Reviewed by Dave Brassington

I must admit that having watched many Gaither music DVDs, I was beginning to wonder whether there was anything else they could come up with that would be fresh and original? So I was completely taken aback by having watched this recording filmed at the Billy Graham Centre in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was obviously a labour of love, with one of the largest groups of singers and musicians ever assembled for a Gaither recording. The idea behind it was to combine an old style tent crusade like one which Billy Graham would have started his amazing ministry in the late 1940s, with an excuse to reminisce in the Billy Graham Centre, especially the historic library. One thing that immediately strikes you about the concert is that the musical accompaniment is quite country, with the addition of dobro and fiddle obviously aimed at giving it a very homely feel. It starts with a very lively rendition of "Life's Railway To Heaven" and soon gets into one of its highlights when Bill Gaither introduces his great friend, country singer Larry Gatlin, before The Gatlin Brothers and The Gaither Vocal Band combine on "Greatly Blessed, Highly Favoured" to the tune of Larry's old country hit "All The Gold In California". Another simply outstanding performance is when Jimmy Fortune sings "The Other Side Of The Cross", accompanied by the bluegrass duo Dailey & Vincent. Also included are some very moving interviews with Cliff Barrows, Bev Shea (now 102 years young) and Billy Graham himself. There are some very moving musical tributes and interviews with surviving members of the families of Stuart Hamblen and Dotty Rambo where everybody naturally joins in on tunes associated with these two late great composers. I really enjoyed The Chuck Wagon Gang on "When He Calls, I'll Fly Away", The Collingsworth Family "Blood Of Jesus" and Guy Penrod who concludes the whole concert brilliantly with "Then Came The Morning". But for me the outstanding track is "Sometimes I Cry" performed by Jason Crabb, a song written by his father which totally knocked me out with its honesty. To sum up, this is a magnificent release and with a running time of nearly two hours, it is good value for money. Highly recommended.
10 squares David Brassington

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.

Hosted by Bill and Gloria Gaither, The Old Rugged Cross was filmed on the magnificent grounds of the Billy Graham Library.

This Homecoming musical event honours the spirit and music of the old-fashioned tent revivals of the 1950s and 1960s.

Complete with sawdust floors and a simple canvas canopy overhead, more than 140 of gospel music’s most beloved artists recapture this time-honoured tradition that has impacted countless lives for eternity.