Songs like the title track and the classic "Ain't Gonna Study War No More" help demonstrate the muscle of the music. Other classic spirituals, like "Go Down, Moses" and "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen," are given the full gospel treatment and the arrangements are quite persuasive.

There's no question that this recording is a departure from Nat's signature style. Some argue that a more general approach would have helped the material gain ground on the charts. Pat Boone and Perry Como had done similar gospel records and they had sold rather well, whereas Nat's album was largely forgotten. Others argue that Cole could have gone the way of Elvis and used traditional organization to create a more refined sound. Whatever the theories were, it was clear that Every Time I Feel the Spirit was not a favourite among the public in 1959.

Sometimes in music the unusual approach is the most appealing one. That is certainly the case with Every Time I Feel the Spirit. This may be one of Nat's most natural-sounding recordings yet. Collector's Choice has graciously reissued this less-than-popular recording and perhaps now it will find a new audience. It deserves a listen for its attention-grabbing slant towards the music and for its courage.

The way Cole meshes with the choir is not faultless, but it does feel natural and improbably gorgeous in many cases. The songs are impressive and there is plenty of stirring musical moments to be experienced. By and large, Every Time I Feel the Spirit may be one of Cole's most fascinating releases and it's well worth a listen.