Spencer Bohren
Carry The Word
Zephyr - 1443
Released 2000
available on Spencer's website
Quiet passion and intensity infuse this disc from the opening cut to the ending, which you hate to see approaching. This is a disc of traditional spiritual/gospel songs played in the very spare and understated manner Mr. Bohren is gaining attention with at festivals and club appearances. He is one of those guitar/slide guitar players who is eloquent within his sparcity. The disc has a rich full sound that he accomplishes with a minimum of additional accompaniment, but when it is there it is placed strategically so that it has maximum impact. The perspicacious use of the back up enhances the disc and never detracts, always letting the focus fall on what is important to the song. Both the Nott Brothers Quartet and Teresa Albury know their roles and stay right there never trying to steal the spotlight, their singing supports and enhances the lead vocals. JAB Wilson whose wonderful harmonica playing does such a perfect job of supporting and urging Mr. Bohren to push the singing and guitar playing to new heights. This is at the other extreme end of the spectrum from the Sacred Steel Series that Arhoolie has done and there is room enough in this world for the various aspects and quite frankly it is enlightening to hear such a different perspective. Spencer was raised in the gospel church so it was almost a forgone conclusion that he would one-day return to his roots after exploration of different tentacles of those roots. He has used his decades of probing into the blues and folk music to enhances his understanding of his own roots, and thus able to take it to new heights.
Produced by Spencer Bohren
Songs, Times, And Writers
1 I Am A Pilgrim – 3:37 – Traditional
2 Bound For Glory – 4:22 – Traditional
3 Samson And Delilah – 5:10 – Traditional
4 Wings Of An Angel – 6:01 – Spencer Bohren
5 One Kind Favor - 5:21 – Lemon Jefferson
6 Carry The Word – 3:56 – Cory McDaniel
7 River Jordan – 4:10 – Traditional
8 Gospel Plow – 2:39 - – Traditional
9 I’ve Been Delivered – 2:56 – Obed Kline
10 Amazing Grace – 3:26 - – Traditional
11 Beulah Land – 3:47 – Traditional
Musicians
Spencer Bohren – vocals, stringed instruments
the Nott Brothers Quartet – vocals
JAB Wilson – harmonica
Teresa Albury - Vocals