Doc Watson has such a large catalog of material that it is hard to pick out just one or two when you come across them in a store.  But my love for bluegrass gospel drew me to On Praying Ground. It is a collection of sacred songs, most of which are old classic tunes that Doc pours his love and soul into. 

For nearly every song on the album, Doc’s signature guitar style is clearly evident.  What makes it even better is that Doc used a backing band that included Jerry Douglas on dobro, Sam Bush on mandolin, and Jack Lawrence on guitar.  A stellar cast!  Yet while his group certainly augments Doc’s always incredible guitar picking, they never overshadow him.  The blind guitar virtuoso gives each song his own flourish, from the bright upbeats songs like “You Must Come in at the Door,” “I’ll Live On,” and a lovely version of “Uncloudy Day,” to more down tempo tunes like “Precious Lord” and “Farther Along.”

Watson also resurrects some positively antique songs for this disc.  “Beautiful Golden Somewhere” is a late 19^th century tune that Doc chooses to sing alone with his harmonica.  His baritone, sometimes wavering with his age, is a striking lead for this song.  Another is labeled as "Christmas Lullaby" in the track listing, but is also found in old hymn books as “Hush My Babe” and various other titles; it was written by Isaac Watts around 1715.  Similarly, the a cappella quartet song, “Did Christ O’er Sinners Weep,” dates back to the 1700s.  It is great to hear artists like Watson breathe new life into songs that could well have been forgotten with time.  The only downside to “Weep” is the recitation of the 3^rd Chapter of St. John played over a repeat of the first verse.  I am not big on recitations, and would have much preferred to hear the original third and/or fourth verse in its place, but it is a good track nonetheless.   

On Praying Ground is a simply produced window into the front porch style gospel singing that is a common cultural staple of the mountains in western North Carolina where Doc was born.  Even with a knockout cast of backing musicians, Doc keeps the focus on the lyrics to these songs, which in sacred songs, are arguably the most important feature.

Rating: B+

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