''Sunday (The Gospel According to Iso)'' is the sixth studio album by Australia vocal duo

Vika and Linda Bull Vika and Linda, also known as Vika and Linda Bull, are an Australian vocal duo consisting of Vika Susan Bull (born 1966) and her younger sister, Linda Rose Bull . They came to prominence after singing backing vocals in Joe Camilleri's band The ...

and was released on 11 September 2020. At the AIR Awards of 2021, the album won Best Independent Blues and Roots Album or EP.

Background and release

When the first

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identi ...

lockdown began in

Melbourne Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a met ...

in March 2020, Vika and Linda Bull decided to sing one gospel song each Sunday morning for their followers on social media. The weekly performance became known as the "Sunday Sing Song". Vika said "It's kept our spirits up and we've had great feedback from people". Following the feedback, the sisters decided to record an album of gospel songs. Music director Cameron Bruce played piano from his home in

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and sent the files to Melbourne where the sisters added the vocals. In a statement, the Linda said "Gospel is a genre we know we can do faithfully. It doesn't feel laboured for us, it feels like a release and when we sing these songs, we feel better. And when that happens, hopefully people will feel the same way." Vika added "Gospel music has been a huge influence on the way we sing; We love the rawness and minimal instrumentation of the early recordings of the great vocal powerhouses like Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Aretha Franklin and

Mahalia Jackson Mahalia Jackson ( ; born Mahala Jackson; October 26, 1911 – January 27, 1972) was an American gospel singer, widely considered one of the most influential vocalists of the 20th century. With a career spanning 40 years, Jackson was integral to ...

." The tracklist originated from a list of 175 songs Paul Kelly sent Vika and Linda several years ago. During the lockdown they cycled through the songs and eventually settled on 12, plus an original, "Shallow Grave" written by Kasey Chambers and Harry Hookey.

Critical reception

Jeff Jenkins from ''Stack Magazine'' said "You don't have to be a believer to dig these tunes" saying, "There's something special about siblings singing together and the sisters' voices beautifully complement each other. Vika's vocal takes no prisoners, grabbing you by the scruff of the neck, whereas Linda's voice lures the listener with its subtler tone." Jenkins said "a standout is a three-way duet with Paul Kelly".

Track listing

Charts

Release history

References

{{Authority control 2020 albums Vika and Linda albums Bloodlines (record label) albums