Bill & Gloria Gaither - Something Beautiful: Medleys From a Half-Century of Songs

Reviewed by Stephen Luff

Do you remember the Maranatha! Singers' 'Praise Series' of the '70s and '80s? If you still have them, dust them down and save some money because this CD is made up of 20 medleys (including over 60 songs) of very similar material. I strongly disagree with what the cover describes as "a one of a kind recording." The "different" idea of this two CD set is it supports Gloria Gaither's book "stories behind the songs" based around their music of the last four decades. As a recording it offers highly polished, well produced, but soon forgotten, background music. The only thing that catches your attention is some great vocal performances, such as Amy Rose on "It Won't Rain Always", and "Peace Be Still" featuring Charlotte Richie and Stephen Hill. If Southern gospel medleys of seemingly the entire Bill & Gloria Gaither songbook are just what you are looking for, then investigate. But often this comes across more as a promotional tool to plug a book than a recording of God-glorifying worship.