Search - Old Regular Baptist :: Songs Of The Old Regular Baptists: Lined-Out Hymnody From Southeastern Kentucky

Sounds like Sunday Morning

Gary L. Eldridge | Rising Sun, IN | 06/07/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I want to address this review as someone who has attended the Old Regular Baptist church since birth. Having heard many if not all of these singers, such as the late I.D. Back and Elwood Cornett, in my lifetime, I can attest to the fact that first, this is the authentic music, sung by authentic Old Regular Baptist singers, and second, this is going to move your soul! The Old Regular Baptists can be an acquired taste for those unfamiliar with their ways of singing and worship. But hold on to your seats when God's spirit moves through a churchhouse! You CANNOT walk away from such a service unmoved. The music of the ORBs is unusual and not at all what one might be used to. The soulful, drawn-out melodies are as much a call to worship as is the messages brought by the three or four preachers you will hear during the course of the service. Plain and unassuming, these humble lay preachers who are usually visiting from other churches will preach in a distinctive sing-song style that calls not so much upon their or your knowledge of the King James Version of the Bible, but gets to the sole point of their ministry: "Are you saved? If you are, celebrate the coming joy! If not, here is how you can be!" After hearing this tape/CD, I hope that you might take the next step and visit an Old Regular Baptist Church near you. I assure you that you will feel welcome."

Wonderful for the religious folk tradition specialist

M. J. Smith | Seattle, WA USA | 07/16/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is not a CD of polished performers or even experienced folk musicians - this is the recording of a Old Regular Baptist congregation singing their normal church repetoire in their normal style. The music is important to them and their tradition - the musical quality is sufficiently good to not be a barrier. They sing lined-out hymns - a style I first met in a Weavers' parody - where the leader chooses a hymn tune that fits the hymn text's meter, then sings out a line which is followed by the congregation singing back the line. The result is a slow paced hymn singing style that encourages reflection on the text. Today I'd say On Jordan's stormy banks is my favorite cut .. but tomorrow?"

An Amazing Find

James G. Burke | Florida | 05/06/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My grandmother was a member of the Old Regular Baptist church and I attended church there with her regularly. I was very pleasantly surprised to find that an accurate recording of the singing style of the Old Regular Baptists was available on CD. This is a cultural treasure of Appalachia that may not survive another generation or two and I am thrilled to know that is has been preserved and that I can once again hear this music even though I no longer live in an area where such singing is done.



Anyone with an interest in the religious culture of eastern Kentucky, western Virginia, etc. will find the music of the Old Regular Baptists to be very enlightening and educational."