Taken from some of
Jim Cullum's "Riverwalk, Live From the Landing" radio shows, this set of hymns and religious-oriented music is performed by
Cullum's jazz band in spirited and swinging fashion. The music is given Dixieland-ish and hot jazz treatments, with cornetist
Cullum's band (featuring pianist
John Sheridan, trombonist
Mike Pittsley, and usually clarinetist
Evan Christopher) in fine form. Flugelhornist
Clark Terry guests on the opening "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen," trumpeter
Nicholas Payton is on "His Eye Is on the Sparrow," and
Topsy Chapman has four vocals along the way. The music, which can easily be enjoyed by nonbelievers, is highlighted by "Deep River," "Ave Maria," "Just a Closer Walk With Thee" (a feature for
Christopher), and "Down by the Riverside."