Mac Wiseman Sings Best Loved Gospel Hymns, released by Dot in 1961, brings Wiseman together with the Jordanaires — the Nashville vocal quartet who had backed Elvis Presley and countless others — for an unusually polished bluegrass-gospel record. The program runs through familiar sacred material like Peace in the Valley and Let the Lower Lights Be Burning, with Wiseman's clear baritone framed by the Jordanaires' close pop-gospel harmonies. The crossover was Dot's signature move with him: pairing a working bluegrass singer with the production resources of mainstream country to reach audiences neither tradition reached alone. The album was one of four Wiseman Dot releases between 1958 and 1961 that defined the second half of his major-label peak.
Tracklist
- 1 Peace in the valley 2:37
- 2 Let the lower light be burning 2:41
- 3 I heard my mother call my name in prayer 2:37
- 4 Bringing in the sheaves 2:47
- 5 Where is my boy tonight 2:30
- 6 The beautiful garden of prayer 2:42
- 7 Beautiful isle of somewhere 3:08
- 8 In the Sweet Bye and Bye alt version 3:12
- 9 If I could hear my mother pray again 2:06
- 10 Shall we gather at the river 3:00
- 11 Lord I’m Coming Home alt version 3:30
- 12 Tell Mother I'll be there 2:25
