Connie Smith Sings Great Sacred Songs

Connie Smith Sings Great Sacred Songs is the fourth studio album by American country music artist, Connie Smith. The album was released in June 1966 on RCA Victor Records and was produced by Bob Ferguson. This album was Connie Smith's first gospel recording and would set the trend for a series of gospel releases she would issue in the next decade.

Connie Smith Sings Great Sacred Songs
Studio album by Connie Smith
Released	June 1966
Recorded	February 24, 1966 – February 28, 1966
Genre	Country, gospel
Length	29:06
Label	RCA Victor
Producer	Bob Ferguson
Connie Smith chronology
Miss Smith Goes to Nashville (1966) Connie Smith Sings Great Sacred Songs (1966) Born to Sing (1966)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]

Background

Like previous country music recordings, Connie Smith Sings Great Sacred Songs consisted of twelve tracks. Many of the album's songs were cover versions, including "In the Garden," "Just a Closer Walk with Thee," Jimmie Davis's "I Wouldn't Take Anything from My Journey Now," and Martha Carson's "Satisfied." The album also included a song written by Smith's producer, Bob Ferguson titled, "Wings of a Dove." The album itself was released on a 12-inch vinyl LP record, with six tracks on each side of the record. The album was reviewed by Allmusic, which gave the release four out of five stars, however an official review was not provided.[2]

Upon the album's release, Connie Smith Sings Great Sacred Songs entered the Billboard Magazine charts, peaking at #19 on their Top Country Albums chart, becoming Smith's first LP not to reach the Top 10.[3]

Track listing

Side one

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Satisfied"	Martha Carson	2:12
2.	"When God Dips His Love in My Heart"	Cleavant Derricks, W.S. Stevenson	2:19
3.	"Farther Along"	Jesse R. Baxter, W.B. Stevens	2:45
4.	"Where Could I Go But to the Lord"	James B. Coats	2:17
5.	"I Wouldn't Take Nothing from My Journey Now"	Jimmie Davis, Charles R. Goodman	1:51
6.	"I Saw a Man"	Arthur Q. Smith	2:42

Side two

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Wayfaring Pilgrim"	traditional	3:19
2.	"In the Garden"	Robert Hebble, Austin C. Miles	2:41
3.	"Wings of a Dove"	Bob Ferguson	1:52
4.	"Keep on Holding to Those Nail Scarred Hands"	Henry Slaughter	2:21
5.	"He Set Me Free"	Albert E. Brumley	2:09
6.	"Just a Closer Walk with Thee"	traditional	2:38

Personnel

• Connie Smith - lead vocals
• Willie Ackerman – drums
• Anita Carter – background vocals
• Ray Edenton – guitar
• Dolores Edgin – background vocals
• Jake Hess – background vocals
• Roy Huskey – bass
• Millie Kirkham – background vocals
• Jimmy Lance – guitar
• Gary McSpadden – background vocals
• Leonard Miller – drums
• Armond Morales – background vocals
• Weldon Myrick – steel guitar
• Charles Nelsen – background vocals
• Dean Porter – guitar
• Hargus "Pig" Robbins – piano
• Henry Slaughter – harpsichord
• Jerry Smith – organ, vibes
• Gordon Stokey – background vocals
• Pete Wade – guitar
• Raymond Walker – background vocals

Sales chart positions

Albums

Chart (1966)	Peak position
U.S. Top Country Albums	19

References

1. Allmusic review
2. "Connie Smith Sings Great Sacred Songs". allmusic. Retrieved 2009-08-09.
3. "Charts & Awards". allmusic. Retrieved 2009-08-09.