Reviewed by Tony Cummings

With such a truly vast back catalogue of albums and videos to choose from, the Southern gospel phenomenon that is Bill & Gloria's Homecoming Friends series easily source compilations and, in fact, has already spawned a series of collections Bill Gaither's 20 All-Time Favorite Homecoming Songs And Performances. But in case you missed those and are a newcomer to the series which mixes old school Southern gospel harmonisers, American hymnody, country music, black gospel and inspirational balladry to phenomenal sales success, then this set could be for you. 20 tracks are crammed in and from country gospel husband and wife team Jeff & Sheri Easter singing "Singing In My Soul" on the opener, to a massed rank of Homecoming Friends on the old hymn "On Jordan's Stormy Banks I Stand" on the closer, this is old time religion presented with considerable aplomb. Among the acts on this particular set are Heirloom, the late Vestal Goodman (shame her voice had deteriorated), Cynthia Clawson and another deceased Southern gospel giant, Jake Hess, complete with a narration by Gloria Gaither. The Gaithers have a formula and stick with it and no doubt this selection will find its way into quite a few homes.

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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