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The Goins Brothers - God Bless Her She's My Mother

(Jessup MB-146) Aug 1974

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Although the Goins Brothers first all-gospel album was recorded in August 1973 in Jackson Michigan, it didn't get released until a year later.

Another strong album, it includes several Gospel standards like Crying Holy, I'll Fly Away, Uncloudy Day, Where We'll Never Grow Old & Old Time Religion.

Two tracks (He Showed Me The Way and Death Came Creepin' In My Room) had previously been recorded by the Lonesome Pine Fiddlers with Melvin & Ray, during their spell on Starday in the early '60s.

The title cut, God Bless Her ('Cause She's My Mother) is a version of the Louvin Brothers song from their 'Family Who Prays' LP (Capitol SM-1061) 1958.

Harley Gabbard dominates on lead vocal on Family Reunion, which he wrote with Aubrey Holt. The song first appeared on a 45 by the Logan & Laurel County Boys in the mid-50s, before being picked up by Carl Story. (The original can now be heard on youtube.) Harley also sings lead on the Hank Williams number, House Of Gold.

Six Hours On The Cross by J.D. Jarvis, is another good number, that has subsequently been recorded by several bluegrass bands. J.D. first cut it in 1968 ("Jubilee Gospel Songs" (Rural Rhythm RRJD-209)) and again in 1971 ("Hyden Miners Tragedy" (Down Home 110113)).

Although the harmony vocals are to the fore on the album, it does include an instrumental of Maiden's Prayer. This was a country-swing hit for Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys, but was originally written by Polish Composer Tekla Badarzewska-Baranowska & published in 1856. Wills arranged the tune & first recorded it as an instrumental, before adding lyrics in 1941 about the maiden praying for her boyfriend's return (a common theme in WWII era songs). A bit of an oddity then on an otherwise 'all-gospel' LP!

Overall this is a pretty decent gospel album and also the last Jessup LP to be released by The Goins Brothers. Although one further session took place only one 45 was released. The material for that 'lost' album later resurfaced on the Bluegrass Blues cassette.

Oh... and Ralph Stanley did the liner notes for this one...

• Melvin Goins: guitar
• Ray Goins: banjo
• Harley Gabbard: dobro
• Ralph "Joe" Meadows: fiddle
• George Portz: bass