Reviewed by Tom Lennie

The Gaithers have traversed the globe in pursuit of interesting new settings to record their latest live Southern Gospel venture. This time they remain within their American homeland, albeit venturing to its far north-western fringes. Recorded live on the deck of the cruiser ms Zaandain as it sailed along Alaska's Inside Passage, this finely-produced project is a generous twenty-song collection of old and new gospel tunes sung by a who's who of Gaither friends. These include The Isaacs, Stephen Hill, Reggie Smith and Larnelle Harris, not to mention, of course the Gaither Vocal Band. There's a number of new songs, including, "I've Got Joy" sung by Charlotte Ritchie, "Workin' on a Road" by Jeff & Sheri Easter, "Somebody's Coming" by Russ Taff, and "I See a Crimson Stream" delivered by Janet Paschal. The inspirational melody from Joy Gardner is perhaps one of the standouts, though I was also taken with David Phelps' naturally soaring vocals on "America The Beautiful" and the funky, swing time '"Better Day". Well up to the usual Homecoming Friends standard.

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.

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Cruise with the Gaither Homecoming family across Alaska’s Inside Passage in this unique concert experience board the MS Zaandam.

An outdoor concert, featuring gospel music’s finest voices, honours our Maker and celebrates some of his most marvellous handiwork.