Search - Bill Gaither & Gloria, Homecoming Friends :: Christmas in the Country

Masterpiece Found

Giovanna | Sonoma, CA USA | 01/31/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am ecstatic to find this CD (bought the video too!). On Christmas Eve 2000 my TV was on late and just when I was about to turn it off, I inadvertently hit the channel button instead of the power off. Whatever channel was struck, at that moment, a singer began to sing a Christmas carol and for a few minutes I was spellbound hearing the song "O Holy Night" being sung like I had never heard it sung before. I was stunned with the beauty of this rendition and thought about it for one entire year wondering if I would ever again find this vocalist. By pure coincidence, while channel flipping tonight, I happened to see the Bill Gaither Group on TV and recognized the vocalist. I then searched Amazon Music under Gaither and saw the review that described this song incredibly sung by David Phelps. I listened to the sample and knew I had finally found this treasure. I am grateful that technology supports such searches. I feel blessed to have found this beautiful gift which will be shared with my family every Christmas from now on."

Another wonerful Homecoming concert from the Gaithers

Giovanna | 11/28/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"There really is no such thing as a bad Homecoming CD or video. Every one of them contains enough wonderful moments to make them essential purchases for all Southern Gospel fans. So, why did I only give this one four stars, instead of five, you ask. In comparing it to their other Christmas concert video, Joy to the World, I felt this one didn't quite measure up to the magical holiday feeling of the first one. I can't really put my finger on why.There are some great songs on this one though. My favorites were Tennessee Christmas, featuring Babbie Mason and Guy Penrod. I do have to laugh at the verse Guy Penrod sings. He does a wonderful job, but the words don't really fit him. He sings about being attracted to the glamour and excitment of Hollywood. If there is anybody who would be less likely to head for LALA land, I can't imagine who it would be. That's not a criticsm. It just amuses me to hear him sing this.Bob Cain passed away the day this CD/video was made. Russ Taff sings his theme song, What a Wonderful World. Frankly, I have to say he sings it better than Bob Cain did.One song which really did capture the sparkle of Christmas is the medley sung by Greater Vision. If you find yourself repeatedly hitting the replay button on that song, you should buy the Greater Vision Christmas Album, which is one of the all time best Southern Gospel Christmas CDs.I advise buying Christmas in the Country. However, if you don't already own the Giather's Joy to the World Cd or video and ony want to buy one Gaither Christmas project, opt for Joy to the World over this one."

Wow! I'd Love To Have Been There For This Recording!

James M. Loveday | Bastrop, Louisiana United States | 11/26/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Christmas In The Country is the newest release for the holidays from the Gaither Gospel Series. I own the video of this concert and had a blast watching it. The singing is superb, the song selection has everything from "standards" to some new and soon to be standards. Highlights include Babbie Mason singing, "Tennessee Christmas" (which could play on secular radio), Russ Taff singing "What A Wonderful World" in tribute to a "Homecoming Friend", Bob Cain that passed away recently after a bout of cancer. The Happy Goodmans bring the house down with a song called, "Unspeakable Joy". My favorite moment came when George Younce (formerly with The Cathedral Quartet), Jake Hess (A gospel legend), Ernie Haas (tenor for the Cathedral Quartet), and Wesley Pritchard (a regular on the Homecoming Series videos) sing "Glory To God In The Highest". They could have sung that all night long and I think the crowd would have loved it! Check this out!"