Pine Mountain Railroad - “Pickin’ Praisin’ & Singin’” (Rural Rhythm Records.)

Wow, did Cody Shuler write a monster or what?

I’m talking about “My Eyes Shall Be on Canaan’s Land,” the first track on Pine Mountain Railroad’s new gospel CD, “Pickin’, Praisin’ & Singin’.”

Pardon me, the band has a bit of new monicker. It’s no longer Pine Mountain Railroad, it’s Cody Shuler and Pine Mountain Railroad. And, so be it. Shuler has taken over the management of the band, which has been in a bit of a state of influx with members coming and going over its 10-year history. Besides managing the band, Shuler fronts the shows — and he’s a pleasant but commanding presence on stage in the group’s dynamic stage shows.

But back to “My Eyes Shall Be on Canaan’s Land.” What a terrific piece of writing. Shuler has composed a tune here of Albert Brumley-ish stature. This song won’t be another “I’ll Fly Away,” which Brumley penned, but I’d bet this won’t be it’s first airing, either. It’s just right. Dead on. Bull’s eye! The words, the chords, the four-part harmony. Did I mention the goosebumps?

Needless to say, what a way to open a new CD, which, after the first take-my-breath-away track, does not disappoint at all. In fact, it’s pretty darn enjoyable.

That’s a lot, coming from these ears. I think it only fair to give you my take on gospel CDs. You may understand, you might not. You may think me too narrow minded. Nonetheless, I’ll be upfront with you, so give me some credit for honesty. Since I’ve taken on the responsibility of reviewing CDs for this Web site, I feel somewhat compelled to tell you where I stand with gospel music and new gospel CDs. I love gospel music — if it’s familiar territory, as in something I heard at church when I was a kid, or something that was sung every summer by some cousin at the family reunion. Other than that, obscure old gospel mountain music or contemporary tunes seldom really click with me. An exception would be some of the little gems that Indiana songwriter Jimmy Woolsey has penned. And, as you might have expected by now, “My Eyes Shall Be on Canaan’s Land.”

Even though the instrumental work is fine and dandy, make no mistake, this is a vocal showcase — from Track 1 to Track 16

Still with me? If so, click off the Pause button and let’s continue on with “Pickin’ Praisin’ & Singin’.”

Golly Moses (pun intended), I really, really like this CD. After the first listen, I felt almost too prejudiced to review it. But, review it I will, with this recommendation: If you’re into gospel, especially bluegrass gospel, don’t let this CD slip through your fingers.

Shuler and Pine Mountain Railroad guitarist Jerry Cole do the bulk of the lead and tenor singing on this recording. They swap roles, from song to song. I can’t begin to tell you whose voice I like the best. Cole has this unpolished gem of an emotional voice, while Shuler’s shimmering vocals at times have a Vince Gill quality. But the supporting vocal cast is equally strong, since most of the tunes on the CD are given four-part harmony treatment. No shortage of a cappela jewels here, either.

I guess my traditional gospel roots really come through here, but my favorites, aside from the opening cut, have to included a soulful rendition of “Where the Soul Never Dies,” “This World Is Not My Home,” “Rock of Ages” (a vocal masterpiece) and “The Old Rugged Cross.” The latter gets a real pleasant mix of the rustic and contemporary. It’s just neat. And, how could I forget, “What Would You Give In Exchange,” a goose-bump producer with simply guitar, mandolin and Shuler/Cole vocals.

This entire band obviously poured a lot of its soul, individually and collectively, into this wonderful CD. Other members of the group are Bill McBee on bass, fiddler Matt Flake and Dale Thomas on banjo. And even though the instrumental work is fine and dandy, make no mistake, this is a vocal showcase — from Track 1 to Track 16. (Yes, it’s a generous CD)

The recording, just released on the Rural Rhythm label, is available at www.ruralrhythm.com or pinemountainrailroad.com.

Finally, a confession (fitting for a gospel review, eh?) This review copy of “Pickin’, Praisin’ and Singin’” will not end up in a pile of CDs that I seldom, if ever, listen to again. No, I’ve got it on as I write this. And thinking, gee, this is about as good as gospel gets. Give it a listen and guaranteed, you’ll give me a big “Amen.”

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Pine Mountain Railroad will release “Pickin’ Praisin’ & Singin’” on Rural Rhythm Records.

Rural Rhythm Records is proud to announce the new album, “Pickin’, Praisin’ & Singin’ - Hymns from the Mountain”by Cody Shuler & Pine Mountain Railroad.  The group, recently voted 2007 Winner for “Bluegrass Gospel Song of the Year” by Singing News Magazine plus several Top 10 albums and songs hitting the Bluegrass Unlimited and Billboard magazine charts, delivers a powerful bluegrass gospel album of gospel classics.  This is the perfect vehicle to showcase the band’s beautiful blended harmonies and tight pickin’ which has brought them much National attention over the past 10 years.

