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From the Vault...
06/05/2011
#1258 |
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info
Bill & Gloria Gaither
"Let Freedom Ring: Live From Carnegie Hall"
© Spring House Records
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track listing
This Land Is Your Land
When We All Get Together
With The Lord
New York City
We Got A Song
For You
God Bless The USA
I Pledge My Allegiance
My Country 'Tis Of Thee
Redeemed
So High
When He Calls I'll Fly Away
Great Day
You'll Never Walk Alone
More Than Wonderful
A Few Good Men
The Star-Spangled Banner
It Is Well (Elisha's Song)
Lean On Me
Battle Hymn Of
The Republic
God Be With You
Let Freedom Ring
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Bill & Gloria Gaither
"Let Freedom Ring: Live From Carnegie Hall"
I am a HUGE fan of Bill Gaither -- especially his group, the Gaither Vocal Band. Bill and his wife Gloria, have
collaborated on many albums. Whether it's the two themselves, or with help from their fellow Christian Homecoming Friends,
their work has inspired what true traditional Christian/Gospel music is -- GREAT MUSIC.
Their 2002 release, Let Freedom Ring: Live From Carnegie Hall reached #1 on the Billboard Christian
Albums Chart. And listening to it, its a no-brainer as to why it reached the highest spot on the chart. (And amazingly
so, how Gaither's music hasn't had as many #1 Christian albums as he should.)
Playing at Carnegie Hall would have to be one of the highest points in any musician's career.
For Gaither, it's really no surprise he would play there, due to how he has achieved his music throughout his career.
The surprise would be if he would never play at Carnegie, yet alone the surprise of having less than a handful of #1
albums, on the Billboard Christian Albums chart. (I'm sure there are other charts where his name at the #1 spot
is heavily mentioned.)
The album begins with the classic, "This Land Is Your Land" a great version indeed, featuring Terry Blackwood,
Sue Dodge, Ernie Haase, and The Talley Trio. The Gaither Vocal Band sings on "When We All Get Together With
The Lord" The Gaither Vocal Band is 'nuff said on this one -- they are just great on this song.
Great harmonies are on "New York City, We Got A Song For You" featuring Mike Allen, Wesley Pritchard, Woody
Wright, and Reggie Smith. "God Bless The USA" by Ivan Parker is a good version, yet not as great as Lee Greenwood's.
The Gaither Vocal Band returns with "I Pledge My Allegiance." It's a good song, and very spiritual. POWERFUL best
describes "My Country 'Tis Of Thee" featuring Mike Allen, Allison Durham Speer, Kim Hopper, and Dean Hopper.
The Martins have the next two songs: "Redeemed" is a song of accapella greatness. Church revival power
has "So High." Russ Taff and Jessy Dixon provide a bluesy gospel feel on "When He Calls I'll Fly Away."
Any music fan SHOULD know "Great Day" by the Old Friends Quartet.
Armond Morales' deep low voice is haunting on "You'll Never Walk Alone." "More Than Wonderful" combines
Christian/Gospel great Sandi Patty, and the soulful voice of Larnelle Harris. Both of these artists have been recording
music since the late 1970s. "A Few Good Men" features Woody Wright, Terry Blackwood, Sherman Andrus, Reggie Smith,
Wesley Pritchard, and Guy Penrod. The Isaacs' "Star-Spangled Version" is beautifully sung.
Also by the Isaacs', "It Is Well (Elisha's Song)" has a great Country/Bluegrass feel. (Fans of Alison Krauss will
like this one.)
"Lean On Me" features Stephen Hill, as it is the Bill Withers classic, [not the Club Nouveau version (thankfully)].
Very soulful, very (black) Gospel. "The Battle Hymn Of The Republic" features Terry Blackwood and David Phelps --
traditional choir sounding. (David Phelps being a member of the Gaither Vocal Band, and Terry Blackwood of The Imperials --
great duet, great music). "God Be With You" features Jessy Dixon. It is very Soulful, and reminds me of Mighty Sam
McClain. The album ends with the title track, very moving, yet a little haunting in a way.
Here's a listing of Bill & Gloria Gaither's Homecoming Friends who participated on Let Freedom Ring: Live From
Carnegie Hall
After listening to this live concert, I am sure that seeing Bill Gaither and his friends is truly an
experience -- Spirtual, moving, perfect harmonies, and religious of course, in the best Chrisitan faith there is.
If you're not a Christian or Gospel admirer, Bill Gaither's music will definitely change that. Hopefully in my
lifetime, I can get a chance to see Gaither and Company in concert.
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Spring House Records
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