Customer Reviews

Good News

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I guess you would say I have eclectic tastes in music. I love big band swing, dixieland jazz, George Strait, and Lou Rawls, but I never paid any attention to Southern Gospel until I heard my first Bill Gaither and the Homecoming Friends CD. Now Gaither is at the top of my list, and this CD is among my favorites.

As with most Gaither CD's, this one makes you tap your toes one minute and contemplate matters beyond our real understanding the next. Four tracks always get a replay when I listen to this CD.

Tanya Goodman Sykes does a marvelous job on the smoothly swinging version of "That Old-Time Religion" on track 4. This might be the best Tanya Goodman Sykes presentation I have heard.

Russ Taff brings down the house with a lot of help from his friends on the stunning "When He Set Me Free" on track 10.

Stephen Hill does his usual magnificent job on "Thank You, Jesus" on track 11. Lillie Knauls, Jessie Dixon, and others accept the challenge and keep the good times rolling when Hill relinquishes the microphone.

Then, the Martins, after Michael English changes the mood to a more sombre one on track 12, bring the listeners to their knees with the hauntingly beautiful "Except for Grace" on track 13.

Gaither fans already love this music. If you haven't yet experienced it, this might be a good CD to try first.

I saw this program when it aired back in 2000. In addition, my grandmother, who lives in Crestview, Florida, videotaped this program on her VCR. I especially emphasize "The Ninety and Nine" as one of the greatest gospel standards of all time, because it depicts God as a shepherd. He leaves the ninety and nine to find that one sheep that is lost. This lost sheep could have been either you or me. A longtime organist at my church passed away in May, and I donated the video to my church in her memory. She was of distant kin to me; her name was Mrs. Helen Duncan. Donnie Sumner and the Talley Trio will make your hair stand up on end when they sing "The Ninety and Nine."

Did you ever hear a song and just have to "stop" what you are doing and listen! Just purely listen to? That is what the gem of this collection is, a soulful emotive rendition of "I'm Free" by Lynda Randall.... I'm free praise the Lord, free at last.... This song is worth the price of the CD.

Ever since I saw the Gaithers on television, I have admired the large touring gospel group. If you are unfamiliar with the Gaithers, they are headed by Bill and Gloria Gaither and the group consists of a variety of professional gospel singers, from the past and present. They have come together to give us their wonderful inspirational, fun performances that feature dedicated happy faces, toe tapping, hand clapping, mellow or rousing gospel music.

And that's the way "Good News" starts out, a finger snapping, toe tapping, chorus of melding melodic voices. Likewise is the uplifting spiritual tune that enunciates perfect sounds of mixed voices in "He Rolled My Heavy Burdens All Away."

Tanya Goodman Sykes sings a slower version of "That Old Time Religion" which originated in the late 19th century. It is suggested that back then Negro spirituals found acceptance in white revival circles. Another preferred is "I'm Longing For Jesus"; this song makes me want to sing along!

Just listen to the upbeat and soulful voice of Russ Taff on "He Set Me Free". And equally entertaining is "Thank You Jesus" .....you should have been there when he set me free..... The chorus is superb, musically and vocally. This CD is uplifting, fun, somber, and very melodic all in one. .....Rizzo

The 1999 Good News was the first Gaither Homecoming Series that sparked my attention. After viewing them on TV, it took me a while to get hooked, but I did. The theme is good news and a happy feeling songs that are shared throughout. I will never forget the first time I listened to Linda Randle and that deep soulful voice on "I'm Free." It's the kind of song that makes you stop and listen. Equally, another highlight is Russ Taff "When He Set Me Free." Russ Taff commands attention when he sings. The Best of Russ Taff

I love the two upbeat songs, "I'm Longing for Jesus to Come Back" by LeBreeska Hemphil, Howard McDuff and John McDuff, while Anthony Burger plays the melodica. The other upbeat fun songs is by Homecoming Friends "My Burdens Have Rolled Away", just listen as the different singing parts come together.

You will enjoy the soulful music "Thank You Jesus" by Stephen Hill/Lillie Knauls/Jessy Dixon/Babbie Mason/Lynda Randle/Meadowlark Lemon/Buddy Green. This one is dynamic. The Cathedrals perform "Trying to Get a Glimpse of the Other Side".

We are told that Michael English The Prodigal Comes Home has returned to the Friends, and he was not sure he would be accepted, however, we do not learn what happened. English gives a tender and loving hug to Vestal Goodman, reminding me she may have had a role in his return. He sings "Lord, Feed Your Children." A poem is read by Jimmie Jones.

The Speer Family First Family of Gospel Music makes an appearance and sing "What a Meeting in The Air." Bill Gaither mentions that brother Brock Speer was having in his last days at the hospital, but his family wanted to sing this night. Brock Speer died in 1999 at 78 years.

Other songs include: "That Old Time Religion" by Tanya Goodman Skyes; "The Ninety and Nine" by Donnie Sumner and The Talleys; "Except for Grace" by the Martins; "You Can Lean on Me" by Babbie Mason; "Grace Greater Than Our Sin" and "Good News" by the Homecoming Friends, while the Gaither Vocals Band does "Good, Good News.

This is a wonderful concert, just to watch the happy faces, the tears, the smiles, and the fun. Rex Nelon, George Younce, Danny Gaither, Ann Downing, David Phelps, LuLu Roman, and The Goodmans are here too. I enjoy this concert!! If you want more of Lynda Randle, The Best of Lynda Randle and an amazing concert performance A Tribute to Mahalia Jackson .....Rizzo

I had seen this special on TV many times and found it so moving I just had to have the CD. It has been in my player for the past 2 weeks and I just enjoy it more everyday. Almost all the songs are upbeat with wonderful singing. The song by Michael English (Lord Feed Your Children) is without a doubt one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. Also, the song by the Speer family (Meeting in the Air) was a touching tribute to their brother. This CD shouldn't be missed by anyone who enjoys the Gaither homecoming friends.

This cd speaks for itself. The music is so uplifting. one of my favorite songs on this cd is When He Set Me Free sung by Russ Taff and I'm Free sung by Lynda Randle with David Phelps. Everyone else is just as wonderful.

I saw this program aired on television, when you used to view it on TNN back in 2000, and my grandmother also videotaped it on her VCR. I became motivated enough to purchase a cassette of the program, which includes my favorite of all times, "The Ninety and Nine" that Donnie Sumner sang with the Talley Trio. A longtime organist at my church passed away in May, and I donated the video to my church in her memory. She was of distant kin to me; her name was Mrs. Helen Duncan. I especially emphasize "The Ninety and Nine" as one of the greatest gospel standards of all time.