Bill & Gloria Gaither & Their Homecoming Friends - Bill Gaither Presents A Gospel Bluegrass Homecoming Vol 2
STYLE: Southern Gospel RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 10103-DVD59 LABEL: Gaither Music Group SHDVD4493 FORMAT: DVD Music video RRP: £11.99
Reviewed by Dave Brassington
This is the second of two ground breaking bluegrass DVDs that Bill Gaither produced with a veritable 'who's who' of Christian bluegrass and country artists, interspersed with his regulars from many of his previous 'Homecoming' albums, namely Jeff and Sheri Easter, and The Isaacs. Also present is the late Vestal Goodman who gives a rousing rendition of "Jesus, Hold My Hand". The DVD kicks off with the great Ricky Skaggs on "I'm Ready To Go" and then the old Louvin Brothers song "Are You Afraid To Die?". A big advantage of the DVD over the music CD is that you get some nice linkage between Bill Gaither, Jeff Easter and Marty Stuart explaining the backgrounds of some of the artists and their Christian beliefs. There is truly not a duff track on this DVD, the highlights for me being the two Ralph Stanley songs, the classic "Rank Strangers To Me" and "Gloryland" which is intensely moving and not on the music album. I also particularly enjoyed "I Am Going To Heaven" from Doyle Lawson And Quicksilver done in East Tennessee a capella style. Other stand out tracks are "Clinging To A Saving Hand" by Connie Smith, and Cynthia Clawson's very intense and prophetic "Hear The Voice Of My Beloved". The bonus footage with Marty Stuart conducting Bill Gaither around the original birthplace of AP Carter is especially memorable for meeting both Joe and Jeanette Carter, and I especially enjoyed Marty Stuart and his group with their brilliant version of "Peace In The Valley" sung outside AP's birthplace. Wonderful stuff.
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.
Product Description
Bill Gaither and bluegrass expert Marty Stuart trace the history of mountain and country music with the help of the Homecoming Friends and legendary artists from the bluegrass field. Joining the Isaacs, the Lewis Family, the Easters and other Homecoming Friends are Ralph Stanley, Ricky Skaggs, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Marty Raybon, Del McCoury and others in the first ever Bluegrass Homecoming project!