Gardens in the Sky: The Bluegrass Gospel of James King (Rounder 11661-0595-2) was released on 20 May 2008. It collects 18 gospel songs by James King (1958–2016), the Martinsville, Virginia, singer nicknamed “The Bluegrass Storyteller.” His own albums had not held enough gospel material for the all-gospel collection his listeners kept asking for, so he recorded six new songs in early 2007 with producer Ken Irwin and set them beside tracks from his existing records and from Longview, the band he sang with.
The song credits show how many different bands stand behind the album. “The Darkest Hour Is Just Before Dawn” has Dan Tyminski on mandolin and tenor vocal, Aubrey Haynie on fiddle and Barry Bales on bass. “The Prettiest Flowers Will Be Blooming,” one of the new recordings, has Kevin Prater on guitar, Chris Hill on banjo, Adam Haynes on fiddle and John Wade on bass, with Hill singing tenor. Three songs, “The Touch of God’s Hand,” “Angels Are Singing (in Heaven Tonight)” and “Voice of My Savior,” are credited to Longview and feature Dudley Connell, Joe Mullins, Don Rigsby, Glen Duncan and Marshall Wilborn. Rhonda Vincent adds a vocal part to “Don’t Worry Mama,” and “It’s Hot Down Here” is sung with Kevin Prater, John Wade and Chris Hill.
Tracklist
- 1 Will He Wait A Little Longer 2:25
- 2 The Darkest Hour is Just Before Dawn alt version 2:22
- 3 Steal Away and Pray alt version 2:44
- 4 Daddy Doesn't Pray Anymore 4:34
- 5 Garden In The Sky 3:01
- 6 Jerusalem Tomorrow 4:48
- 7 It's Hot Down Here 2:27
- 8 Sweeter Than The Flowers 4:20
- 9 Don't Worry Mama 3:11
- 10 The Touch Of God's Hand 2:33
- 11 These Old Pictures 2:38
- 12 Just As The Sun Went Down 4:06
- 13 Message For Peace 3:50
- 14 Angels are Singing (In Heaven Tonight) 4:30
- 15 The Prettiest Flowers Will Be Blooming 3:14
- 16 Voice of My Savior 3:04
- 17 Will You Feel at Home 1:54
- 18 Happy I'll Be 2:53
