Holy Ghost Tent Revival To Release An Album Of Previously Unheard Recordings, "The Blood Beneath"

The slow rise of Holy Ghost Tent Revival has been filled with many ups and downs, members have come and gone, their sound has evolved and fans have cheered and jeered at the developing sound of these raucous performers from Greensboro.  While some applaud the natural progression of this former rag-time folk group, many have found themselves yearning for the bluegrass days of Patrick Leslie and Mike O'Malley.  Well yearn no longer, as Holy Ghost Tent Revival have announced the June 10 release of a The Blood Beneath, a "lost album" from 2010 that highlights the group's beloved beginnings.

Along with this announcement the group has released two of the fifteen tracks to be featured on The Blood Beneath, "Shadow Rag" and "Hopelessly Longing".  Both songs immediately take me back to the packed-out, sweat-filled shows of the group's past.  Stephen Murray and Patrick Leslie's smooth harmonies fill "Shadow Rag", packed tightly into a mix that's bursting with soaring horns and vivacious rhythms.  "Hopelessly Longing" begins with a slow build and Leslie's lone vocals, but erupts into the group's familiar call and response trade-off of vocal duties.

The album features an early recording of Sweat Like The Old Days' "Young Black Hair" and various other tracks from the early days of HGTR.  While the album won't be getting a physical release, it will serve as a digital glimpse into the past of a dynamic group of North Carolina musicians. Holy Ghost's unfiltered sense of self has always led to powerful songs capable of commanding listeners to lose themselves to the timeless twists and turns of their infectious sounds.

You can pre-order The Blood Beneath for $10 on the group's Bandcamp and receive a download of "Shadow Rag" and "Hopelessly Longing".  But for now you can also preview the tracks below: