Brent Cobb — And Now Let’s Turn to Page…
Brent Cobb mixes one original with a collection of traditional southern gospel on And Now Let’s Turn to Page… A car crash at a country crossroads developed into a renewed outlook on life and a sense of the fleetingness of time. Cobb’s response to this near-death experience was to make the gospel record he’d always been wanting to make. “I’d always had it in the back of my mind to make a gospel album. That moment of clarity, of almost getting killed, made me think I should just make the gospel album now,” Cobb says. The resultant record pays tribute to its source material and the tradition of country artist releasing gospel records with maintaining an essence that is uniquely Cobb with a mix of country, blues, and southern rock behind Cobb’s warm and instantly familiar vocal.
And Now Let’s to Turn to Page… was produced by Grammy Award-winning producer, and Brent’s cousin, Dave Cobb and recorded at Nashville’s famed RCA Studio A. Brian Allen (bass), Mike Harris (guitar), Chris Powell (drums), Philip Towns (keyboard) and vocals from Caylee Hammock, Anderson East, and Antioch.
A favorite of many southern grandmas, “Just a Closer Walk with Thee” opens this collection with laid back strumming, poignant piano, and a sparse drum providing a bed over which Cobb’s lead and accompanying harmonies take flight establishing a redemptive tone early.
Cobb’s sole original, “When It’s My Time” follows with swinging gospel piano pulsing its redemptive rhythm. Written with his wife, Layne, and Mike Harmeier, “When It’s My Time” fits as easily among these hymns as if it had been written one hundred years ago in a frenzy of religious fervor. “Are You Washed in the Blood” gets the southern rock treatment.
Less Sunday morning confession and more a swampy Saturday night challenge, “Are You Washed in the Blood” brings Cobb’s barroom swagger through the church doors. “We Shall Rise” mines similar territory while “Old Rugged Cross” and “Old Country Church” embrace the quiet moments of reflection and devotion.
An acapella rendition of “Blessed Be the Tie That Binds” closes this referential collection with a family affair as Cobb is joined by his wife, mother, sister, and father. The collection of voices brings home the implied message about the importance of place, time, family, and devotion with a sound sympathetic to the stresses this world places on that tie.
One part Saturday night, one part Sunday morning, on And Now Let’s Turn to Page… Brent Cobb brings both to the pulpit and challenges the listener to jump from their pew and holler hallelujah.
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