SPOTLIGHT CD REVIEW: SHINE: THE DARKER LIGHT THE BRIGHTER THE LIGHT-GAITHER VOCAL BAND
SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS:
CD REVIEW:
SHINE: THE DARKER THE NIGHT THE BRIGHTER THE LIGHT
GAITHER VOCAL BAND
LABEL: GAITHER MUSIC GROUP
RELEASE DATE: AUGUST 11, 2023
GROUP MEMBERS: BILL GAITHER (BASS/BARITONE), TODD SUTTLES (BARITONE/BASS), ADAM CRABB (LEAD), WES HAMPTON (TENOR), AND REGGIE SMITH (TENOR)
SONG LIST:
Shine (Darker The Night, Brighter The Light)
Grateful!
Make The Morning Worth The Midnight
Love ‘Em Where They Are
Right Place, Right Time
The Old Rugged Cross Made The Difference
Revival Broke Out
Rise (Lazarus)- ft. CAIN
If The Lord Wasn’t Walking By My Side
May The Words Of My Mouth
Make Me An Instrument
Fully Alive
Lion Of Judah
THOUGHTS:
The Gaither Vocal Band is back with yet another stellar recording! Shine: The Darker The Night, The Brighter The Light features thirteen songs of hope and inspiration that are sure to delight listeners. The vocal lineup of Bill Gaither, Wes Hampton, Adam Crabb, Todd Suttles, and Reggie Smith (which has been together since 2017) has become one of my favorite iterations of the GVB. Their seamless harmonies and stellar blend are on full display once again with this album.
The album opens with the energetic title track which is one of the lead singles as well. This fun song reminds us to shine the light of Christ in this dark world. “Grateful!” is a mid-tempo tune that praises Christ for His many blessings. Each member shines on this song that simply says: I’m grateful for the gift of life, this day, and the simple things. Bill Gaither takes the lead on the mid-tempo “Make The Morning Worth The Midnight,” which asks God to give us strength to get through dark times. “Love ‘Em Where There Are” is a beautiful, mid-tempo tune featuring Reggie Smith and Adam Crabb that tells how God’s Love meets you where you are in life. The jazzy “Right Place, Right Time” (previously covered by Ernie Haase & Signature Sound among others) gets the GVB treatment here to great effect. Adam Crabb takes the lead on the Gaither classic “The Old Rugged Cross Made The Difference.” This powerful anthem praises Christ for His Sacrifice. Life can’t be sealed in a tomb! I will praise Him forever and ever for the Cross made the difference for me! “Revival Broke Out” is a fun, groovy tune that features each member and tells of revival breaking out and people being saved. Reggie Smith takes the lead (on the first verse) on the worship anthem “Rise (Lazarus)” which features guest vocals from CAIN. This powerful song simply says: We are made new in Christ. Todd Suttles takes the lead on the groovy “If The Lord Wasn’t Walking By My Side.” This fun tune simply says: I don’t know what I’d do if God wasn’t with me. “May The Words Of My Mouth” is another groovy tune that is simply Psalm 19 in song. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight. “Make Me An Instrument” is a beautiful ballad, featuring Wes Hampton, that asks Christ to make us an instrument of His Peace in this dark world. “Fully Alive” is a mid-tempo track that asks the Lord to make us fully alive in His Spirit and fully aware of His Presence. This stellar album closes with “Lion Of Judah,” a rousing anthem of praise.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
THE GVB HAS DONE IT AGAIN! YET ANOTHER INCREDIBLE RECORDING! STELLAR VOCALS, POWERFUL SONGS, AND TOP NOTCH MUSICIANSHIP. HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: “REVIVAL BROKE,” “MAKE THE MORNING WORTH THE MIDNIGHT,” “IF THE LORD WASN’T WALKING BY MY SIDE,” “MAY THE WORDS OF MY MOUTH,” AND “SHINE.”
ONE OF THE BEST ALBUMS OF THE YEAR SO FAR!
5 OUT OF 5 STARS!
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT: www.gaither.com