Bill & Gloria Gaither and Their Homecoming Friends - Bill Gaither's 20 All-Time Favorite Homecoming Songs And Performances Vol 1

Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Compiled from the huge series of Homecoming Friends' CDs and albums which took Southern gospel out of its Southern States regional sales niche and made it a million selling Christian music commodity. But there is the rub, of course. In the process Southern gospel's simple male voice harmonies and country accompaniments were joined by choirs, lush inspirational orchestrations and enough overblown theatrics to make an American award ceremony seem understated. There are still great voices and great songs on offer here - with Russ Taff, Kim Hopper, Jessy Dixon, David Phelps all showing exemplary pipes while the songs, particularly when plucked from the hymnals, still retain their power to move the spirit. But too often the arrangements are either maudlin or overblown and only devotees to the whole Gaither phenomenon will care to explore this clumsily titled new reissue series.