He Lives in Me

Dirty Linen (p.88) - "HE LIVES IN ME sets a new standard for bluegrass gospel with soul-inspiring vocals...and ultra-tight Bill Monroe-influenced picking." No Depression (p.133) - "[R]arely has anyone sung so ebulliently about imminent death than the quintet does on 'We Shall Inherit'."

Doyle Lawson is probably the leading figure in bluegrass-gospel music at the beginning of the 21st century. But as he's demonstrated several times over the course of the last decade, his talent isn't limited to the strict bluegrass genre -- he (along with the bands he has led for roughly 30 years now) is just as comfortable in other gospel music styles, and though He Lives in Me sticks mostly to the bluegrass mainstream, there are several moments when he departs noticeably, and rewardingly, from that path. In recent years, guitarist and lead singer Jamie Dailey has become a more and more central part of the Quicksilver sound, and both his clear, powerful voice and his songwriting are a major part of this album's appeal. It's also great to see the return of Terry Baucom, whose rock-solid banjo picking is another significant selling point. Highlight tracks here include the joyfully rollicking "I Am on My Journey Home," with its cascading harmonies that lead up to a climactic, John Duffey-style 5/6 suspension at the end, a gorgeous a cappella rendition of the Dailey and Lawson composition "'Til I See You Face to Face," and the wonderfully swinging "We Shall Inherit." There are really no weak tracks, although the album-closing "When He Welcomes Me In" may be just a bit too harmonically rich and fruity for those with more traditional bluegrass tastes. Highly recommended overall. ~ Rick Anderson