Re: Old-time (public domain) gospel songs?

Date: 30 May 2003 13:56:21 -0700
Newsgroups: rec.music.makers.guitar.acoustic
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"Brent Barkow" <email-address-deleted> wrote in message news:<email-address-deleted>...
> I'm finally going to make the recording that my mom's been after me to
> do for years - a cd of all-acoustic old time gospel tunes. I have some
> ideas for songs, but I'd like some suggestions from you guys as well.
> Here are a few I'm considering:
>
> The Old Rugged Cross
> I'll Fly Away
> Were You There
> Is the song "Jacob's Ladder" that Kentucky Thunder does in the public
> domain?
>
> Any suggestions in that vein? I know that Amazing Grace is conspicuously
> (sp?) absent from that list. Mom would love it, but I just don't think I
> could do anything with it that hasn't been done to death. I can try it,
> but I think whatever I do will sound schmaltzy to me.
>
> Thanks,
> Brent
Lots of good suggestions out there so far. Mike Wong does a very nice
fingerstyle medley with "It is Well" "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" and
"How Great Thou Art", they just melt together.
Heard the Blind Boys of Alabama do "Amazing Grace" to the tune of
"House of the Rising Sun" - the minor key harmony gave me cold chills,
and it's easy both to play and sing, just do it slow.
"As the Deer" is simple, and has a nice melody.
The Gospel Music Archive has hundreds to pick from, mostly lyrics &
chords.
Finally, my personal favorite (this week) is Wayfaring Stranger.
Have fun,
Mike Falkner