How Great Thou Art

Zoomer Roberts: vocal
Tony Custer: piano
Recorded 4 October 2009 at Manhattan Presbyterian Church

Jesus Met the Woman at the Well

Recorded 20 September 2009 at Manhattan Presbyterian Church
Zoomer Roberts: vocal & harmonica
Buddy Winston: guitar
Valora Taylor: piano
Doug Neal: bass
Eric Hutson: drums

I'm Willing to Try

Recorded 20 September 2009 at Manhattan Presbyterian Church
Zoomer Roberts: vocal

I love the sound of unaccompanied Appalachian Mountain singing, and have always wanted to try my hand at it. "I'm Willing To Try," which I learned from a recording by Dr. Ralph Stanley, dovetails nicely with Isaiah 6:1-8, the Bible passage that was read on the day I was ordained as an Elder.

The Ninety and Nine

Recorded 20 September 2009 at Manhattan Presbyterian Church
Zoomer Roberts: vocal
Buddy Winston: guitar
Valora Taylor: piano
Doug Neal: bass
Eric Hutson: drums

He's Alive

Zoomer Roberts: vocal
Buddy Winston: guitar
Doug Neal: bass
Eric Hutson: drums
recorded 26 August 2007

This powerful number by Christian artist Don Francisco is the story of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ as told by Simon Peter. It was suggested to me by Dr. Theresa Byrd, my long-time duet partner at Manhattan Presbyterian Church. There was a signal dropout where the word "soldiers" should be, and I edited out the resulting silence. Hence the two missing beats.

Betty Hulson said: Zoomer, I loved this one! I haven't heard it in years, and hearing you sing it just blessed my soul!! Fletty B.
March 28, 2008 8:10 AM

I'm Just An Old Chunk of Coal

This was recorded at the Annual Hymn-Sing and Homecoming at Manhattan Presbyterian Church on August 26, 2007. The band are: Zoomer Roberts: vocal & harmonica, Buddy Winston: guitar, Doug Neal: bass, and Eric Hutson: drums. Despite the anomalies inherent in "line" recordings, it cooks.

The Old Rugged Cross

Recorded 9 November 2008 at Manhattan Presbyterian Church
Zoomer Roberts: vocal
Tony Custer: piano

Donna Pence said: Love this! Downloaded to my iPod. Great piano playing too. I was singing harmony here with you in Jersey City. November 9, 2008 6:11 PM

I Saw the Light

Recorded 12 October 2008 at Manhattan Presbyterian Church






left to right:
Doug Neal
Zoomer Roberts
Buddy Winston
Eric Hutson







(Photo: Pat Olchefski-Winston)

Life's Railway to Heaven

Recorded 12 October 2008 at Manhattan Presbyterian Church
Zoomer Roberts: harmonica & vocal
Buddy Winston: guitar
Doug Neal: bass
Eric Hutson: drums
Valora Taylor: piano

I Am a Pilgrim

Recorded 12 October 2008 at Manhattan Presbyterian Church
Zoomer Roberts: harmonica & vocal
Buddy Winston: guitar
Doug Neal: bass
Eric Hutson: drums
Valora Taylor: piano

What On Earth Will You Do (For Heaven's Sake)

Recorded 12 October 2008 at Manhattan Presbyterian Church
Zoomer Roberts: harmonica & vocal
Buddy Winston: guitar
Doug Neal: bass
Eric Hutson: drums

Gospel Boogie (A Wonderful Time Up There)

Zoomer Roberts: vocal
Buddy Winston: guitar
recorded 17 March 2002 at Desert View United Church of Christ

Here's another song with no place to breathe, swallow, or even think. I first heard this almost fifty years ago by a group called the Nash Family Trio. Much later, I heard an earlier version by the Pilgrim Travelers on the Specialty label. When I decided to try it, I incorporated elements of both of those renditions. This was taped directly from a public address system that was set up for speaking. I "ate the mic" and peaked the meters, which caused some distortion. That's too bad, because this was one of the few times I got all the way through it without running out of gas.