Dave Cobb has become the go-to producer for country singers when they want to record a gospel album, and Gaither Music Group is always willing to get them to market under the Gaither Gospel Series banner. Country Chapel is their latest collaboration with Travis Tritt front and center. It’s the first all-gospel album for the multi-platinum selling singer.

Tritt offers several upbeat songs which serves to make his more serious fare like “In The Valley (He Restoreth My Soul)” and “Wayfaring Stranger” stand out. There are some songs you’d expect a Country singer making their first gospel record to automatically select, but there are some unexpected titles as well. “Uncloudy Day” is here along with “The Baptism Of Jesse Taylor” and the obligatory “Why Me,” but he also throws in “Nobody’s Fault But Mine.” The instrumentation as “Why Me” draws to a close is unexpectedly forceful, driving the question home in a tone unlike I’ve heard it in the past.

You’ll also hear some brand-new material. Tritt co-wrote two originals with Aaron Raitiere and a third on his own. “Like The Father Loves The Son,” “Mama Used To Pray For Me,” and “Little Country Chapel” hold their own beside the familiar material.

A common strike against already famous people who decide to record a gospel album later in their career is they know their fans will buy it anyway and only make half an effort. I’m pleased to be able to report that Country Chapel avoids this stereotype. It doesn’t sound phoned-in. Tritt and Cobb invested creative time and effort; and it’s evident.

1. “When God Dips His Love In My Heart” (Cleavant Derricks)
2. “Like The Father Loves His Son” (Travis Tritt)
3. “Mama Used To Pray For Me” (Travis Tritt and Aaron Raitiere)
4. “In the Valley (He Restoreth My Soul)” (Dottie Rambo)
5. “Uncloudy Day” (J.K. Alwood)
6. “Wayfaring Stranger” (Public Domain)
7. “Nobody’s Fault But Mine” (Blind Willie Johnson)
8. “The Baptism Of Jesse Taylor” (Dallas Frazier and Sanger D. Shafer)
9. “Why Me” (Kris Kristofferson)
10. “Little Country Chapel” (Travis Tritt and Aaron Raitiere)

Star Rating: 4 1/2 Stars (scale of 1-5)