Reviewed by Ian Hayter

This family of Bible belters (in pretty well every sense of that phrase) have been bringing their own particular brand of country-tinged Southern gospel to America's churchgoers since the early 1960s, first as The Hopper Brothers, then as The Hopper Brothers And Connie and more recently (since Connie married one of them) simply The Hoppers. Their music is a classic example of the genre, with huge orchestral arrangements behind the jangling guitars, soaring French horns and booming drums, key changes that are as subtle as trans-continental truckers changing gear, liberal doses of the language of Zion ("Jerusalem" - not the William Blake version), a generous sprinkling of mixed metaphors, good ol' American patriotism ("We Are America", etc), enough syrupy nostalgia to sink a righteous battleship ("Old Hymns") and a vocal mix that includes a growling bass (think of The Blackwood Brothers and go down half an octave) with some nifty male voice harmonies and a raucous soprano. It's the kind of stuff that has made The Gaithers their millions and seems to have done The Hoppers pretty nicely too (judging by the photoshopped smiles on their group portraits). There is something peculiarly American and strangely inspiring and uplifting about it all, though, which is why, no doubt, Spring Hill Music have re-packaged these two albums (2003's 'Great Day' and 2000's 'Power') as a 2 For 1 double disc. If you're looking for 24 tracks of good-time, finger-lickin', God-glorifyin', roof-raisin', faith-affirmin' praise, then look no further and take this little beauty home y'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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