SOUL'S CHAPEL Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives

Greetings Moosic Lovers...welcome to the world of Ruminatin' Rod' Record Review Moos-icology.

Marty Stuart is no newcomer to the music scene. He stared out as early as 12 years old...and has performed with everyone from Lester Flatt, Doc and Merle Watson, and Johnny Cash...as well as many solo endeavours and collaborations with multiple artists. he is well versed in the stringed instruments including guitar and mandolin.

His personal life has been a rocky road between faith and the honkytonk...between the glory and the flame. As he walked the tightrope of life...he fell of a few times (haven't we all?) I was reading the other day how...after a couple of drunk driving arrests, a divorce from Cindy CAsh (one of Johnny's daughters)... (Hey...the man aint' perfect...but neither am I) that Mavis Staples and her sister came to Marty and gave him a Roebuck "Pops" Staples original guitar. They told him that Pops would want him to have it. It became a lifeline to him. Currently Marty has a show on RFD T.V. called THE MARTY STUART SHOW....that showcases his Fabulous Superalatives and Connie Smith (his wife)...and others.

SOUL'S CHAPEL is a delightul, refreshing, stimulating collection of gospel songs mixed in with a blend of gospel, country, blues, shimmering pop sounds with a strong message.

The CD cover itself is a throw back to the 60's with the artwork and promises of Stereo...High Fidelity and a promise of the project being...COMPATIBLE WITH ALL DENOMINATIONS...on Superlative Records.
To me this project is very guitar driven (of course with multiple instruments)...and draws you in from the "git-go".

The CD opens up with a swamp sounding song called SOMEBODY SAVED ME, written by Roebuck "Pops" Staples. This is the first of two song written by Pops Staples with the second one being MOVE ALONG TRAIN...that is sung with Marty by the familiar sounds of Mavis (I'll Take You There) Staples...of the Staples Singers. It just does not get more souful than this.



I was first introduced to this project...when a Physical Therapist...and good brother in the Lord... asked me to come to the Union Rescue Mission and sing a song witht he band from his church. He told me that he could hear me singing the song COME INTO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD...from this project. Well...he was right...I truly enjoyed joining the band and giving my rendition. I sung a second song called FREE AT LAST...blowing my harmonica like BLIND LEMON PLEDGE (my bluesman persona). Well...I bought the SOUL'S CHAPEL CD sog I could practice the one song...and fell in love with the rest of the project.

Other songs includes THE GOSPEL STORY OF NOAH'S ARK...a great retelling of the story...to LORD, GIVE ME JUST A LITTLE MORE TIME... where Marty cries out...that "I'm ready when you call Lord, give me just a little more time." It is a song about being ready...but relaizing that there is a harvest that needs to be brought in. The songs intertwine musical styles from rockabilly to traditional gospel sounds...deeply rooted in the Missisippi Delta sounds that Marty grew up with as a child.


A little side note...Marty reminds me of a banty rooster ready to rock and roll at the drop of the hat...but not getting to far from his roots. Of course...if the hat is dropped...you will see one of the most famous known mullet pompadours in music history. Put on a Nudie suit...with all the spark and shimmer of Porter Waggoner...and you have country music personified.

Well...that's it for this review. I hope you enjoyed it...and would even pick you up a copy for your listening enjoyment.


I would have to give this project 5 moo-moos...out of 5. Of course...I do not review projects that I don't like...so if you want a critical critique (C.C.)...you will have to go elsewhere.



Love and Pompadoured Kisses
Rodney "Come Into The House" Boyd