“Our goal for this 16 track Gospel Album is to capture the rich heritage of the past with the present, something we call ‘sound traditions’ and ‘new traditions’, and present it in a creative way that appeals to Bluegrass Gospel and Southern Gospel listeners.  We want to keep those standards true to their roots and at the same time present it in a fresh and powerful manner - all at a very affordable price for everyone to enjoy,” said Sam Passamano, President of Rural Rhythm Records.

This new 16 track, specially priced Gospel album includes such standards as, “Where the Soul of Man Never Dies,” “I Bowed on My Knees and Cried Holy,” “How Beautiful Heaven Must Be,” “The Old Rugged Cross,” and many more.  The CD also includes TWO radio releases, “My Eyes Shall Be on Canaan’s Land” to bluegrass radio plus an upcoming Southern Gospel release, “Blood Bought My Freedom.”  Terry Herd of the Bluegrass Radio Network found the CD, “Rock solid and refreshing.  These guys have arrived,” with Les Butler of Singing News Magazine and Front Porch Fellowship agreeing stating, “Now that’s what I call top notch bluegrass gospel singing.”

Front Porch Fellowship Radio Network will feature the CD as their July Album Showcase directed to the Southern Gospel market and will include an interview mixed in with single and album airplay all month long.

Backed by a major new tour and coming off a #1 song in February on XM Radio’s Bluegrass Junction, Cody Shuler & Pine Mountain Railroad’s new gospel album is right on track and full steam ahead to race their way right up the bluegrass and gospel radio and album charts.

For more information on Pine Mountain Railroad, please visit:  www.pinemountainrailroad.com or www.RuralRhythm.com

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Mountain Heart’s video for Road That Never Ends is currently #2 on CMT Pure 12 Pack Countdown.

Tim Hensley will be featured in the May 16th country issue of People Magazine that includes an article,a review of Long Monday, Hensley’s debut on Rural Rhythm Records and a free song download.

Mountain Heart’s video for the title track of Road That Never Ends is currently in the #2 spot on CMT Pure 12 Pack Countdown. To vote for Mountain Heart visit CMT here.

Carrie Hassler and Hard Rain will be releasing a new single, “I Can Always Go Back Anytime” “I Can Go Back Anytime,” written by Jennifer Strickland, this month. Hassler and Hard Rain will also release a new Album this summer titled CHHR2.

Mashville Brigade’s first single, “Take This Hammer,” releases May 15th on Prime Cuts of Bluegrass. The Brigade also has an Upcoming appearance with Kyle Cantrell on XM Radio in the near future.

Rickey Wasson’s “Losin’ In Las Vegas” and Cody Shuller and Pine Mountain Railroad’s “My Eyes Shall Be On Canaan’s Land” are both set to be released to radio as singles. Both Wasson and Pine Mountain Railroad have upcoming albums to be released on Rural Rhythm Records.

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Jerry Cole

Jerry Cole is Pine Mountain Railroad’s new guitar player.

Cole grew up in Sharps Chapel, Tenn., where he still resides. Jerry’s dad instilled a great bluegrass music heritage in him, having performed for years with the regionally well-known gospel bluegrass group, The Better Way Quartet.

According to Pine Mountain Railroad’s Web site, Cole “is an accomplished bassist but is playing lead and rhythm guitar for PMRR. He also contributes lead, tenor, and baritone vocals.”

The band is still beaming for having its version of “Beyond the Rain,” recorded with The Isaacs, named favorite bluegrass gospel song for 2007 by the Singing News’ Front Porch Fellowship, a bluegrass gospel program affiliated with SolidGospel.com.

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Last fall, mandolin player Cody Shuler took over management of Pine Mountain Railroad and put a bold “high lonesome” stamp on the group. That sound literally screams off almost every track of “Alone with Forever,” the band’s latest CD on SteelTown Records. This is a band that takes “high lonesome” seriously, but with enough original material and an edge to compete with more contemporary sounding groups.

“Alone with Forever” is quite the vehicle for Shuler, who not only adds some notable mandolin licks to the mixes, but is very definitely a big part of the band’s vocal sound. Not to mention he either wrote or co-wrote much of the original material on the CD.

“Nowhere, Carolina” is one of the CD’s highlights; it’s one of those melodic ballads paying homage to the simple life, written by Shuler, guitarist Mark Cable and banjo picker Elmer Burchett Jr.

Pine Mountain Railroad

Traditionalists and fans of pure country music will also enjoy the group’s tight vocal rendition of “I Heard the Bluebirds Sing,” first given fame by Jim Ed Brown and his sisters way back when.

“Clementine,” the CD’s opener, is a rowdy, toe-tapper written by Shuler and bass player Bill McBee. And, of course, the group pays homage to its main sponsor by dishing up a rip-roaring helping of Odom’s Tennessee Pride Grand Ole Opry Theme. Obviously, it’s all about bringing home the bacon — er, make that sausage — with a smile on the band’s faces.

Other members of the group are Matt “Scooter” Flake, fiddle; and Eli Johnson on guitar.

“Alone with Forever” is already showing up on several charts, including Bluegrass Music Profiles, XM Radio and Roots Music Report.

Fans of true-blue bluegrass will embrace this CD. Those with more contemporary leanings should give it a listen. The CD just might embrace them.

By Dan Tackett

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