Wandering Strange
It was a divine inspiration for Kate Campbell to take the traditional Baptist hymnal to the Fame Studios (and famed rhythm section) of Muscle Shoals, Alabama. The musicians forged a groove that renews the spiritual testament of hymns that predate gospel--the rock upon which Southern soul is built--while the sweet-voiced preacher's daughter contributes some original material in a similar vein of uplift. (Less of a musical fit is the homily-laden "The House You Live In," written byGordon Lightfoot.) Though her voice lacks the grit so often associated with such fare, the churchy strains of keyboardist Spooner Oldham, Campbell's right-hand man throughout, have never sounded more at home. As arranged by Campbell, centuries-old hymns such as "There Is a Fountain" and "The Prodigal" sound timeless in their stately majesty.--Don McLeese