Bill & Gloria Gaither and Their Homecoming Friends - South African Homecoming

Reviewed by Alastair McCollum

With an impressive selection of artists and an introductory endorsement by Archbishop Desmond Tutu this is a slickly professional DVD of worship filmed in front of a packed auditorium in Johannesburg. This 90 minute worship concert is packed with virtuoso vocal performances, perfect harmonies and exceptional musicians, and its high production values and faultless presentation make it a pleasure to watch. It's a joyful celebration of faith, and the music is joyful and filled with a spirit of worship. Contributions from luminaries of the gospel singing world such as Jessy Dixon, Joy Gardener, Woody Wright, Lauren Talley, Reggie Smith as well as a brilliant "honky tonk" piano section from the late Anthony Burger enhance the experience and offer a variety of vocal styles and ranges to the mix. The vox pop sections spliced in between the performances break up the evening and offer interesting reflections from members of the audience/congregation as to their own perspective and experience of the Gaither Vocal Band or distractions from the music, depending on your point of view. The one disappointing aspect of this DVD is that the blurb on the back of the case says that there is a taste of South African culture in these brief interviews with locals, but they seem much more like promotional spots for the Gaither Vocal Band than a genuine feel for the country. In fact the whole concert has much more of an American than a South African feel.