Charley Pride is one of the great singers in the history of country music. He doesn't always get his due, and most folks think he disappeared long ago. This set,
Pride and Joy: A Gospel Music Collection a solid, top-to-bottom country gospel album, is evidence that Pride hasn't gone anywhere. And while it's true his voice has undergone some changes due to age, it's become more emotive and powerful. It's a bit rawer around the edges, but that serves the material here just fine. Pride's reading of
Rev. Thomas A. Dorsey's "Take My Hand Precious Lord," is simply stunning, as are his takes on the rollicking "Jesus Take My Hand" by Albert Brumley,
Bill Monroe's "Mansions for Me," and
Bill & Gloria Gaither's "I'm Gonna Sing."
