The Charlie Daniels Band "How Sweet the Sound"

I have noticed through the years that when my foot starts tapping, The Charlie Daniels Band is usually the reason. I think that you would have to bind me tighter than the Mummy to keep me still when he starts playing that fiddle. Even then, I would be tapping and clapping in my heart!

His recent 2-CD set “How Sweet the Sound ” keeps up my toe-tapping tradition. The same energy that is in “The South’s Gonna Do It” and “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” (among many other tunes) has been infused into 25 gospel songs and hymns. Songs that I am used to hearing sung in mournful, tear-jerking renditions, come alive when played by TCDB. Are you interested in hearing absolute joy in “Amazing Grace”? How about “Nothing But the Blood,” “Power in the Blood,” and “I Am Thine O Lord” sung and played so that you just about have to stand up and shout “Amen!!!” And if you are a TCDB fan, you can imagine the delight in hearing Charlie Daniels sing “Swing Low Sweet Chariot,” “I’ll Fly Away,” and “Peace in the Valley.” There are also some old country favorites, “Precious Lord, Take My Hand,” “Softly and Tenderly,” “I’ll Fly Away,” and “Life’s Railway To Heaven.” I even enjoyed the songs that aren’t particularly my favorite hymns, like “How Great Thou Art.” When Charlie sings it, it has soul.

Charlie says on the jacket of this CD: “I dedicate this imperfect work to Him who alone is perfect, creator of everything which exists, Father of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, author of all truth, all goodness, all salvation, whose mercy endures to all generations, to the majesty, the honor and glory of almighty God.”

I am glad Charlie Daniels will be singing and playing for us for eternity. Heaven will rock! How sweet the sound! I hope he considers doing a CD of Psalms sometime. It would be something to hear and our exclusivist brothers could use the help!

Are you a war-weary warrior? This CD is vitamins for the whole man. It looks to me like your foot is in need of some tapping, your hands in need of some clapping, and your heart in need of some good o’gospel joy. After a few doses of this soul-medicine, you will be energized and recommitted to going onward through life, with your hand upon the throttle and your eye upon the rail.