Though Carl Story was best known for his extensive gospel recordings for the Mercury and Starday labels, he recorded some of his best work for Columbia between 1953 and 1955. This important and well produced re-issue from the dependable German Bear Family label features all 18 of the songs Story cut for the label in 4 sessions --among these are four previously unissued songs including good versions of DON'T YOU HEAR JERUSALEM MOURN and IT WON'T BE LONG, and the lovely ONE LITTLE WORD sung by Red Rector. At the time Story fronted a very good band that included Rector (mandolin & vocals), Claude Boone (guitar) and Ray Atkins (dobro). Fiddler Jerry Rivers and bass player Ernie Newton were brought in for these sessions as well. The breakdown of the material here is 8 secular songs and 10 gospel songs. Apart from a couple of stiffs (WHAT A LINE and YOU'VE BEEN TOM CATTIN AROUND), it's excellent fare, with fine renditions of LOVE AND WEALTH, HAVE YOU COME TO SAY GOODBYE, MY LORD KEEPS A RECORD, REUNION IN HEAVEN, A MILLION YEARS IN GLORY and I LOVE THE SONGS THEY SANG AT MOTHER'S GRAVE. With discography and good notes from Dr. Charles Wolfe, this is another winner from the fabulous re-issue label, Bear Family.
