Greatest Gospel Songs
isn't a compilation at all -- it's actually a reissue (and not the first) of
Brenda Lee
's 1997
inspirational
album
Precious Memories
, which was previously available only through her website and at personal appearances.
Lee
produced the album with husband
Ronnie Shacklett
and longtime guitarist
Dave Powelson
, and the recording values are as high as if it had been crafted for major label release. She sings a dozen
gospel
songs, all of which are well-known classics like
"Old Rugged Cross"
and
"Amazing Grace"
that afford
ample opportunity to display her expressive
ballad
style. The arrangements vary from the piano and vocal chorus of
"Softly and Tenderly"
to the sparse acoustic guitar accompaniment of
"Unclouded Day,"
with an orientation toward slow, intensely
spiritual
songs. ~ Greg Adams