The next two hits by thr Kingston Trio were songs of faith written by up-and-coming singer-songsmith Billy Edd Wheeler. “Reverend Mr. Black,” with a “turn the other cheek” message (cowritten with Jed Peters), borrowed the chorus from “Lonesome Valley,” popularized by the Carter Family in 1931. The Trio’s rendition hit the top ten in May ’63. “Desert Pete” delivered a plea of “have faith in thy fellow man” centered around a seemingly-dry well in the middle of a bone-dry desert. The songs were interpreted with such colorful skill by Shane, Reynolds and Stewart as to conjure mini-western movies in the mind.
Songs with Banjo from Harold Hagler
