CD REVIEW: CHRISTMAS COLLECTION- THE GAITHER VOCAL BAND

SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS

CD REVIEW

CHRISTMAS COLLECTION- THE GAITHER VOCAL BAND

RELEASE DATE: OCTOBER 9, 2015

PRODUCERS: BILL GAITHER, BEN ISAACS, AND DAVID PHELPS

LABEL: GAITHER MUSIC GROUP

CURRENT GVB MEMBERS: BILL GAITHER, WES HAMPTON, DAVID PHELPS, ADAM CRABB, AND TODD SUTTLES

SONG LIST:

1. Changed By A Baby Boy (ft. Todd Suttles, David Phelps, Wes Hampton, Adam Crabb, Bill Gaither)

2. The Christmas Song (ft. David Phelps, Mark Lowry, Guy Penrod, Bill Gaither)

3. O Little Town Of Bethlehem (ft. Wes Hampton, Guy Penrod, Marshall Hall, Bill Gaither)

4. Glorious Impossible (ft. Adam Crabb, David Phelps, Wes Hampton, Todd Suttles, Bill Gaither)

5. Little Drummer Boy (ft. Todd Suttles, David Phelps, Wes Hampton, Adam Crabb, Bill Gaither)

6. I’ll Be Home For Christmas (ft. Wes Hampton, Guy Penrod, Marshall Hall, Bill Gaither)

7. Mary, Did You Know? (ft. Mark Lowry, Michael English, David Phelps, Wes Hampton, Bill Gaither)

8. Reaching (ft. Adam Crabb, David Phelps, Wes Hampton, Todd Suttles, Bill Gaither)

9. Carol Medley (ft. Wes Hampton, Guy Penrod, Marshall Hall, Bill Gaither)

10. Hand Of Sweet Release (ft. Adam Crabb, David Phelps, Wes Hampton, Todd Suttles, Bill Gaither)

11. Go Tell It On The Mountain (ft. David Phelps, Wes Hampton, Adam Crabb, Todd Suttles, Bill Gaither)

12. O Holy Night (LIVE) (ft. David Phelps)

THOUGHTS:

Christmas comes a little early this year on October 9th with this collection of new and old songs from the Gaither Vocal Band. Members past and present can be heard on this special Christmas collection. Mark Lowry and Michael English appear on Lowry’s classic “Mary Did You Know?” which was recorded live at the Reunited/Better Day videotaping in 2009. Lowry also appears on “The Christmas Song” which original was released on the Still The Greatest Story Ever Told album in 1998. This recording also includes songs 2008’s Christmas Gaither Vocal Band Style such as “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” “Carol Medley,” and “O Little Town Of Bethlehem.” These selections feature the lineup of Guy Penrod, Marshall Hall, Wes Hampton, and Bill Gaither. Lastly, the final re-released track is the live cut of “O Holy Night” featuring David Phelps.

There are six brand new tracks on this CD which all feature the current lineup of the Gaither Vocal Band. The first of which is the island infused “Changed By A Baby Boy” which features Todd Suttles and Adam Crabb on the verses. This is an incredible arrangement that is quite different from the one sung by Ernie Haase & Signature Sound. The group takes listeners to church on the breakdown portion of the song. Next, the quintet re-records the recent Gaither classic “Glorious Impossible,” the arrangement of which is not drastically different than the original recording. Adam Crabb also takes the lead on two other re-recorded tracks: “Reaching” and “Hand Of Sweet Release.” Crabb does justice to Penrod’s original vocals yet puts his own stamp on the songs. Suttles, Crabb, and David Phelps each get featured solos on an incredible version of “The Little Drummer Boy.” This version clearly has the touch of Phelps’s amazing vocal and musical arrangement on it. Lastly, the group also puts their own spin on the classic “Go Tell It On The Mountain” which features Todd Suttles in peak vocal form.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

GO GET THIS CD ASAP!! YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED. This is a collection of the very best of Gaither’s Christmas music in my opinion! Each is absolutely incredible in terms of vocal performance and musical arrangement. 5 out of 5 stars!! Order this CD at www.gaither.com