Ricky married The Whites’ Sharon White way back in 1981, so it’s a little surprising that this is the first album-length collaboration between the two acts. In any event, Salt of the Earth has a seamless quality about it that suggests many years of harmonizing outside the studio. The song selection is dominated by old gospel favorites that play to the strengths of everyone involved—including Ricky’s backing band, Kentucky Thunder, which provides a sturdy foundation as Ricky, Sharon, Buck White and Cheryl White share tight harmonies and take turns singing lead.