Gospel Time,
Ruth Brown's first and only gospel album, was recorded in 1963 in Nashville under
Shelby Singleton's direction, using country musicians.
Ray Stevens of "Ahab the Arab" fame plays organ. Vocal backgrounds are by the Milestone Singers. The most impressive cuts are "Closer Walk With Thee," with soulful guitar licks from
Jerry Kennedy and
Harold Bradley; "Peace in the Valley," with nice piano triplets by
Harold "Pig" Robbins; the beautiful "Walk With Me"; and a fabulous version of "Milky White Way."
Brown even tries her hand at preaching in a rocking version of "Morning Train." This is a surprisingly fine album.