Throughout the disk Cody Shuler and Jerry Cole alternate lead vocals. When not at the helm the men provide a surprisingly sweet, clear tenor and a rich, full-bodied tenor respectively. Matt Flake’s baritone provides an anchor with surprising depth for his apparent youth and Bill McBee’s bass is brought in to seal the deal when the most driving rhythms require his counterpoint.
Playing up the ability to produce this glorious melding of voices several tracks are a capella including “I Bowed on My Knees and Cried Holy”, “Run On”, and “So High”. Some songs include accompaniment by a single guitar or guitar and mandolin back up. This is in no way related to any weakness in musicianship – the band works together like a tightly oiled machine with amazing timing and cohesion – it’s just that the amazing vocal work is best lightly supported in many cases. In fact, one of the entirely a capella tracks “Run On” is one of the strongest on the disc a rhythmic, powerful tune with swing leanings that warns of the futility of running from God’s impending judgment. A close runner up is “So High” another a capella track wherein the four vocalists trade off the lead, interspersed with an infectious chorus.
Pine Mountain Railroad will impress newcomers and devotees alike with their brilliant execution combined with the mix of style variations and topics explored on Pickin’, Praisin’ & Singin’. I danced on my seat and on my feet, cried with longing for heaven and looked to my savior with praise and devotion. I wouldn’t dare ask for more from a gospel album.
Track Listing
- “My Eyes Shall Be On Canaan’s Land”
- “I Bowed Down My Knees and Cried Holy”
- “Blood Brought My Freedom”
- "When We All Get to Heaven”
- “Where the Soul Never Dies”
- “The Gospel Ship”
- “Run On”
- “Let’s Meet by the River”
- “This World Is Not My Home”
- “How Beautiful Heaven Must Be”
- “So High”
- “The Old Rugged Cross”
- “Over in the Gloryland”
- “What Would You Give in Exchange”
- “Rock of Ages”
- “I’m Getting Ready to Leave This World”
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