Track Listing

1. Battle Cry (Ram's Horn)
2. Soldier of the Cross
3. Voice from on High
4. Darkest Hour
5. Gone Home
6. Joshua Generation
7. Waiting at the Gate
8. Seven Hillsides
9. Are You Afraid To Die
10. Remember The Cross
11. Were You There
12. Jacob's Vision
13. I'm Ready To Go
14. Lead Me To The Rock

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #10299 in Music
• Released on: 2001-08-28
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

Amazon.com
From the first stentorian battle call of the shofar (ram's horn) to the excerpt from a famous Billy Graham speech and the standard it inspired--the Louvin Brothers' "Are You Afraid to Die"--it's obvious that Ricky Skaggs isn't just out to soothe souls, but to save them. Naturally the outspoken Christian fundamentalist delves deeply into his bluegrass roots for supernal inspiration on his first all-gospel album. He serves up fervent renditions of bluegrass-gospel favorites like Ralph Stanley's "The Darkest Hour," Bill Monroe's "Remember the Cross," and the Bill Carlisle-penned, Flatt & Scruggs-covered "Gone Home," but Skaggs also finds inspiration in contemporary gospel tunes like "The Joshua Generation," which features a soaring Crosby, Stills & Nash-style vocal finale. Yet the most amazing cut is "Seven Hillsides," a song that vividly chronicles an Appalachian preacher's overwhelming self-doubt and sense of inadequacy as he prepares to minister to his congregation's immense and tragic losses. Like much of this lovely and aggressively inspirational collection, "Seven Hillsides" speaks to the humanity and spirituality in just about all of us--hardcore Christian and closet agnostic alike. --Bob Allen

Customer Reviews

Ricky --- Gospel --- Need We Say More?
Ricky Skaggs, backed by his talented Kentucky Thunder, has produced yet another masterpiece. I have an extensive bluegrass gospel collection and I would have to say that this recording is definitely near the top of the stack. The entire album was superb (with the exception of one track), but some songs merit individual recognition.

As a traditionalist, I was glad to hear Ricky's recording of "Voice From On High", which owed much of its sound to an earlier recording by the Stanley Brothers (no coincidence, since Ricky got his start with Ralph Stanley as part of the Clinch Mountain Boys). The high tenor, sung by Paul Brewster, climbs right up your spine. If you've ever wondered what a bluegrass fan meant when they said high lonesome this is it.

"The Darkest Hour" is yet another old song. This selection, nonetheless, would merit buying the album. In many ways, the arrangement is reminiscent of "Walls of Time" that appeared on Ricky's second all bluegrass album, ANCIENT TONES. "Are You Afraid to Die" has been recorded many times before. This track begins with Dr. Billy Graham delivering his testimony followed by probably the best recording of this song to date.

There are no words for "Seven Hillsides" except perhaps "extraordinary". Have you ever wondered what preacers feel when tragedy occurs and they are left to help pick up the pieces? This song answers the question.

Finally, there is one track (the exception) that has been done better: "Lead Me to the Rock". A better recording of this acapella piece can be found on Don Rigsby's A VISION (an album I greatly recommend) under the title "Higher Than I". Ricky's vocals, at times, seem strained on this selection.

What makes this recording work is not just the talent of the band and Ricky's beautiful voice. It is the fact that the music MEANS something to Ricky; he believes what he sings. Buy it. Listen to it. You'll love it.

Ricky Skaggs puts aside earthly riches for Heavenly ones!
I have been a fan of Ricky Skaggs since the early 70's, when my husband played in a band with him. He was pure Bluegrass then.

He then had tremendous success with his angelic voice in crossover country. But, with Soldier of the Cross, Ricky steps out on faith and gives up these worldly riches to reach the unsaved with pristine Bluegrass Gospel.

Ricky Skaggs and the other members in the band are missionaries in their own field.

All praises go to Him, that Ricky is able to present the Gospel in the purest of Bluegrass style.

A must buy CD for anyone that is saved and has a loved one, who loves bluegrass and is not saved. In fact you better buy more than one copy as when you hear how wonderful Soldier Of the Cross is, you will want to have a spare copy for gifts!

Great CD
I bought this CD because I knew if it was anything like Bluegrass Rules and Ancient Tones that Ricky and Kentucky Thunder recorded, it would be worth the money. And it was! Best cut on the album was a simple duo by Paul Brewster and Ricky Skaggs called Waitin at the Gate that Brewster had written himself. This is a work of art and bluegrass at its best. Hope to hear a solo album from him one day. I had perceived it being a bluegrass gospel album, but the only down side to this album was the two contemporary songs Ricky put on it. Should have been straight bluegrass or straight contemporary. Two completely different audiences. But luckily I have my one button control to skip those. Still the other 10 songs are worth the buy.