Just Keep Goin’ On

Description

Just Keep Goin’ On is an album by the American bluesman Reverend Dan Smith (January 23rd, 1911 – November 16th, 1994), independently released on Glasshouse Records in 1992, distributed by Word. Also distributed by Epic Records, a division of Sony Music. The album was produced by Buddy Miller with John Flynn.

American gospel blues is a dying art – literally. With the great bluesmen rising in age, and few if any who stand ready to pick up the torch, this indigenous musical form is in danger of becoming extinct. Just as we feel delight at the preservation of an endangered species, this fine recording of Reverend Dan Smith in his twilight years is such a gift.

Of course, producers Buddy (husband of Julie) Miller and John Flynn have taken the opportunity to present Rev. Smith in a contemporary setting, while taking care to protect the authentic blues stylings of his vocals and harmonica playing. Miller provides guitars, and outstanding vocal support comes from King Cotton, Willie Green Jr., and Dexter Dickerson. Special help comes from Bryan Duncan (of all people) on «God’s Radar», while Julie Miller joins in on «I Walk by Faith», and Mark Heard and Victoria Williams contribute to the country feel of «When Your Time Comes to Die».

There is real assurance in «Jesus Knows My Name», and for those of us privileged with education there is challenge in «I’ve Never Been to Seminary, But I’ve Been to Calvary». This album of fine bluesy gospel singing finds its spiritual and artistic center in Rev. Smith’s testimony, «Down Through the Years». More good news than many current evangelical presentations, precisely because it comes from a life that has known “trials and troubles and tribulations,” and can still sing “The Lord’s been good to me.”

This wonderful album rings true. If the word “blessing” applies to anything going on in 1992, it applies to Rev. Dan Smith’s ‘Just Keep Goin’ On’. [Brian Q. Newcomb, CCM, November 1992]

CD tracklist:

01. God’s Radar – 3:23
02. Just Keep Goin’ On – 2:48
03. Introduction – 0:59
04. I’ve Never Been To Seminary, But I’ve Been To Calvary – 4:38
05. I Walk By Faith – 3:24
06. To Another Room – 4:51
07. Dan Speaks – 0:15
08. It Takes God To Build A Home – 3:37
09. When Your Time Comes To Die – 2:52
10. Jesus Knows My Name – 4:06
11. This Is The Lord’s House – 3:14
12. Down Through The Years (Testimony) – 8:47

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Glasshouse Records.

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An advertisement for the Glasshouse Records label – featuring Just Keep Goin’ On by Reverend Dan Smith and The Embarrassing Young by John Austin – was published in the July 1992 issue of CCM Magazine.

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