SPOTLIGHT CD/DVD REVIEWS: REUNION LIVE- GAITHER VOCAL BAND
SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS:
CD/DVD REVIEW:
REUNION LIVE
GAITHER VOCAL BAND
LABEL: GAITHER MUSIC GROUP
RELEASE DATE: OCTOBER 25, 2019
PRODUCER: BILL GAITHER, BARRY JENNINGS
GROUP MEMBERS: BILL GAITHER, REGGIE SMITH, WES HAMPTON, TODD SUTTLES, ADAM CRABB
ALUMNI: GARY MCSPADDEN, LEE YOUNG, JON MOHR, JIM MURRAY, LARNELLE HARRIS, RUSS TAFF, BUDDY MULLINS, MICHAEL ENGLISH, GUY PENROD, DAVID PHELPS, MARK LOWRY, AND MARSHALL HALL.
GUEST VOCALISTS: WESLEY PRITCHARD AND GENE MCDONALD
SONG LIST:
Alpha And Omega
Passin’ The Faith Along
He Touched Me
Give Up
The Baptism Of Jesse Taylor
Give It Away
Chain Breaker
Let Freedom Ring
O Love That Will Not Let Me Go
Nessun Dorma
These Are They
Amen
Sinner Saved By Grace
Make It Real/I Believe Help Thou My Unbelief (Medley)
In That Great Gettin’ Up Morning
The Trumpet Of Jesus
I Bowed On My Knees
Because He Lives
THOUGHTS:
The Gaither Vocal Band once again celebrates the rich legacy of songs and vocalists that have left an indelible mark on the Southern Gospel field. The current group along with many past members gathered together last year for a special concert event at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina to celebrate the legacy of the group. This CD and DVD set features eighteen GVB classics including “Alpha And Omega,” “Sinner Saved By Grace,” “Because He Lives,” and “Passin’ The Faith Along.” Several past and current members take the lead on these great classics. Original lead singer Gary McSpadden shines on the second verse of “He Touched Me.” Michael English delivers incredible performances on two of his most well known features “Give Up,” and the powerful “I Bowed On My Knees.” Guy Penrod shines on “The Baptism Of Jesse Taylor,” and “In That Great Gettin’ Up Morning.” Beloved baritone Mark Lowry delivers an especially moving performance on a beautiful medley of “Make It Real” and “I Believe Help My Unbelief.” While some songs are revisited from the 2009 Reunion DVDs, there are several new inclusions. Adam Crabb take the lead on the powerful anthem “Chain Breaker” made popular by the current lineup. Marshall Hall is featured on the classic crowd pleaser “Give It Away. Larnelle Harris delivers a rousing rendition of “Amen.” Russ Taff is featured on the Imperials classic “The Trumpet Of Jesus,” which looks to Heaven for the Second Coming. Also included is David Phelp’s version of the popular aria “Nessun Dorma.” I was absolutely blown away by Phelps’ vocals on this rendition. In my humble opinion, this was his best performance of this song yet. Phelps is of course also featured on “Let Freedom Ring.”
FINAL THOUGHTS:
THIS DVD/CD WAS A DELIGHT FROM START TO FINISH. GREAT COLLECTION OF SONGS AND SIMPLY BRILLIANT VOCAL PERFORMANCES. THE GVB IS HONESTLY ONE OF MY FAVORITE GROUPS OF ALL TIME. REUNION CONCERTS LIKE THIS ONE JUST RECONFIRM THAT FOR ME. THIS WAS SIMPLY STELLAR IN EVERY ASPECT. IF I HAD ONE CRITIQUE, I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO SEE SOME OF THE OTHER MEMBERS (JON MOHR, JIM MURRAY, AND BUDDY MULLINS) GET SOME FEATURES AS WELL. HOWEVER, THIS CONCERT VIDEO IS A WORTHY SEQUEL TO THE 2009 REUNION VIDEO DUO.
5 OUT OF 5 STARS! THIS IS MUST BUY FOR FANS OF THE GVB AND SOUTHERN GOSPEL MUSIC!
FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.gaither.com