A SPECIAL TWO DVD REVIEW: SOMETIMES IT TAKES A MOUNTAIN & HAPPY RHYTHM- GAITHER VOCAL BAND
DVD REVIEWS
SOMETIMES IT TAKES A MOUNTAIN
HAPPY RHYTHM
GAITHER VOCAL BAND
SOMETIMES IT TAKES A MOUNTAIN SONG LIST:
RESURRECTION
YOU BROUGHT US OUT
JESUS GAVE ME WATER
WHEN FEAR COMES KNOCKING
PRAISES
PEACE IN THE VALLEY
DO UNTO OTHERS- FEATURING THE NELONS
AMAZING GRACE
HEAVEN CAME DOWN
I KNOW WHO HOLDS TOMORROW- FEATURING THE ISAACS
SOMETIMES IT TAKES A MOUNTAIN
THERE’S ALWAYS A PLACE AT THE TABLE
BUILDING BRIDGES- FEATURING CHARLOTTE RITCHIE
I DON’T WANT TO GET ADJUSTED- FEATURING GOODMAN REVIVAL
LET IT START IN ME
HAPPY RHYTHM SONG LIST:
LOVE IS LIKE A RIVER
REDEEMED
‘TIL THE STORM PASSES BY
HAPPY RHYTHM
THAT’S WHEN THE ANGELS REJOICE
SHUT DE DO- FEATURING THE MARTINS
LONELY MILE
GET ON BOARD- FEATURING THE ISAACS
JESUS AND JOHN WAYNE
HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING- FEATURING BUDDY GREENE
JESUS IS A ROCK- FEATURING BUDDY GREENE
WINDS OF THIS WORLD
SOW MERCY
WRITTEN IN RED
WE ARE COMING HOME AT LAST
I SURRENDER ALL
THE NIGHT BEFORE EASTER
INITIAL THOUGHTS AND DESCRIPTION:
After watching these videos, I am reminded of my thoughts about the studio recording Sometimes It Takes A Mountain which were: “Moving Messages. Powerful, intricate harmonies, Soaring tenors, soulful lead, and booming bass. What more could you ask for in a recording. This record solidifies once again the five member GVB as being one of Gaither's best decisions in his career in my opinion. Each member blends together to form an incredible vocal unit that continues to produce quality recordings. The GVB has been close to my heart for several years now and this record joins the vast catalogue of my favorites.” I would like to add to this by saying: THE VIDEOS ARE EVEN BETTER THAN THE CD!!!! These DVDs were among my most anticipated projects for this year and they did not disappoint. Both videos contain a mix of songs from many of the Gaither Vocal Band’s most recent projects including: Lovin’ Life, Pure And Simple, and of course Sometimes It Takes A Mountain. Also included on these amazing projects are guest performance by fellow Homecoming artists Buddy Greene, Charlotte Ritchie, The Nelons, The Martins, The Isaacs, and Goodman Revival. In addition, the videos include fun group story moments and other footage.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
Given that I could go on and on about these videos analyzing each track, I will try to be brief (no promises hahaha) and focus on some of the most memorable moments from each DVD concert experience.
From Sometimes It Takes A Mountain:
First, Todd Suttles has fit in nicely with the group and these videos showcase this along with his energy and passion for this music. Suttles shines on the classic Gospel standard “Peace In The Valley” giving an emotional performance that received a standing ovation from the crowd of fans and friends. I believe that this will soon become his signature song with the group. I was deeply moved by his performance and love the tenderness of his voice and the passion with which he delivers a lyric. The new baritone also has stellar features on songs throughout the video including “Amazing Grace,” “Resurrection,” “You Brought Us Out,” and “Let It Start In Me.” Suttles takes the first verse of this powerful anthem which closes out the DVD. Bill asks him to sing his verse again during the reprise.
