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

Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

Fast-forward to track four: “Rivers Of Babylon” featuring Jeff and Sheri Easter. Probably the nicest rendition of this old favourite that your reviewer has ever heard but it was never, is not and never shall be a bluegrass song. The next track, “I Am Going To Heaven” featuring Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, is pure barbershop. Again it is superbly sung and, again, it just ain't bluegrass. So what do we get? Gospel favourites such as “Gospel Train” featuring Mountain Heart, hymns including “Rock Of Ages” sung by Cynthia Clawson, even country and western, notably “Rawhide”' with Ricky Skaggs, Ronnie McCoury, Doyle Lawson and Marty Stuart. All have a bluegrass twang but much of the time the definition is stretched past breaking point. If you want authentic bluegrass you will need to look elsewhere; if you enjoy Gaither gospel easy listening then you will be humming along to this on your way to the rodeo.