Can they get an AMEN?

The Sacred Shakers testify to gospel's enduring appeal

Members of the Sacred Shakers, from left: Greg Glassman, Eilen Jewell, Eric Royer, Jason Beek, Dan Fran (seated), Daniel Kellar, Jerry Miller, and Johnny Sciascia. (David Kamerman/Globe Staff)

WATERTOWN - Despite the soaring temperature inside her charming apartment, Eilen Jewell is baking. The old-time-inspired singer-songwriter has earned her domestic downtime: Her third album, last year's "Letters From Sinners & Strangers," put the Eilen Jewell Band on the road constantly.

She's making the most of a recent Saturday afternoon baking session before she launches another album, this time for a side project called the Sacred Shakers. The supergroup, which includes her boyfriend Jason Beek on drums (he also plays in the Eilen Jewell Band), will release its self-titled debut Aug. 19 on Signature Sounds.

"It's what I do when I come home to unwind. Even in this heat," says Jewell. "You miss those little things from home. Like just doing your own dishes in your own kitchen or eating at your own kitchen table."

"I miss cooking a whole lot," says Beek, who's sitting beside her.

"He's an excellent cook," attests Jewell, 29, who grew up in Boise, Idaho, and moved to Boston via Great Barrington in 2003.

"When you quit your full-time job to be a musician, you better learn how to cook. There's no more meals out all the time," says Beek, who hails from Lowell.

It was a meal that initiated the Sacred Shakers in 2005 - brunch, to be precise. The Eilen Jewell Band had solidified with Jerry Miller on electric and steel guitars and Johnny Sciascia on upright bass. Back then, touring wasn't so hectic, so Beek - who also plays in local roots band Whoa!Man!Jesus! and co-DJs the "Primitive Sounds" night at River Gods every Wednesday - decided to scratch another Americana itch. He started hosting a weekly Sunday country-gospel brunch at the Burren in Davis Square.

"People think of gospel from the R&B and soul angle. There wasn't anybody doing gospel with a country or blues aspect," Beek, 30, explains. At first, it was just the Eilen Jewell Band performing with guest musicians. Some, such as fiddler Daniel Kellar, banjo player Eric Royer, and guitarists Greg Glassman and Daniel Fram, became regulars and formed the definitive eight-piece lineup that recorded the album.

Despite so many distinctive musicians on board, it isn't the instrumentalists who define the group's debut. Rather, it's a vocal record, with no particular leader as five singers alternate leads and harmonize on mostly traditional songs, with a few added nuggets such as George Jones's "Taggin' Along With Jesus" and Hank Williams's "Ready to Go Home."

As Jewell's career took off last year, the musical brunch was abandoned, leaving the Shakers to perform occasional nighttime gigs at the Burren, the Plough & Stars, or Precinct (formerly Toast Lounge), where the band performs Thursday. At a Shakers show in Whately last summer, Jim Olsen, owner of the indie-folk label Signature Sounds, which released "Sinners & Strangers," saw the band.

"I was just knocked out by it," Olsen recalls. "It's such an original mix of music. I don't think they even realize it themselves. I don't hear that sort of mixture of country stylings and gospel very often. Their arrangements are just terrific, too, very original. It just had this great spirit about it."

"Afterward, Jim said, 'Anytime you want to record that band, let me know,' " remembers Beek. Was he about to refuse? "That's crazy talk," he exclaims. "It is work, it is an effort, but I'm glad this is documented, it's an important project. Anyone who's a roots-music fan would appreciate all the different people playing."

Instead of promoting a third CD in as many years, wouldn't Jewell and Beek have preferred some downtime this summer?

"That definitely crossed our minds," Jewell says with a huge laugh. "I talk about my albums as being my children. With the Shakers, it was like, 'We can't have another kid, we need to make ends meet.' But it's like we're this poor family, but there's love and we'll get by."

A labor of love and a sense of purpose define this homespun project, which, despite gospel's roots, has no particular religious affiliation.

"Whatever denomination, whether [you're] atheist, religious, or whatever, there's something about gospel music that's compelling," says Jewell. "Especially these older songs. Hank Williams singing gospel - how can you go wrong?"

Shakers gigs seem destined to be a rare treat. Guitarist Fram moved to Mississippi and will miss the upcoming shows; the other members are busy musicians, so gathering them for a return to regular brunch sessions is unlikely.

"Maybe we could do a 'for one month only' thing," muses Beek wistfully.

But then Jewell points out, "It's all gone way beyond brunch now."