Bill & Gloria Gaither and Their Homecoming Friends - Amazing Grace (Hymns)

Reviewed by Alastair McCollum

Another gathering of leading figures in Southern gospel music (not to mention pop, country and gospel), this time to share some of the most popular hymns of the Church. Not all of these hymns will be well known outside of the US, but the consummate musicianship and polished performances will appeal to all fans of vocal gospel music. This is a recording of 200 singers with solosists including Brenda Lee, Russ Taff, The Booth Brothers, Lynda Randall and Jessy Dixon. There is no live audience yet the passion and soul of live performance still shines. The accompaniments range from the simplicity of an accordion and acoustic guitar setting of "Come, Thou Fount Of Every Blessing" to some impeccable Barbershop harmonies and on to a full orchestral rendition of the opening track "Amazing Grace". As with any Gaither recording there is no way to fault the seamless production or the quality of the arrangements, the quality of the singing or the technical expertise - but on top of this it is obvious that the singers are enjoying the whole thing tremendously. On the DVD there are also between the hymns short interviews with various members of the entourage which share something of the purpose and power of our hymnody to build faith and sustain us in troubled times. In short, I doubt anyone does this kind of thing better than the Gaither Homecoming crew.