popsrocks's Full Review: Gaither and Friends - Christmas in the Country
Though I like Gospel and Country music I don't follow faithfully or many of their performers. I have however been turned onto the Gaither Gospel Series and Christmas In The Country is one of their videos.
This Christmas show opens with a toe tapping and hand clapping song,Come and See What's Happening performed by Ivan Parker and then continues with harmonizing in, Mary Was the First One to Carry the Gospel as performed by Gaither Vocal Band with artists Bill Gaither, David Phelps, and Mark Lowery.
Other performers that night were The Happy Goodmans, Old Friends Quartet, Jack Toney, Brian Carter, Babbie Mason and Guy Penrod, Jeff and Sheri Easter, Buddy Greene, Terry Blackwood, Lisa Daggs, Buddy Mullins, Squire Parsons, Ann Downing, Sarah Delane, Gloria Gaither, Greater Vision and many many others.
This is a Christmas Special that takes place at the beautiful Alabama Theatre in Birmingham, Alabama. All the performers are seated, many wearing their Christmas finest, on stage with a Christmas Country background. Some are on rockers and it's a warm feeling set. The performers get up one at a time and sometimes a few together to continue on with 16 other songs of which many were familiar to me and a couple not. Here's the list.
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
O Come All Ye Faithful
Christmas in the Country
Unspeakable Joy
Joy to the World
O Holy Night
He Drew the Line
Tennessee Christmas
Glory to God in the Highest
Away in a Manger
Sitting by the Fire
Something to Shout About
Christ is Born
Jingle Bells
What a Wonderful World
Love in Any Language
Silent Night
The show is hosted by Bill Gaither and between some of the songs sung by over thirty performers is patter that contains humor with Y2K dated jokes but most is light and fun to listen to. The show is well mixed with high energy songs and solemn prayerful songs all done in country music style. During many of the selections the seated artists join the featured artists in song. The video cuts from artists to the audience, including panoramic shots of the threatre, and back to other artists is well done, smooth and not at all distracting.
While listening to the song Christmas in the Country we are treated to shots of some of the artist's families in home Christmas settings.
There is also a tribute to artist Bob Cain who was to perform in the show and died the day of the show's performance. What A Wonderful World, performed soulfully in this video by Russ Taff, was dedicated to Mr Cain.
The Wrong Number
Into the show we are told of a phone call that came to a home of one of the artists. It was a wrong number but it was a person who was in need. The receiver took it upon himself to get involved and help this person even though the call was not originally for him. He ends the piece saying that he always hopes that when anyone calls in need he's never a "wrong number". This leads to the next song that I cannot say enough about.
O HOLY NIGHT !!
Every Christmas for the last four years, when we have extended family at our home, we gather all family members around the TV to watch one song on the tape, O Holy Night, sung by David Phelps. I can't describe what he does with this Christmas classic. It's even overwhelming for me to watch it at times.
Now please let me mention here that those who have read many of my reviews over the last three years may know that my wife and I are practicing Catholics but I don't talk deeply about my religion or personal beliefs in any detail. We are also very open to the charismatic movement within the church that started in Pittsburgh in 1967 or so. Having said that I believe there may be a few of you who may understand what I am trying to convey next.
In watching this song on the video I get a very emotional feeling. After listening to and watching O Holy Night I am totally used-up, drained of energy. I sit in awe with tears in my eyes. This song is spirit-filled and holy in more than just its title. Realize that this isn't a one time thought. I have been playing this song every Christmas season for the last four years and I always get these feelings.
Phelps is spirit-filled when he starts this song off in a smooth and reverent low tone and slowly builds it up to sounds that truly are heavenly. There is one point when he sings the words "we let all within us praise His Holy Name", listen to it, and it seems at that point it's no longer Phelps but something greater than him belting out those incredible notes.
By the end of the song all the other artists are up joining in song and you could see on their faces that they too are moved by the song and how it was done. Some heads are shaking as if in disbelief of witnessing such power. Many arms are raised to God's Glory. I hesitate to call David Phelps prayerful song of praise a performance because this is a moment and a piece of music that is truly anointed.
My wife and I have decided to give this video to some of our friends and relatives this year for Christmas. Though the show was first presented in 2000 it is a timeless Christmas Season video. The songs and the Christmas spirit makes this well worth owning. In going to Amazon.com where I had some credit to spend I read the first two reviews of this album. I must enter some of the words in reference to O Holy Night,of the top two reviews on the page.
The first one is written by
"Giovani". "...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..."
The second was review was by
"A music fan" "... I also was fortunate to see them live recently. OH HOLY NIGHT is my favorite Christmas song. I have never heard it sung better than David Phelps does, backed by the Homecoming Friends. Simply incredible. You must have the video!..."
Do I hear an Amen!!
I was amazed to hear the same type of witness my wife and I give to this song by others. Maybe I shouldn't have been amazed by their reaction. It's an extraordinary song!
This is a wonderful video to sit and watch when getting into the Christmas season and perfect to wrap presents to. The sound is excellent and though I have hit the rewind button so many times I should have a blister on my finger the quality of the picture is just fine too. We will however be purchasing the DVD copy of the show as gifts.
In Closing
Let me finish by saying anyone who believes in the special day of Christmas MUST listen to O Holy Night as performed by David Phelps in this video at least once in a lifetime. It's unbelievable! I'll now close with the words from a web site Parable.com that describes the full video as such. Join the Gaithers in recalling a simpler time when opening our hearts was as important as opening our gifts..." I enjoy Christmas in the Country every year and the treasure within it of O Holy Night is the best gift I can receive anytime.
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