1. I've Got That Old Time Religion In My Heart
2. Blessed Assurance
3. Fill My Way With Love
4. Hide Thou Me
5. The Old Gospel Ship
6. Sweet Hour of Prayer
7. That Glad Reunion Day
8. Leaning On The Everlasting Arms
9. He Reached Down
10. Near The Cross
11. I Never Shall Forget The Day
12. I Don't Want To Get Adjusted
13. God Walks The Dark Hills
Amazon.com
Although there's only one new original on Iris DeMent's first release in eight years, the music throughout ranks with the most personal she has made. DeMent's quavering vocals invest this collection of traditional spirituals with an unwavering conviction. "This is my story," she sings on "Blessed Assurance," written more than 130 years ago. "This is my song." In her liner notes, the Arkansas-raised artist explains how these were the first songs she remembers hearing, and that this music has always provided comfort during hard times, a comfort that isn't necessarily (or at least not narrowly) religious. On "Sweet Hour of Prayer" and "God Walks the Dark Hills," DeMent accompanies herself on stately solo piano, and the emotion is as pure as the arrangement is unadorned. On other tracks, DeMent and co-producer Jim Rooney enlist homespun support from kindred spirits such as guitarists Mark Howard and Bo Ramsey and a call-and-response chorus of harmonizers including Stuart Duncan. The self-penned composition, "He Reached Down," is a folkish recasting of the Biblical "Good Samaritan" parable. Even listeners who don't share the faith expressed in these songs will have trouble resisting the unflinching intimacy of the performances. --Don McLeese
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Lifeline
- Audio CD: 0 pages (2004-11-02)
- Publisher: Flariella Records
- Label: Flariella Records
- Studio: Flariella Records
- Average Customer Review:
 based on 29 reviews
- Sales Rank in Music: #27879
Avg. Customer Review:
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Book 2008-10-06
Comment: Great condition and packaged well, received in a very short period of time, excellent service, loved the cd.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: She only gets better 2008-02-13
Comment: I reached into my glove compartment a few weeks ago and came up with Iris Dement's "My Life" tape. I had gotten it about a dozen years earlier and had played it over and over until I had finally had enough. When I played it again,it sounded so good that I went to Amazon to see what else she had out. I wanted her latest album because I wanted to hear how her voice had matured. It's all Gospel music so I was a bit wary since I don't particularly like it. I listened to a few excerpts and bought it. Like "My Life", I have played it over and over again. Her voice has gotten even better, much better. And the Gospel songs are very county/western in style. I found some of the lyrics on "My Life" to be a bit mawkish and self conscious. There's none of that on this album. Most of the songs are traditional Gospel songs. The subject matter is much bigger than discontents of an Idaho wife. With the voice, the musical style, and the subject matter, you can't go wrong!
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: Iris DeMent Lifeline 2007-10-02
Comment: We think it is a great C.D. and we have come to expect to be happy with Iris's music,we realy enjoyed the song that she wrote.
0 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Let the beauty of your natural voice carry your albums. 2006-12-10
Comment: I love Iris DeMent, but in this album, perhaps because she felt it was the best vocal style for gospel, Iris uses a voice that is too forced. She comes across sounding hollow, with a put-on voice that someone would use when trying to sound down home. I would sing this way if I were doing a poor caricature of gospel folk singers. Since Iris already has a pure voice perfect for her music, she really shouldn't have gone this unnecessary step.
After two songs, I nearly said out loud, "Stop it, Iris."
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: LIfeline 2006-08-30
Comment: I sent this to my sister during the last days of her fight against breast cancer. She had mentioned how old time hymns "The ones you know the words to" brought her a lot of comfort.
Iris Dement outdid herself on this one. She left the music scene for awhile and I have missed her music. Maybe a little more upbeat next time out Iris.
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Lifeline
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