The album collects four live performances: two are in churches proper—Big CreekBaptist Church andAssembly of GodTabernacle—one is atSan Quentin's Garden Chapel inside the prison, and one atNashville's Union Rescue Mission. The music offers a mix of country gospel and traditional hymns with preachers introducing some of the songs.Bonnie Owens and theCarter Family are also featured. The album reached number 15 on theBillboard country albums chart.
Al Campbell ofAllMusic states "To his credit, Haggard had a greater need to shine light on the music that influenced him, more so than the need to release material that guaranteed a surefire hit... Highly recommended to traditional country fans."[1] Writing in 2013, Haggard biographer David Cantwell calls it "one of the gems of the country canon."[citation needed]
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