Bill & Gloria Gaither and Their Homecoming Friends - Bill Gaither Presents A Gospel Bluegrass Homecoming Vol One

Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

Warning: if you buy this CD expecting authentic bluegrass you ain't a-gonna get it. This is soft pop/easy listening and, let it be said, sometimes cheesy too: witness “A Robin Built A Nest On Daddy's Grave”. Adding a fiddle and banjo does not make bluegrass, however well they are played. Comparisons could be made between own brand cola and the real thing. The nearest to authentic bluegrass, to this reviewer's ears, are Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys. Other songs move closer to country and on to pure American corn: listen to “Sunday Meetin’ Time” featuring Jess Hakes and Gloria Gaither for proof. On its own terms there is much to enjoy and the audience on this live recording seem to be having a great time. There are unexpected bursts of applause midway through several songs and I cannot work out why. Bill Gaither forgets his lines in “You Don't Love God If You Don't Love Your Neighbor”, featuring Rhonda Vincent and the Rage. Cue much amusement but this will not sound so funny after several plays and spoils a good song. Overall, enjoyable easy listening and certainly much more popular in the States than in Blighty.