Reviewed by Philip Croft

If like me you think that Southern gospel sounds dated on those Homecoming Friends releases then a listen to this reissue will remind you just how far many of today's artists have actually come. Originally released in the 1970s this new freshly remastered version features songs mostly written by Bill Gaither during the period 1964-1970, a time when liberal use of the Hammond organ on everything was believed to give it an almost heavenly sound to those staid harmonies. Now sadly it just sounds a musical anachronism. I have no doubt that if I was to play this to my mother-in-law who is in her seventies she would absolutely love it to bits as would many others of her generation. And no one can doubt that Gaither's best compositions, like the title track, have real longevity. But with a playing time of less than 34 minutes in length (which, okay, was about the norm for the time) this is an album which hasn't worn well at all.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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