Lifeline (2004)

About this title: On the surface, Lifeline, Iris Dement's return to recording after an eight-year hiatus, is a collection of age-old gospel and church tunes from the 19th century -- or earlier -- in the grand Protestant tradition. He liner notes tell a different story. She recounts how her mother played and sang these songs in times of stress looking straight at the sky, "as if she were talking to someone." She claims that for her, too, the music contained here became her lifeline through a season of hardship, and that when calling her mother from the road in difficult straits, she was told to get to a piano. ... read more

Tracks:

1. I've Got That Old Time Religion in My Heart [Milsap]
2. Blessed Assurance [Crosby]
3. Fill My Way With Love [Sebren]
4. Hide Thou Me [Crosby]
5. The Old Gospel Ship [Public Domain]
6. Sweet Hour of Prayer [Walford]
7. That Glad Reunion Day [Pace]
8. Leaning on the Everlasting Arms [Hoffman/Showalter]
9. He Reached Down [DeMent]
10. Near the Cross [Crosby]
11. I Never Shall Forget the Day [Speer]
12. I Don't Want to Get Adjusted [Massengale]
13. God Walks the Dark Hills [Czarnikow]

Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is further described below.