Tenors David Phelps and Wes Hampton continue to impress and amaze me with their talent. Phelps steps out on a jazzy version of the hymn “Heaven Came Down” which he arranged himself. The three octave tenor is also featured on “Let It Start In Me” and hits some incredible high notes. Wes Hampton is featured throughout the video taking the lead on several songs including: “Jesus Gave Me Water,” “Praises,” “Let It Start In Me,” and a unique version of “There’s Always A Place At The Table.” In the fun group footage, the guys go to a restaurant in Colombia, Indiana called Marcy Jo’s for some coffee and their signature cinnamon rolls. During their visit there, the Phelps, Hampton, and Adam Crabb sing a few chourses of the powerful song which reminds us that God’s love is inclusive and for everyone. There is always a place at the Lord’s Table for you.
Speaking of Crabb, the soulful lead singer is featured on several songs on this video including the title track “Sometimes It Takes A Mountain.” Crabb delivers the powerful lyric beautifully and sings with great emotion. He is also takes the lead on the upbeat “When He Comes Knocking” which was written by his father Gerald.
The guest performances on this video were simply outstanding. I was deeply moved by the stirring rendition of “I Know Who Holds Tomorrow” sung by beloved bluegrass family The Isaacs. In addition, I was blown away by the groovy “Do Unto Others” by The Nelons and The Goodman Revival’s performance of an old Goodman classic. Charlotte Ritchie’s performance of “Building Bridges” was also a highlight.
From Happy Rhythm:
This video, like its counterpart, is incredible. I honestly cannot narrow down (as you can probably tell by now) the highlights. On this project, Todd Suttles shows off his range by singing bass on the classic Mosie Lister song and title track “Happy Rhythm” which was encored several times in typical Gaither fashion. He also shines on “We Are Coming Home At Last” and the powerful Donnie Sumner song “The Night Before Easter.” However, I was left speechless by his rendition of “Sow Mercy.” This song was included on the GVB’s 2012 release Pure And Simple and featured beloved baritone Mark Lowry and the verses. This is such a powerful and moving lyric: “Sow mercy, sow grace, so kindness, so faith/ Words are like water sprinkled with love/ You can harvest all your heart’s been dreaming of/ sow mercy.” This song reminds us: we reap what we sow and our words have great affect on others. Suttles was moved to tears singing this incredible song. I was moved to tears as well thinking of my grandmother and her wisdom while listening to the words of the song which I had before. It had been a rough week when I received these videos as my grandma had been recovering from hip surgery and was in pain. Listening to this song again helped me through a difficult time for me and my family. Performances and songs like this are the reasons I am a fan of this music and the Gaither Vocal Band.
The rest of the group has their share of features on this video as well. David Phelps gives an incredible performance of the worshipful ballad “Written In Red”; Wes Hampton belts out his powerful solo on the Mosie Lister standard “Til The Storm Passes By”; and Adam Crabb lets loose on the upbeat “Winds Of This World” and gets a chance to show his harmonica talents. The group also has a little fun on the GVB classic “That’s When The Angels Rejoice” as a quartet without Bill. Gaither jokingly introduced the song by calling them the “Gaitherless” Vocal Band and telling the story of the recording of the song.
The guest performances on this video were amazing on this video as well. The Martins showed off their talent on an a cappella song called “Shut De Do” from the album for which they were recently Grammy nominated. Gaither provided some comedic moments asking to add a bass part to it. The Isaacs kick it up a notch with their energetic bluegrass stylings on “Get On Board” and Buddy Greene shines on two incredible songs which showcase his amazing talent.
OVERALL THOUGHTS:
These videos remind me why I am a fan of The Gaither Vocal Band: the true and powerful message of the Gospel sung by some of the greatest vocalist of all time, in my opinion. These videos contain a great collection of songs from their repertoire and some incredible guest performances from several beloved Gaither Homecoming artists. I urge you all to go out a purchase these unbelievable DVDs each packed with 90 minutes of great performances, comedy, and group interviews. The GVB keeps getting better and better with every release and this is no exception!!
Each video gets 5 stars!!
To purchase these new Gaither Vocal Band projects, visit http://store.gaither.com/DVDGVBSMHR.item