Bill & Gloria Gaither and Their Homecoming Friends - Bill Gaither Remembers Old Friends

Reviewed by Dave Brassington

This is a retrospective of Southern gospel artists who have now passed away. This poignant CD has three tracks each from Hovie Lister, James Blackwood, Bill's brother Danny Gaither, Wally Varner, J D Sumner, Glen Payne and Anthony Burger. Hovie was a stalwart of Southern gospel groups in the '30s and '40s, and James was a founder member of the Blackwood Brothers and brother Danny made up the original Gaither Trio together with Bill and his wife Gloria. I found his version of "O Love That Will Not Let Me Go" very moving. There are two great renditions by J D of "I Just Steal Away And Pray" and the catchy "Dig A Little Deeper In God's Love", both showcasing the late star's extraordinary, deep voice. Anthony Burger was a stalwart of Gaither music, being an exceptionally fine piano player who tragically died at an early age only recently and on his tracks shows plenty of flamboyant technique. All in all, a pleasant CD.