is no longer around to do concerts. Films last forever and so through these movies we will forever be able to enjoy the man doing what he did best.
This film shows a completely different side of Charlie Daniels than what we saw in Volunteer Jam (1976). While that movie showed Charlie rocking out with some of the greats of southern rock, this film shows him surrounded by bluegrass and country music greats (Mac Wiseman, Earl Scruggs, Randy Scruggs, Gary Scruggs, The Whites, Del McCoury, Ronnie McCoury and Rob McCoury) preaching the gospel and performing bluegrass gospel music. This is a much more up close and personal performance from Charlie. He is laughing, joking and hanging out with his friends just as much as he is playing music. We see them discussing the history of bluegrass music (of which Charlie is very knowledgeable). This makes the movie feel like time spent with friends as well as a concert. This is not to say there is anything lacking in the music. This film is pure bluegrass gospel at its finest and Charlie sounds just as perfect with these songs as he does rocking out with the CDB. Of course the highlight for all bluegrass fans is when one of the greatest legends of the genre comes out to join, Earl Scruggs. He and Charlie's rendition of the bluegrass standard Salty Dog Blues would make this a must see film for bluegrass fans even if it was the whole movie.
This film was shot in black and white and that works perfectly as it adds to the intimate and unpretentious feeling of this performance. Other than being in black and white the filmmaking never calls attention to itself, yet does a marvelous job and this is actually quite a well made film as well as being a great concert.
Hello my friends and welcome to another service of Cowboy Church.
Today's musical selection begins with Gene Autry reminding us that There's No Back Door To Heaven. This song reminds us that being a Christian is not simply attending church but living life according to God's word as close we can. We shouldn't say that going to Church on Sunday means we can sin all we want on Monday. This recording was from 1956 and was one of his last for Columbia records. He would leave to form his own record label. He planned to call it Champion after his equine co-star in all his movies, but discovered that name was taken and he changed the name to Challenge. This is followed by Ransomed Bluegrass performing the old southern gospel classic, I'll Fly Away. Next comes The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1941 recording of What Wonderful Joy. This is followed by Tennessee Ernie Ford singing Somebody Bigger Than You and I. This song was written in the early 1950's by Johnny Lange, Hy Heath, and Sonny Burke. Johnny Lange and Hy Heath had previously worked together on writing the cowboy song, Mule Train. The first known recording of Somebody Bigger Than You and I was by The Ink Spots in 1951. Next is the bluegrass duo Reno and Smiley performing He Will Set Your Fields on Fire. Afterwards The Charlie Daniels Band do their rocking version of the old gospel classic There's Power in the Blood. This comes from their 2003 album How Sweet the Sound: 25 Favorite Hymns and Gospel Greats. This album won the Grammy for Best Southern, Country Or Bluegrass Gospel Album. You can tell from this album that CDB are just as passionate about gospel music as they are about southern rock or bluegrass, and this may be so far the best 21st Century album the band has put out. Following is Johnny Cash singing I'm Bound For the Promise Land from his 2003 album My Mother's Hymn Book. As I have mentioned before on this blog, this album was a collection of hymns that Johnny had been singing since his childhood in Dyess, Arkansas. John's liner notes for this song state, "Yeah even through the dark times, I always felt like I was bound for the promised land, especially singing these songs. They take you to the promised land. I remember Jerry Lee Lewis back in the Sun Record days saying we were all doing the Devil's work and we were all going to Hell. Did that scare me? No, I'd heard all that before. I just kept my eye on him (laughs) and everything worked out all right. He became a good friend." This song was written by Samuel Stennett and first appeared in John Rippon's collection A Selection of Hymns from the Best Authors, in 1787. Last is Roy Rogers and Dale Evans singing The Lord is Counting On You.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
Whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:11
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4
And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Mark 12:30
Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:4-5
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. 2 Chronicles 7:14-15
LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress. Isaiah 33:2
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:6
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:17
Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. Matthew 9:35
One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched. There in front of him was a man suffering from abnormal swelling of his body. Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?” But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him on his way. Then he asked them, “If one of you has a child or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?” And they had nothing to say. Luke 14:1-6
He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding. Proverbs 17:27-28
Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin; whoever builds a high gate invites destruction. Proverbs 17:19
Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
Proverbs 17:14
Evil will never leave the house of one who pays back evil for good. Proverbs 17:13
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. Deuteronomy 31:8
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. John 16:33
Thanks for joining me come back next week for another round of Cowboy Church. Happy trails to you until we meet again.
Hello again my friends and welcome to another service of Cowboy Church.
Though most of these Cowboy Church posts feature country-gospel music from the 20th century, there is a recent song that just came out that I loved so much I have to include it here. This is a song off Cody Jinks' new album, After the Fire. This lovely song is called William and Wanda. This is a lovely song about meeting your loved ones in Heaven. In my mind this is one of the best country songs in years. With incredible lyrics that tell a great story this song is exactly what country music should be. Next comes Ray Price's beautiful recording of In the Garden from his 1960 gospel album Faith. This song is in the countrypolitan style of the early 60's with lots of strings and an orchestral pop sound. Here it works perfectly especially with Ray's incredible voice. Next is The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1948 recording of Lead Me Gently Home. The group had recorded this song earlier in 1937 and to be honest this later recording doesn't differ much from the earlier one. Next comes Willie Nelson with a gospel song he wrote himself, Kneel at the Feet of Jesus. Next is the classic bluegrass band The Stanley Brothers with their version of Where Could I Go But To the Lord. Next is Roy Rogers and Dale Evans performing a medley of gospel tunes and country tunes on the TV show Hee Haw. These songs include The Place Where I Worship, He Walks With the Wild and Lonely, Texas Plains and their signature song, Happy Trails. This special medley was for the show's 10th anniversary special and they change the lyrics to Happy Trails to suit the occasion. This week's music selection ends with Allison Krauss and The Cox Family with I'd Rather Have Jesus from their incredible 1994 gospel album together I Know Who Holds Tomorrow. This is in my mind one of the loveliest versions of this great gospel song.
No Temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6
But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. To the LORD I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill. Psalm 3:3-4
Thank you for joining me for another service of Cowboy Church. Happy Trails to you until we meet again.
