THE FAIRFIELD FOUR
"I COULDN'T HEAR NOBODY PRAY"
WARNER BROS. RECORDS
“Rollin’ down the river...” I had listened to the Fairfield Four’s new CD, “I Couldn’t Hear Nobody Pray,” a couple ties before I read the press release about it. In the release, I learned that the Fairfield Four had just been touring with John Fogarty. Immediately, the chorus “Rollin’ down the river...” from Fogarty’s/Creedence’s great version of “Proud
Mary” came to mind. Like the “big wheel that keeps on turnin’..” The Fairfield Four “keep on bumin’...”. Since the 1920’s...yes...the 1920’s, the Fairfield Four have been enlightening listeners with their impassioned and diverse gospel sounds. However, they have crossed the line and attracted music lovers from all genres. Having collaborated with musicians such as Elvis Costello, Lyle Lovett, Steve Earle, and as mentioned, John Fogarty, one can see that they attract the best. On their new release, “I Couldn’t Hear Nobody Pray,” the Fairfield Four have enlisted the likes of Elvis Costello, Pam Tillis and Garrision Keillor.
From the first song on this recording, one can identify a uniqueness to the group that transcends musical styles. There’s a strength and spirituality that brings you into their
fold. Not only is the music intriguing, but for one with little Fairfield Four knowledge, the story in the CD liner notes is enlightening. It wasn’t until after I started listening to the album that I read the liner notes. As I started to read the narrative, I became more and more intrigued, but I hadn’t noticed until well into reading the lengthy notes that they were written by Elvis Costello. Being a Costello fan for the last 15 years, I was intrigued by the fact that he would be contributing to a gospel recording. At the same time, his contribution made me realize the importance of this group.
All the tunes on this 11 track CD are biblically or spiritually based. Along with the gospel, the addition of the three mentioned artists on three different tracks adds some diversity to the already stylish quartet. Pam Tillis’ lead on the fifth track “Get Away Jordon,” infuses a jazzy flavor to the smooth backing of the quartet. The seventh track, “That Day is Done,” is a spiritual song written a few years ago by Elivis Costello and Paul McCartney during a time when Costello’s grandmother was ailing. Though it is initially marked by the piercing, raspy sound of a Costello ballad, the Four slowly elevate the song into an uplifting spiritual. Garrison Keillor assists on the last track, ‘Amazing Grace/Prodigal Son.” Beginning with the Fours slow, soft, peaceful rendition of the universal ‘Amazing Grace,” Keillor steps in with his recitation of “The Prodigal Son.” A fitting closing to this powerful and thoughtful CD.
- David Geller

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