Country singer Patty Griffin takes a slightly different approach on her seventh studio album. Recorded in a church in Nashville, TN, the forthcoming Downtown Church (out Jan 26) is a collection of gospel songs from the veteran singer.Griffin is well suited for the gospel feel. Her voice has a depth and warm southern twang that adds a level of introspective gravitas to the tunes. A track like "Wade In the Water" benefits immensely from her soulful vocal style.
Making sure you know that this isn't your Mahalia Jackson gospel though Griffin, joined by guests that include Emmylou Harris and Buddy Miller, incorporates non-traditional genres into the gospel realm. "Move Up" works out a solid rock-a-billy cha-cha. "Virgen De Guadalupe, unsurprisingly, is based on a down tempo south-of-the-border vibe while "I Smell a Rat" boasts a lounge swagger.
Downtown Church is not recommended for casual listening. Despite a number of songs that can stand on their own, like the minimalist "Death's Got a Warrant", it's the message that is of primary importance here. After all, these are spiritual songs that can and will get dull if you are not in the mood to praise the Lord.
Best tracks: "Wade In the Water", "Death's Got a Warrant"
Track listing for Downtown Church:
- House of Gold
- Move Up
- Little Fire
- Death's Got a Warrant
- If I Had My Way
- Coming Home To Me
- Wade In the Water
- Never Grow Old
- Virgen De Guadalupe
- I Smell a Rat
- Waiting for My Child
- The Strange Man
- We Shall Be Reunited
- All Creatures of Our God and King
7.0/10
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