Paul’s new album, Don’t Let the Devil Ride, collects soulful songs originally cut by black southern gospel groups, and features guests Blind Boys of Alabama, the McCrary Sisters, the Preservation Hall Jazz Horns, and Bonnie Bishop. The new release marks Thorn’s first time recording gospel music, after a dozen albums in roots-rock mode and his creation of a body of strikingly original songs. In his own songwriting, Thorn often addresses the foibles of human relationships, although he doesn’t favor the sacred over the profane.