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2018 release. On Gone Away With A Friend, Frank Newsome sings a more than four-century-long American tradition into the present. His arresting style-the ancient lined-out hymn singing of the Old Regular Baptists from the borderlands of Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia-is a direct sonic ancestor to old-time, bluegrass, and gospel. Bluegrass master Ralph Stanley grew up hearing this once-common style; in fact, he and Newsome were good friends and spent time singing together. Since 1972, Newsome has preached at the Little David Church in Haysi, VA, singing these songs from what is the oldest, English-language religious music tradition passed down orally in America. This recording, captured over one evening at Newsome's church in 2006, features nine old songs and two contemporary numbers, all sung in the traditional, unaccompanied style. To listen closely to Newsome's singing on this sparse, captivating album is to dip your toe into the placid headwaters of the great stream of American music.